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June 9, 2020 - 11:45am
Back in 2015 there was a competition to design a new library for Lambeth Palace. My scheme was up against the great and the good of the architectural establishment. I decided to design a Gothic style library reminiscent of the other buildings of Lambeth Palace. To avoid a huge tower with no windows overshadowing the garden, I decided to put all the archive space underground. It was a concept that would be more detailed and rationalised if my design was chosen by the judges. It is extremely rare for traditional designs like mine to win prestigious architectural competitions and so it came as no surprised when my scheme was rejected at the first available moment.
I had almost forgotten about my entry when I saw the finished library built. In fairness, I do not actually think it is too bad. But as a little trip down Memory Lane, I rummaged around some old drawers and found my entry. It was not drawn up in any great detail because it was rejected so early on. For a bit of fun, I posted it on Twitter and to my surprise it got a massive response from people who seemed mystified that a traditional design which aimed to emulate the Gothic context of Lambeth Palace was not seriously considered. Many architects endearingly leapt to the defence of the built library and commenting that it was somehow in bad taste that I posted this image, or ‘shameful bullying’ as one tweeter said. Admittedly it did provoke many to be quite rude about the built library but I certainly was not. I thought, in the spirit of openness, it would be interesting for people to know what other architects suggested.
On reflection I was foolish to even think that The Church of England would consider a traditional design. They are an institution whose greatest resource is their traditions but instead of embracing them, they seem to prefer ignoring them in a rather sad and desperate attempt to be ‘trendy’ and ‘relevant to the young’. It’s all rather embarrassing; like people over forty disco dancing or wearing hoodies. I am not a regular churchgoer, but on the very rare occasions that I do find myself at a church service, I have to endure guitars and clapping rather than the serenity of a nice old hymn or the beautiful poetry of the King James Version. The Church of England’s attitude to architecture is just the same and my scheme for the library is a casualty of this rather unfortunate attitude.
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SubscribeSurely there is a mistake. That picture must be of a prison not a library.
Your design has warmth and beauty. The new library is cold and soul-destroying. That’s all that needs to be said.
I am not a regular church goer either. And Mr Terry summarises why; the church has thrown away faith and tradition and calmness in favour of hipness, endless “modernisation”, and discordance.
Agreed ““ and I would add decreasing relevance and attendance.
The Church of England was showing signs of going off the rails in the 1960s. By the time the re-draft of the Book of Common Prayer was released, it was clear that the “children of a lesser god” had assumed control of the organization. It has continued its drift into irrelevancy ever since.
There are many ways in which protesters could save more black lives than via protesting. Depriving black youths of their guns and knives is an obvious example.
Seizing counterfeit money (ironically, often used to launder profits from slavery, amongst other international organised crimes) might also help.
Best keep it quiet though, or you’ll be called a racist.
The ugliness of much modern architecture is part of the reason we have a housing crisis. People worry about what will be built in their area. A return to beauty, proportion and symmetry would be appreciated by many and reduce resistance to new builds.
You may imagine you’re doing good by donating your fee, but by describing George Floyd’s death as a murder is premature, stokes unrest, and undermines the judicial process.
The officer in question may have been charged with murder, but he is entitled to his day in court with no outside influence from anyone, far less journalists with an influential reach.
it would appear the evidence from the Official Coroners report provides mitigation.
It will come as no surprise to me if the charges are reduced or, indeed, the officer is absolved.
Here is an interesting discussion by two lawyers on YouTube about the situation: https://www.youtube.com/wat…
I’ve heard of several people and even vicars abandoning the CoE to become Catholics.
There’s plenty of space in reformed Protestantism for beauty and tradition; the Catholic church continues to espouse dangerously heterodox ideas about the Pope, the Sacraments, Salvation of works and Marian cultism.
“I had almost forgotten about my entry when I saw the finished library built. In fairness, I do not actually think it is too bad.”
You’re too kind. The finished library is just another brick box. Your design was a thing of beauty.
A report in the Irish Times stated that of the 68000 Irish visitors to Cheltenham only one tested positive on returning home. It also highlighted that the pubs in Ireland were packed with racing fans watching the festival on TV.
I think this article was doomed to fail in comparing risks, although the conclusion has merits. It’s clear to me that outside contacts must be far safer than indoor ones, except that every such gathering always makes me ask; what are the sanitary arrangements? Where do all these people relieve themselves and wash their hands?
Another variable briefly touched on by Dr Javid is the amount of shouting, to which I’d add heavy breathing following exertion.
Finally, I imagine that many people travelled in from all over the country, often by public transport or vehicles, and following intense mixing, travelled back the same way. If I were an ambitious virus, I’d rate this a ‘must’, to attend.
Tom, the one thing you haven’t considered is the likelihood of an event in Britain altering anything (government policy, individual police behaviour, a random person in the mid-West learning the correct way to spell common words) in the USA at all. I suspect the chances of protests here “prevent[ing] some percentage of them” to be so close to zero as makes no difference.
The new library is bland, austere, even threatening, adding nothing of beauty even though it is a home for the literary arts.
No doubt in my mind which is preferable but just out of interest how much difference in price would there be? Wouldn’t the Gothic one need more expensive materials and craftsmen? I have often wondered whether many modern buildings are ugly just because it comes down to cost
Buildings do have a direct effect on the human consciousness. Whilst
not wishing to slavishly ape traditional styles there is something
within the styling and proportions of these buildings which are both
timeless and inspiring. Having grown up in an industrial town ravaged
by the self reverential architects from the 60,s and 70’s I can
clearly remember the soul crushing ennui of the environment which
almost provoked antisocial acts of defiance. Even then in my early
teens I can remember thinking if it looks like a toilet it will be
used like a toilet.
Well I think it probably is….
Even the traditional churches have small congregations though. My church in Wales has only 15 people left. No new person stays for very long.
The atheists are winning and people would rather spend an extra hour in bed on a Sunday than an hour in church. Trendy or old, there is absolutely no way of getting people into church. They are absolutely determined to keep away. Some are even afraid of it.
I hate that, but it looks like that is the general direction with no sign of slowing down.
Mr Terry’s design looks like a rather charming Gothic Revival pastiche – not a snowball’s chance in h*ll of being accepted by the C of E in 2020. Instead we have a building more like Walter Gropius on a very bad day.
In Christchurch (NZ) the original library had to be rebuilt following the earthquake. The new one ignored it’s Church of England Settlers even having it’s dominant signage in Maori. There were fewer than 500 Maori in the whole province (Canterbury) when the first four ships arrived. 121 years later Maori made up less than 2% of the population. Cristchurch is also famous for it’s neogothic architecture. It could have been based on a Wrightson’s Woolstore?
https://my.christchurchcity…
https://www.youtube.com/wat…
Looks spiritless. Surprise surprise
“If it’s so easy to argue that Milton Keynes has worked, why do we hate it so?”
“We” don’t, apart from a tiny minority so arrogant they use the Royal Prerogative to describe themselves.
I don’t think either of the two designs shown should have been chosen. The first is too much in bondage to mock Gothic, the second is soulless. Surely something of beauty but reflecting our age could have been produced. My experience of architects however is that it’s too much to ask.
The greatest resource of the Church of England is the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the empowering of the Holy Spirit to make it known to every generation whether it be accepting or resistant. True there has been decline, but people who think the Church is dying are fooling themselves. There are many signs of spiritual renewal and there are vibrant churches which are growing. Part of that renewal is the blossoming of fresh,new music for worship which in the most wisely led churches are used alongside traditional hymns. I would suggest the author and others go to church more often and visit a number of gatherings for worship in different churches and get a broader picture than they possess.
A lot of people make the mistake that the Church exists to pander to their aesthetic tastes whether it be in music or liturgy. That is not the right spirit in which to approach the worship of the Living God, Father Son and Holy Spirit.
Seemingly a minority opinion on here, but I have to say I wholeheartedlly agree with the rejection of Francis Terry’s design. In the comments below someone has described it as a “rather charming Gothic Revival pastiche”. It was probably meant as a compliment but I would regard that description as the best reason for rejecting it. Do we really need another example from the Prince of Wales Poundbury school of architecture? I would much rather have a good example of 21st century architecture. I suspect people throughout history have railed against the current architectural style, which subsequent generations will more than likely come to appreciate.
As for the Church, of course it needs to change if it wants to survive. Even the Catholic Church is reducing the “bells and smells” and reaching out to the young. Our local Anglican parish church has fully embraced the things that Francis Terry dislikes most and as a result has attracted a significant congregation of young families and has some of the most well attended services in the county. Personally as a non-believer, I don’t care either way but I am impressed by what they have achieved.
Across the UK there are thousands of CofE churches that still have very traditional services that would be right up your street. Instead of grumbling about the churches that have modernised their service style to serve a younger congregation, why don’t you get involved in one of the surviving traditional ones instead? You’d be amazed at the difference you could make if you turned up!
Perhaps its just easier to grumble about the death of a community-participation activity that you weren’t prepared to participate in regularly enough to sustain it.
Wouldn’t the Gothic one cost a lot more? There’s no doubt which I prefer but I have often wondered how much difference does it make to the cost of you have anything other than a concrete and steel cube.
The fundamental difference between the two designs shown above is that the gothic revival one would age well, even should it fall into disrepair. The brick box will just look more awful and menacing, year by year, as is the case with all brutalist architecture. I suppose at least they didn’t use shuttered concrete.
Actually, it reminds me of a crematorium.
I love your writing Tom and read it all. But just this once I suspect you had a contract and had to write something and thought ““ oh heaven’s what can I write this time! Good in all other ways though.
Fascinating. Makes me want to read his books properly and even perhaps visit London to see these places, if that is still possible. I thought it was all just a modern wasteland, Heathrow is as near as I would normally go & escape back to the West as soon as possible.