The English home

Preface

Along preface would be out of place for this work, as the Duke of Argyll has very kindly written an Introduction which explains succinctly the objects we had in writing this book.

We can only hope that our attempt to show the why and wherefore " in the building of the home may to some slight extent stimulate the general interest in Architecture.

We have had the manuscript in hand during the last three years, and its publication has been unavoidably delayed owing to various causes.

BANISTER F. FLETCHER H. PHILLIPS FLETCHER

29 New Bridge Street LuDGATE Circus, E.G.

June ist^ igio

INTRODUCTION BY HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF ARGYLL, K.T.

OUR Home! How best to build it for comfort and beauty ?

So many things go to the making of an ideal house, and yet how little do many of us concern ourselves with its construction or with the reasons for the particular design of each separate part, the nature of the floors we walk over, the walls which protect us from the cold and heat, and the roofs that afford us shelter from the weather !

It is but too true that the education of most of us includes but little study of architecture — the oldest of all the arts — which throug^hout successive aofes has been the outcome of progressive civilization.

It is the one art upon which we are always dependent, whether in the secluded village or the crowded town. The lowly country cottage, the stately town house or castle, all in their place must have their suitable architectural form. In our public schools we are taught something of the dwellers in many lands with various climates, and but little of their dwellings.

But our own habitation where we spend the greater part of our lives often remains a secret as to its construction, which we are mostly content to leave to others, although the practical usefulness of our business

vii viii THE ENGLISH HOME

premises, the grandeur and dignity of our public buildings and churches, the effective treatment of our bridges, and the general aspect of our streets depend upon the adoption of suitable architectural treatment, the application of sound architectural principles, and the co-ordination of the various parts of the plan.

People are beginning to show a little interest in town-planning as a matter of national concern, and the sequel of this may be that architecture will take its place as a necessary part of any liberal education, for it teaches men not only to know but to do the right thing in the right place in the matter of building.

In Stalky Jtmior Rudyard Kipling makes someone say that he thought all floors were of solid wood, instead of having joists or beams of timber at intervals supporting thin floor-boards.

It has been suggested to the Brothers Fletcher that a book written in a terse and popular style and giving concise information about details of the house would be of practical use and interest to the public. Many books have been published dealing with small houses, but they are mostly of the scrap-book type of "pretty pictures" collected by the amateur.

This book attempts to explain the "why and wherefore " of things in building and to draw attention to essentials in design and construction from the point of view of the layman.

Messrs. Fletcher have dealt with sanitary construction at some length in their book upon Architectural Hygiene but that work is written more especially for the architect.

INTRODUCTION ix

It has been their endeavour in this book to use no perplexing technical terms which cannot be easily explained and understood.

It has been sought so to divide the subject as to deal concisely in each chapter with one portion of the house or its adjuncts. The book commences with an historical review of the development of the English Home, and the continuing chapters deal with the details necessary to promote health and comfort in a modern house. A number of examples with short explanations of small homes executed by various architects are given. In addition to the illustrations of houses designed by the authors, Messrs. Arthur T. Bolton, Walter Cave, E. Guy Dawber, Forsyth and Maule, Arthur Keen, E. L. Lutyens, Maurice H. Pocock, A. N. Prentice, M. H. Baillie Scott, Harrison Townsend, and C. F. A. Voysey have kindly lent copies of some of their works for reproduction.

By this means a number of comprehensive and completed structures have been illustrated, showing how various architects have dealt with different problems that have been referred to them. The small illustrations explanatory of the printed matter are placed in juxtaposition therewith, thus obviating as far as possible the necessity of searching for illustrations in other parts of the work, though frequent cross references are given for the use of those desiring fuller information upon any point.

Takinor the house from the commencement to the completion, this little book contributes to the right understanding and practical knowledge of all those

X THE ENGLISH HOME

small things which in these days go to build up the English Home, which is the envy and the ideal of all other nations of the world.

We have in this book two practical architects of large experience giving information and advice in a popular, concise, and convenient form to the increasing number of the general public who take an interest in the design and construction of the houses in which they live. I think they have succeeded in this. The book may also assist the reader in dealing successfully with local builders and craftsmen when initiating small repairs and alterations.

It is possible that the summarized suggestions may help to crystallize the somewhat vague notions of many who wish to build with reo^ard to the kind of structure they deem desirable, and it may give them some approximate notion of the cost it would entail.

It may also enable some of us to have more or less mature ideas of our requirements before we consult with our architects, which will greatly facilitate the preparation of preliminary sketches ; for every house should Dossess its distinctive character, which should reflect the sentiment of the occupant, quite apart from the professional impress of the architect's hand.

ARGYLL

2 1st Aprils igio

Contents

CHAPTER PACiE

I. An Historical Review of the English Home . i

H. The Site . . ... 39