// This code notifies Google Tag Manager when a wpForm is submitted

The influences that have helped to shape the architectural styles of Britain

by | Dec 11, 2024 | Articles

Traditional British architectural design has not evolved in isolation. From the 1600s to the present day, British architecture has been significantly shaped by a variety of exotic influences, each bringing unique elements that have enriched the country’s architectural landscape.

The classical architectural styles of Rome and Greece are perhaps the most obvious to have inspired British architecture – particularly during the 18th century when columns, pediments and porticos became the prominent indicators of the neoclassical style being employed at the time. However, other exotic influences can be observed throughout the architecture of the 17th, 18th, 19th and indeed 20th centuries, ranging from Chinese and Indian styles to Italian and Egyptian styles.

17th and 18th Centuries

 
The 17th and 18 Centuries saw a strong resurgence of interest in Roman and Greek classical architecture, a movement spearheaded by architects such as Inigo Jones, Christopher Wren, Nicholas Hawksmoor, James Gibbs and Robert Adam.

Inigo Jones and Christopher Wren in particular were pivotal figures in introducing classical architectural influences to England, infusing their designs with elements inspired by the Renaissance styles of continental Europe. Jones, who extensively studied the works of Italian architect Andrea Palladio, brought a refined neoclassical aesthetic to England, exemplified in his design of the Queen’s House in Greenwich. This building showcases the symmetry, proportion, and use of columns characteristic of Palladian architecture. Similarly, the Banqueting House in Whitehall reflects Jones’s mastery of classical forms, incorporating grandiose ceilings and harmonious proportions inspired by ancient Roman architecture.

Christopher Wren, known for his role in rebuilding London after the Great Fire of 1666, further enriched English architecture with baroque influences. St. Paul’s Cathedral is Wren’s masterpiece, featuring a majestic dome inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. His work on the Royal Naval College in Greenwich also displays a blend of classical symmetry and baroque grandeur, illustrating the blend of exotic influences that was to become steadily integrated into the fabric of English architectural heritage.

Inigo Jones (1573-1652)

Banqueting House, Whitehall. By Inigo Jones

Christopher Wren (1632-1723)

Royal Navel College Greenwich. By Christopher Wren

James Gibbs’ St Martin-in-the-Fields (built 1722-1726) in London was also built in the new neoclassical style, and its grand portico and classical columns epitomise this neoclassical movement. In the second half of the 18th century, Robert Adam then also incorporated elements of Roman architecture in his designs for Syon House (1762-1769) and Kedleston Hall (1765), both of which feature classical proportions, columns, and intricate interior details reminiscent of ancient Rome.

James Gibbs (1682-1754)

St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. By James Gibbs

Robert Adam (1728-1792)

Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire. By Robert Adam

The Georgian period, however, was not exclusively given over to neoclassicism. Architect Sir William Chambers (1723-1796) was not averse to exploring new architectural avenues. Although a staunch advocate of Roman and in particular Palladian style, his Great Pagoda at Kew Gardens, London, completed in 1762, is an excellent example of the Chinoiserie style, being a multi-tiered structure inspired by the Chinese style of building and built as a gift to Princess Augusta, the founder of the gardens.

Sir William Chambers (1723-1796)

The Great Pagoda. By Sir William Chambers

19th Century

 
During the 19th Century, the continuing expansion of the British Empire, coupled with the increasing activities of traders such as the British East India Company, saw the arrival of more and more Eastern goods on Britain’s shores. Inspired by these new exotic styles in furniture, fashion and decoration, a fascination with eclectic styles of architecture widened under Victoria’s reign, including Gothic, Italianate, Indian, Chinese, Egyptian and Arts & Crafts influences.

Evidence of Indio-Chinese influence can be seen in such flamboyant buildings as the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, originally built by Henry Holland (1745-1806) for the Prince Regent (later King George IV), but extensively redesigned and embellished by John Nash (1752-1835). Completed in 1822, the Pavilion’s onion domes, minarets, and intricate ironwork reflect an imaginative interpretation of Indian and Oriental design, and its whimsical style is as far removed from earlier British architectural design as one may imagine.

John Nash (1752-1835)

The Royal Pavilion. Redesigned by John Nash

At the same time, the Egyptian Revival style, inspired by Napoleon’s campaigns in Egypt, manifested itself in buildings like the Egyptian Hall in London (1812), designed by Peter Frederick Robinson. This structure featured large, pharaonic columns and hieroglyphic decorations, demonstrating the period’s fascination with ancient Egypt.

Egyptian Hall in London (completed 1812, and since demolished). By Peter Frederick Robinson

The Victorian period saw a flood of exotic influences explored in British architecture. Italianate influences grew in prominence, notably exemplified by Osborne House, completed in 1851 and designed by architect Thomas Cubitt in collaboration with Prince Albert for Queen. Located on the Isle of Wight, Osborne House reflects the Italian Renaissance style, characterised by its stuccoed facades, low-pitched roofs, and extensive use of loggias, terraces, and balconies that evoke the feel of an Italian palazzo.

Thomas Cubitt (1788-1855)

Osborne House. By Thomas Cubitt and Prince Albert

The Gothic Revival movement of the Victorian period is perhaps best exemplified by The Houses of Parliament (the Palace of Westminster) in London, completed in 1870 and designed by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin. Barry’s overall design for the Parliament was grounded in symmetry and classical proportions, but it was Pugin’s passion for the medieval Gothic aesthetic that infused the building with its iconic details, such as the pointed arches, ribbed vaults, ornate spires, stained glass windows and elaborate stone carvings.

Charles Barry (1795-1860)

The Houses of Parliament. By Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin

The architect Richard Norman Shaw was also prominent in the 19th Century. His transformation of Cragside (1863-1865) in Northumberland is a fine example of the Tudor Revival style. The building featured half-timbered façades, steeply pitched gables and tall, narrow windows, all reminiscent of the traditional Tudor manor house. Many of these features have helped to place Cragside as a forerunner in many people’s minds of the Arts and Crafts Movement.

Richard Norman Shaw (1831-1912)

Cragside in Northumberland. By Richard Norman Shaw

The Arts and Crafts movement, emerging in the late 19th century as a reaction against industrialisation and the decline in craftsmanship, profoundly influenced British architecture by emphasising traditional craftsmanship, simple forms, and the use of local materials. Architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, a key figure in this movement, masterfully applied these principles in his design of Munstead Wood, the home of garden designer Gertrude Jekyll. Completed in 1897, Munstead Heath exemplifies the Arts and Crafts ideals with its harmonious integration into the landscape, attention to detail, and use of locally sourced materials, creating a timeless, handcrafted aesthetic that was both modern and rooted in tradition.

Sir Edwyn Lutyens (1869-1944)

Munstead Wood. By Sir Edwyn Lutyens

Art Deco period (1920s-1930s)

 
The Art Deco period (1920s-1930s) introduced a new wave of exotic influences, with Aztec, Central American and Egyptian motifs becoming particularly prominent. The architect Oliver Hill incorporated these elements in his designs, such as the Midland Hotel (1933) in Morecambe, which blends streamlined Art Deco forms with Egyptian motifs, including stylised lotus flowers and geometric patterns. The Hoover Building (1931-1935) in London, designed by Wallis, Gilbert and Partners, is another exemplary Art Deco structure, featuring a striking facade inspired by ancient Egyptian architecture with bold colours and dramatic forms.

Oliver Hill (1887-1968(1869-1944)

Midland Hotel, Morecambe. By Oliver Hill

Post-World War II

 

Post-World War II, British architecture continued to evolve, integrating exotic influences into modernist and contemporary designs. The Indian influence, in particular, saw a resurgence with the influx of Indian culture into the UK. The Nehru Centre in London (1992), for example, was designed by C. Bhaskaran and showcases Indian architectural motifs in a contemporary context, highlighting the ongoing dialogue between British and Indian architectural traditions.

The architectural skyline of Britain is continually evolving, reflecting an increasingly global outlook in recent years. Contemporary British architecture now incorporates diverse influences from around the world. A prime example is The Shard in London, completed in 2012 and designed by Renzo Piano. While its overall design is modernist, it subtly echoes the form of Islamic minarets. Similarly, the Serpentine Pavilion projects, commissioned annually since 2000, have introduced a variety of international architects to London, each contributing distinct global elements. These pavilions, with their varied styles and inspirations, highlight the ongoing significance of exotic influences in shaping Britain’s dynamic architectural landscape.

For an in-depth look at your own period or classically-designed new-build project, and to discuss the reinstatement or introduction of period-perfect architectural joinery, call Michael Costello, Managing Director, on 01934 806883, or email him at michael@atkeyandco.com.