The south front of Standen. ©NTPL/Rupert Truman
My previous post about the textiles at Standen gave me the idea to show some images of the architecture of the house, which is equally subtle and textured.
Weatherboarding and hanging tiles on the garden front front of the house. ©NTPL/Rupert Truman
The architect, Philip Webb, loved fine craftsmanship and humble but interesting materials.
The Dining Room windows on the east front, with Webb's favourite round-headed frames. The window sills and the corbel are of Portland stone, the other stonework is local sandstone. ©NTPL/Rupert Truman
At Standen he carefully incorporated some exisiting buildings into the design.
The summer house at the far end of the south front, adjoining the conservatory. ©NTPL/John Miller
He used sandstone quarried from the site and locally made red bricks. Webb also deliberately made use of traditional vernacular materials such as hanging tiles, weatherboarding and render.
Grassy path flanked by cow parsley leading up to the gazebo. ©NTPL/Rupert Truman
He managed to create a house that combined great sophistication with a down-to-earth practicality. You could call it the English equivalent of the Japanese aesthetic ideal of wabi, or humble beauty.
