Useful Books: British Architecture

 

These books highlight general architecture styles throughout our history, whereas some specific kinds of architecture - such as church architecture, for instance - will have their own article. Like the first one in the series (WW2 Defences & Airfields) these are ones that I've found incredibly useful, not only for article reference & information but also because they are very enjoyable reads, especially the first three.

I'm adding more photos of these books because they also contain so many fabulous illustrations and photographs.

British Architectural Styles by Trevor Yorke

Countryside Books 2009. ISBN: 978 1 84674 082 4

This first one is not only the smallest and easiest to use but also the most useful. In fact, I'd go as far to say that if you only want a precise overview of British architecture then stop right here and go no further, lol. However, if you want to learn more about specific details of architecture and delve a lot deeper, then carry on! ;)

Packed full of lovely drawings - and the odd photo - which show the overall style of each era, there are also some odd snippets of interesting history as well as information about the architecture itself. It's also slender and light enough to slip into a backpack, bag or even a wide coat pocket. Nice and handy when on your travels or just wandering around town.

I do apologise for the photos, btw. I'm not sure what happened but, as I've been using my little digital point and shoot camera for the book photos instead of my usual 35mm camera, I might have been too close for it to focus properly. It was also a dull, cloudy day and I didn't want to wait for a sunny day, which are in rather short supply at the moment. Anyway, they give you an idea, hopefully.

How to Read Buildings by Carol Davidson Cragoe

Ivy Press 2009. ISBN: 978 0 7136 8672 2 

This is a very close second. Each chapter covers aspects of architecture, such as windows, roofs, etc, exploring how they've evolved and changed throughout each architectural era. Very useful for the names of things, too.

In this particular format of chapters it's very easy to see not only how specific features have evolved but also certain styles of buildings, such as castles and palaces in the page seen below. And below that, decorative features throughout the different eras.

Sorry about the inclusion of my hand, by the way, but it's quite a thick book and too chunky to allow the pages to stay open on their own.

Rice's Architectural Primer by Matthew Rice

Country Life 2009. ISBN: 978 0 7475 9748 3

A quick word of warning. There is also a large format book titled Rice's Language of Buildings, which I bought it thinking it was a different book. Unfortunately, it's exactly the same as the Architectural Primer but just with a different title and cover. I wasn't best pleased but I'd ordered it online and sending stuff back is difficult for me so I kept it for now.

Another close second, it's incredibly detailed with names for every tiny section of architectural aspects (parts of a column, for instance) as well as a very comprehensive overall view of each era, along with detailed history so that buildings can be recognised as to when they were built. The drawings, executed by the author himself, are absolutely charming. And there are lots of them on almost every page.  

The drawings also delightfully include the odd person lounging against a wall smoking a cigarette, walking past with their dog, vandalising a telephone box or, as seen on the page below, pouring boiling oil from a tower onto the heads of enemies! 

Prefabs by Elisabeth Blanchet and Sonia Zhuravlyova

Historic England 2018. IBSN: 978 1 84802 351 2

This is great for anyone interested in these lovely small houses that were built after WWII due to housing shortages. Intended only until more permanent ones could be built, they were quickly erected from prefabricated pieces and expected to last only a short time. However, there are still some in occupation, many saved from demolition because they are much loved by their residents and are part of a long-lived community.  Great history and photos from then to now.

Dealing with the conception and the buildings themselves - how they were built, different types and construction methods, etc - up to today with photos and interviews with current residents along with how they have evolved to more modern standards, with some preserved as they began.

 

House: British Domestic Architecture by Philippa Lewis

Prestel. ISBN: 978 3 7913 4556 7

This is a fabulous book; a large one which might be mistaken for a coffee table book, but it's chockful of information and photos of all styles of domestic architecture and well worth a proper read through. From the humble modern flats to manor houses, with all the lovely cottages, bungalows, houses and everything else.

Lots of information about architecture and the different style eras, the chapter headings not only including the type of building but also such things as windows, roofs, fanlights, garden gates and everything else you can think of.

Victorian House Style by Linda Osband

David & Charles. ISBN: 0 7153 9841 5

Another great book, which I find really useful as well as good to read. It highlights everything about Victorian homes; not only architectural but also as an excellent interior design and source book. 

For both Victorian home owners who want to emulate the design style and those who enjoy or are learning about architecture and interior design per se. Also very informative for people like me who love taking photos of buildings and writing about them! ;)

Coincidentally, I seem to have the same amount of books as the WW2 Defence ones, which you can link to from here if you'd like to read it. Actually, I do have quite a few more architectural ones but they're somewhat redundant as they aren't as useful as these and I never even need to open them.

And that's about it for this article. I'll be writing posts for books of other kinds of architecture sometime later on, such as ecclesiastical and local south-west building resources.

I also have a few books about specific architects, which I bought for Yule and my birthday, so I might do an article about those along with artists of architectural paintings. Lots of books! :)

Next up is Rougemont House & Gardens, which I wanted to follow the Rougemont Castle articles but I was waiting until I could go back to take more photos. Sadly, I put my back out three times in the last couple of months and the third time left me unable to walk more than a short distance and with a lot of pain and exhaustion - plus the problem of getting on a bus!  So, I'm going to go with what I've got for now in case I can't travel again. My age is catching up with me!

Onwards and upwards, lol! Cheers. :)