Mar 29, 2026
If you visit Barcelona and only see one building, it will almost certainly be the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia.[1] Rising improbably from the Eixample grid, its spires seem to belong to a world between cathedral and coral reef. But for all its fantastical beauty,...
Mar 16, 2026
Few buildings in England can claim to have fundamentally altered the course of the nation’s architectural history. Chiswick House, the compact neo-Palladian villa in west London designed and built by Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington, between 1726 and 1729, is one...
Feb 28, 2026
Surrounding the east court of Montacute House is a balustrade, an elegant feature idea that made its way from Renaissance Italy. Often used for loggias and balconies, it has been applied at Montacute as a running feature on top of a wall. The balustrade is punctuated...
Feb 20, 2026
The church of St. Cuthbert in Wells contains a remarkable carved oak pulpit of 1636. Its degree of craftsmanship and intriguing subject matter make it a standout piece of 17th century woodwork. The Jacobean period (c. 1603-1625) extends in terms of style into the mid...
Dec 15, 2025
I have a bit of a thing about balusters and balustrades. The ones we are familiar with today came about in the Renaissance and were eagerly adopted by the builders of country houses and other monumental buildings in England. They are part of the ‘neo-classical...
