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A MASTER OF
THERE WILL NEVER BE
A MASTERFULLY
SKETCHING
THE
“I ALWAYS PREFER THE
HARMONY
MUNSTEAD
LES BOIS DES
CHINTHURST
LITTLE
THE MAN, THE
Artist spotlight sir edwin lutyens
ARTIST
A MASTER OF
MANORS
For Jesse and me, few names evoke as much admiration and reverence as that of British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944). With his keen eye for proportions and attention to detail, Lutyens crafted homes that continue to inspire generations of designers over a century after their creation. Today, we delve into a few of our favourite homes designed by Lutyens that exhibit timeless proportions and character and explore why they remain a perennial source of inspiration for us.
THERE WILL NEVER BE
GREAT ARCHITECTS OR
GREAT ARCHITECTURE
WITHOUT GREAT
PATRONS.
A MASTERFULLY
DIVERSE PORTFOLIO
Lutyens was responsible for designing over 800 works, ranging from large cathedrals to war memorials to small country homes. Despite this, a lot of people only really know Lutyens as an Arts and Crafts architect, a design style that prioritizes natural building materials and hand craftsmanship. These are often asymmetrical, rambling cottages with steep roof pitches. However, Lutyens experimented with symmetry quite consistently in his works and a fairly small portion of his projects alluded to this architectural design style. This is put into perspective in the depiction on the left, created by Carl Laubin, who chose 150 of Lutyens’ works and drew them to scale within the same frame.
SKETCHING
BENEFITTING
PROPORTIONS
We find inspiration in the idea that Lutyen's work, now revered by fans across the globe, is rooted in the same architectural principles we practice as pillars of our creative process. This realization at first deepened our respect for his work immensely while also evoking a sense of pride in ours. However, this inspiration was far more simple and visceral when we first saw the Goddards, one of our favourite designs by Lutyens. Upon approach, we admired the authenticity of his work being so warmly traditional. The chimneys offered strikingly unique proportions and were constructed using red brick, adding to the sense of traditional countryside charm. The gable proportions are paired with the rustic cladding and roof tiles. The gardens are lush and positioned to frame the architecture in a complimentary way. When you look at pretty much any feature on the exterior of this home we can find inspiration in it for being so authentically unique and understated at the same time. Everything flows beautifully.
THE
GODDARDS
What we really admired was the consideration he put towards the proportions, the authenticity of the materials he used, and the connection the home had to the surrounding landscape and the gardens. The dramatically tall chimneys, unique roofline, and rustic facade were integral to this art piece, and would be insignificant on their own. This is the true definition of a home that is far more valuable than the sum of its parts. To achieve this, Lutyens blended architectural styles, incorporating both the Arts and Crafts and Tudor design styles, all within the format of a traditional country home. The combination of these styles and their respective features creates an eclectically timeless building that captures a visceral sense of warmth.
Goddards, located in the picturesque countryside of Surrey. Built in the early 20th century, this charming country retreat captures the essence of English country living with its welcoming interiors, cozy fireplaces, and meticulously landscaped gardens.
“I ALWAYS PREFER THE
MOST NOBLE MATERIALS,
BUT I CAN NEVER GET
THEM.”
HARMONY
BETWEEN
FORM AND
FUNCTION
Lutyens seamlessly incorporates landscape design into his houses, creating a harmonious dialogue between architecture and nature that enhances the beauty of both. For many of his country houses, he called on the expertise of landscape architect Gertrude Jekyll. At the heart of Lutyens’ architectural legacy lies a deep appreciation for classical proportions and symmetry. Whether designing a grand country estate or a humble cottage, Lutyens approached each project with meticulous attention to detail, striving to achieve a perfect harmony between form and function. His homes, characterized by balanced facades and carefully calculated dimensions, offer a sense of timeless elegance that transcends the trends of the day.
MUNSTEAD
WOOD
Munstead Wood, the home of Gertrude Jekyll, is another iconic home worth mentioning, launching Lutyens as a well-known Arts and Crafts architect. Jekyll, of course, designed the gardens leading to one of the most prolific double acts in the architectural scene in England. It is an example of how prolific and pioneering Lutyens was, designing this home in 1897 when he was 28 years old. He was getting married at the time, and he was searching for work when he met Jekyll. For Jesse and me, the chimneys are once again an incredibly design forward feature of the home, peeking out of the roofline so characteristically.
LES BOIS DES
MOUTIERS
Lutyens is seen experimenting with a mixture of Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts styles when he created Les Bois Des Moutiers. This home is positioned within the rolling hills of Normandy close to the sea and was done once again in collaboration with Gertrude Jekyll. This sprawling estate features a rustic exterior, tall chimneys, a rather contemporary two-storey window wall at the rear. It is set amongst a vast landscape and features a large park, and carefully designed gardens that beautiful frame Lutyens’ work. The proportions of the dormers and the dramatically sloped roofline are some of our favourite features.
CHINTHURST
HILL
Chinthurst Hill, in Surrey was another architecturally significant manor that we greatly admire. The history of Chinthurst Hill can be traced back several centuries. The estate was originally part of the Chinthurst Park estate, which was owned by the wealthy Evelyn family in the 19th century. The current mansion on the estate dates back to the late 19th or early 20th century and is built in the traditional English country house style with Tudor influences. Medieval window detailing suggests that it was subject to modification in the Elizabethan era. The home is clad in Bargate stone, obtained by a local quarry. The home is built into the hill, creating a wonderful layering of different windows, entry and exit points, terraces, gable forms and roof heights. The continuous wall and roofline mixture is typical of Lutyens’ work To reach the home, you drive down a long winding driveway, as the home is tucked away so carefully into the surrounding landscape.
LITTLE
THAKEHAM
Lutyens is seen experimenting with a mixture of the Art Nouveau and the arts and crafts style when he creates Les Bois Des Moutiers. This home is positioned within the rolling hills of Normandy close to the sea and was done once again in collaboration with Gertrude Jekyll. This sprawling estate features a rustic exterior, tall chimneys, a rather contemporary two storey window wall at the rear. It is set amongst a vast landscape and features a large park, and carefully designed gardens that beautiful frame Lutyens work. The proportions of the dormers and the dramatically sloped roofline are some of our favourite features.
THE MAN, THE
MYTH, THE
LEGEND
While architectural styles may come and go, the classical proportions employed by Lutyens have a universal appeal that remains as relevant today as it was a century ago. But perhaps the most inspiring aspect of Lutyens’ design proportions is their ability to evoke a sense of warmth and distinguishably rustic polish. These architectural gems, nestled amidst the serene landscapes of rural England and France, showcase Lutyens’ skill at blending architecture with nature, creating spaces that exude warmth, comfort, and elegance.
Sir Edwin Lutyens’ English country homes stand as shining examples of his architectural genius and his enduring legacy. We strongly recommend visiting any of these stunning countryside escapes as they serve as a reminder of the timeless beauty and appeal of Lutyens’ designs, a fitting tribute to his lasting impact on the world of architecture.
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John-Luke Sahlani
