DRAWING ROOM DISPL AYS

Concrete and Controversy The Architecture of Connell Ward and Lucas

Material from the Dennis Sharp Archive

26 October 2015 – 29 January 2016

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Introduction

This display is the first in a series featuring material drawn from the Paul Mellon Centre’s own Research Collections. The present selection focuses upon one aspect of the Dennis Sharp Archive held at the Centre: the controversies generated by the designs of the Connell Ward and Lucas partnership.

In 1934 the architects Amyas Connell, Basil Ward and Colin Lucas, formed what became a famous professional partnership. As individuals and in collaboration, they produced a vast number of seminal buildings, many of which encountered vociferous opposition. The obstacles they faced included objections raised by planning officials and neighbours, as well as attacks from their professional peers, especially from more traditional architects such as Sir Reginald Blomfield and M. H. Baillie Scott. Public opinion also tended to side against them, with lengthy planning battles being played out in the press.

At the time Connell Ward and Lucas established their practice British architecture as a whole was undergoing a period of instability, even of crisis. This was prompted by the arrival from Europe of what was frequently described as the ‘Modern Movement’ in architecture, which promoted ideals such as simplicity, clarity of form and the visual expression of structure, together with principles of design derived directly from function and purpose. It also championed the use of industrially produced materials, notably concrete.

Whilst much of Europe embraced, or at least recognized the merits of this new style, much of Britain remained staunchly conservative in its tastes. As a result, many of those British-based architects who were sympathetic to modernism ended up adapting their work to suit more traditional attitudes, or moving to Europe and the United States, where the atmosphere was more conducive to modernist practice. Connell Ward and Lucas did neither and remained committed to promoting their controversial ideals within Britain itself.

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The Dennis Sharp Archive

The Dennis Sharp Archive was generously donated to the Centre in 2013 by his widow Yasmin Shariff. All items from this collection can be consulted by appointment at the Paul Mellon Centre.

Dennis Sharp (1933–2010) was an architect, designer, author and teacher. He maintained a life-long interest in the trio of architects who formed the Connell Ward and Lucas practice, and researched them extensively. This research led first to an exhibition held at the Building Centre in London in 1994 and culminated in the publication of a book: Connell Ward and Lucas: Modern Movement Architects in England, 1929–1939 (London, 2008), which was co-authored with Sally Rendel, a fellow architect and writer. Supported by a grant from the Paul Mellon Centre, this publication formed the first monograph on this celebrated Modernist architectural practice.

Sharp’s research included collecting many of the original plans, drawings, photographs and correspondence produced by the three architects in the course of their work. It is this material which forms the heart of the Dennis Sharp Archive. This display features just a few items from the 112 files which comprise the collection.

Connell Ward and Lucas

The Connell Ward and Lucas architectural practice was officially formed on 22 May 1934 when a Cambridge graduate, Colin Lucas, joined two architects from New Zealand, Amyas Connell and Basil Ward, who were already in partnership as Connell and Ward. The new practice lasted until 1939, ceasing to operate at the outbreak of the Second World War.

In just five years they designed over twenty private houses and were involved in many other projects including social housing, interior designs, film studios, health centres and speculative housing.

Connell Ward and Lucas are today regarded as being pivotal to the development of the Modern Movement in British architecture. Many of their buildings have now received listed status. However, in the 1930s their designs—which embraced new building techniques, such as the use of concrete—regularly met with disapproval and controversy.

Upright Display Case

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The Dennis Sharp Archive & Connell Ward & Lucas

1Dennis Sharp & Sally Rendel. Connell Ward and Lucas: Modern Movement Architects in England, 1929–1939. (London: Frances Lincoln, 2008)

2Poster advertising the exhibition Connell Ward and Lucas: modern movement architects in England 1929–1939. AR: DCS/1/3

3Corporate Christmas card produced by the Connell Ward and Lucas practice showing “The Concrete House”, Bristol, circa 1934. AR: DCS/2/2/5a

4Poster advertising an illustrated talk, “Connell Ward & Lucas’s Concrete”, by Sharp and Rendel held on 9 December, part of the Docomomo UK lecture series 2008. AR: DCS/3/2

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Shelf 1 Please note AR = Archive Reference

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Amyas Connell

Amyas Connell (1901–1980) began his professional education in 1919 when he was articled to the architect Stanley W. Fearn in New Zealand. It was here that Connell met fellow architectural student Basil Ward, and in 1924 the two travelled to England together.

Having been awarded the Rome Prize, Connell enrolled at the British School at Rome in 1927. His studies ended earlier than expected when, in 1929, he was commissioned by the school’s Director, Sir Bernard Ashmole, to build a private house, “High and Over”. Other notable early works include New Farm in Haslemere and the interior of the Vitamin Café in London.

In 1930, Connell and Ward formed an architectural partnership and in 1934 they were joined by Colin Lucas.

Connell was an outspoken defender of modern architecture. His now infamous 1934 radio debate with Sir Reginald Blomfield epitomized the tension between traditional and modernist schools of thought.

5Identity card belonging to Amyas Connell, Ministry of Works and Buildings. AR: DCS/2/2/1

6 First page of a transcript of the radio debate between Connell and Blomfield, broadcast by the BBC in 1934 and printed in The Listener.

7Promotional material for Crittall Windows featuring an image of New Farm, circa 1930. AR: DCS/2/6/7c

8Photograph of the interior of the Vitamin Café, circa 1932. AR: DCS/2/6/10a

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Basil Robert Ward

Basil Ward (1902–1976) began his professional education in New Zealand in 1918 when he was articled to the architect James Hay. It was here that Ward met fellow architectural student Amyas Connell, and in 1924 the two travelled to England together. Subsequently, Ward worked briefly in Rangoon with the architect T. O. Foster on a number of projects including the National Bank of India.

On his return to London in 1930, Ward and Connell founded an architectural practice. They were later joined by Colin Lucas in May 1934. Under the auspices of the Connell Ward and Lucas practice, Ward was responsible for a number of notable projects including the private houses, 6 Temple Gardens, Moor Park, Hertfordshire and “Usherwood”, Abinger Hammer, Surrey. In 1946 Ward became a partner in the Ramsey Murray White and Ward firm (later Murray Ward) and worked on designs for Hammersmith Hospital, the University of Oxford and the Rolls Royce Company in Derby. Ward was also a prolific writer and lecturer and he taught at a number of universities.

9Photograph of the interior of 6 Temple Gardens, Moor Park, Hertfordshire, showing the glazed semi-circular bay in the dining room, circa 1937. AR: DCS/2/7/8b

10Photograph of the exterior of 6 Temple Gardens, Moor Park, Hertfordshire, circa 1937. AR: DCS/2/7/8a

11Selection of photographs showing the owners and their family inspecting the building of “Usherwood”, Surrey, circa 1934–35. AR: DSC/2/6/21

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The Dennis Sharp Archive does not contain a photograph of Basil Ward. If you can help, please contact Research Collections staff: collections@paul-mellon-centre.ac.uk

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Colin Anderson Lucas

In 1928 Colin Lucas (1906–1984) joined forces with his father, who ran a construction company, and a friend to form the practice Lucas, Lloyd and Co. During his time in this practice, he was involved in building “Noah’s House”, which is thought to be the first private residence in England to be constructed solely from reinforced concrete.

In 1934 Lucas joined the Connell and Ward partnership. Under the auspices of the new Connell Ward and Lucas practice, he was responsible for designing a number of remarkable houses including 26 Bessborough Road, in Roehampton, London. When the firm disbanded, Lucas contributed to the war effort by working at the Building Research Station at Princes Risborough. After a brief time in the USA, he returned to the UK and joined the London County Council (later the Greater London Council) where he worked on housing projects which included the building of the Ackroydon Estate, Wandsworth, and the Roehampton Estate. He was awarded an OBE in 1972 for his work and retired in 1978.

12Summary of the project brief for “Noah’s House”. AR: DCS/2/6/4b

13Photograph showing members of Lucas’s family seated on a bench in the garden at “Noah’s House”, circa 1930s. AR: DCS/2/6/4a

14Photograph of the living room of 26 Bessborough Road, Roehampton, showing the free-standing fireplace and flue, circa 1939. AR: DCS/2/7/27b

15Locality plan by Connell Ward and Lucas for Bessborough Cottage, commissioned by P. A. Proudman, dated 1938. AR: DCS/2/7/27

16Photograph of Colin Lucas, circa 1970. AR: DCS/2/2/4a

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…beauty of line…. graceful proportions….

Light, air, space….AR: DCS/2/6/11d – see item 17

…one of the greatest acts of vandalism ever perpetrated in London... an outrage…AR: DCS/2/7/17 – see item 31

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“Light, air, space” — Modern Living at Parkwood Estate, Ruislip

Aiming to capitalize on the economies of scale offered by their preferred methods of construction, Connell Ward and Lucas made repeated attempts to venture into speculative housing schemes. These endeavours met with little success, largely due to the planning battles they encountered. Parkwood Estate provides a striking example of these ill-fated schemes.

The brief

In 1933 Connell Ward and Lucas teamed up with the building contractors Walter Taylor Ltd to build a group of houses on Parkwood Estate in Ruislip. The plans comprised six semi-detached houses and included design features such as concrete walls, flat roofs with terraces, large Crittall windows and distinctive glazed staircases.

Graphic designers were commissioned to produce promotional leaflets and booklets for prospective buyers. These marketing materials extolled the practical features of the modern designs. As The Book of Parkwood Estate stated, they included “beauty of line”, “graceful proportions” and “light, air, space”.

Opposition

Despite these promised benefits, the designs met with considerable difficulties in the planning process, with the local council refusing the application in 1933. The case was referred to the local advisory panel of the Royal Institute of British Architects, where one architect, Edwin Gunn, dismissed the designs as “deliberately odd”. Following this review the council refused to alter its initial decision, objecting in particular to the use of concrete.

Following an appeal by Walter Taylor Ltd, the case went to arbitration. When pressed, Gunn revealed that his main objection was to the full-length windows surrounding the staircase, pointing out that the owners might be seen in their nightwear going up to bed. The case was eventually won after revised architectural drawings were submitted. These showed the central panes of the staircase windows as having been blocked in.

By now, however, the negative publicity of the “Ruislip case” and costly delays in the construction process had taken their toll. Despite the firm’s ambitious plans, only three houses were ultimately built.

Small Flat Display Case

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17The Book of Parkwood Estate. Promotional leaflet detailing the benefits of modern living, circa 1935. AR: DCS/2/6/11d

18Draft for a proposed sign for Walter Taylor (Builders) Ltd advertising the benefits of Connell Ward and Lucas’s designs, dated 1934. AR: DCS/2/6/11c

19Photograph showing the completed semi-detached houses, with the front porch, garage and balconies visible, circa 1935. AR: DCS/2/6/11

20Draft text, probably compiled by Connell Ward and Lucas, for the promotional leaflet The Book of Parkwood Estate, circa 1933–35. AR: DCS/2/6/11

(open on 2nd page and front cover)

21Photograph of a model representing the semi-detached houses designed by Connell Ward and Lucas, circa 1933. AR: DCS/2/6/11

22Mock-up flyer promoting Parkwood Estate, 1930s. AR: DCS/2/6/11b

23One colour photograph showing the glazed staircase of 97 Park Avenue and one colour photograph showing the exterior of 101 Park Avenue, dated 2002. AR: DCS/2/6/11

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Fighting for Frognal

“66 Frognal”, Hampstead, is today regarded as one of the finest examples of the private houses produced by Connell Ward and Lucas. At the time, it was the subject of fierce debate with critics calling the building “an outrage” and “one of the greatest acts of vandalism ever perpetrated in London”—see item 31.

The Client/ The Brief

The property was commissioned in 1936 by Geoffrey Walford, a solicitor, who required a home which would support and enhance his family’s way of life and yet not rely on the use of servants. One of the reasons he chose Connell Ward and Lucas was because, unlike other firms at the time, they recognized the benefits of building with concrete.

Following the Modernist principle of “form follows function”, Lucas, who led the project, designed a house which aimed to be both practical and flexible. It included large windows to let in plenty of light and air, a roof space for sunbathing, a covered play area for the children, as well as retractable screens to allow for the rearrangement of room spaces.

Large Flat Display Case

The house satisfies all my requirements…in other words it represents, in my opinion, good architecture Geoffrey Walford Evening Standard, 1937

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Opposition

Though Walford was pleased with the designs, the plans immediately met with strong opposition from planning officials and local residents. Particular offence was taken at the design and construction methods which, critics argued, would mar the appearance of the local area.

A lengthy planning battle ensued, which involved local MPs and notable architects. They included Sir Reginald Blomfield, who had clashed with Connell in the past and coincidentally lived opposite “66 Frognal”. Walford himself took the case to the High Court and won.

This planning battle received so much coverage in the national press that it became known as “the Frognal case”. Alongside criticism of the house’s design, unfavourable comments were made regarding the building methods and materials being suggested by the architects, in particular the use of concrete. The architects themselves also came under attack, sometimes in strikingly personal terms.

Today, “66 Frognal” is a grade II* listed building. It has been sympathetically restored by Avanti Architects in line with Lucas’s original designs, and the building’s refurbishment won the 2005 RIBA Conservation Award.

…the work of young architect

Colin Lucas, partner with two

New Zealanders—bearded, rather Satanic-looking Amyas Connell,

and moustachio’d Basil Ward

News Chronicle, 14 July 1938 — see item 28

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24Programme for a dinner meeting at the Architectural Association, celebrating the work of Connell Ward and Lucas, printed with memorable extracts from the “Frognal case”, dated 19 December 1956. AR: DCS/2/2/5b

25Two photographs of the interior of “66 Frognal” showing the large windows and room spaces. AR: DCS/2/7/17

26Two photographs showing the use of concrete in the construction of “66 Frognal”. AR: DCS/2/7/17

27Telephone message for Colin Lucas giving approval for the planning application by London County Council, dated 26 October 1936. Further disputes caused final approval to be delayed by another year. AR: DCS/2/7/19

28Three photographs showing the site for “66 Frognal” and the building under construction. The site’s proximity to the Neo-Georgian buildings of Hampstead is clearly visible, circa 1936–38. AR: DCS/2/7/17

29Two press cuttings illustrating the range of criticism directed towards the “66 Frognal” project, dated 1937 and 1938. AR: DCS/2/7/17

30Minutes for the meeting of London County Council (LCC) detailing arguments for and against the planned proposal for a “New House in Frognal”, dated 21 July 1936. AR: DCS/2/7/20

31Photograph of the external rear view of the completed project, 1938.AR: DCS/2/7/18a

32Document summarizing the comments of the “Members who spoke at Council Meeting”, undated. AR: DCS/2/7/17

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I believe in Chelsea they welcome it and it is supposed to be artistic. — W. C. Northcott, South Hammersmith Municipal Reform

…[an] intrusion of the worse kind which will lower the standard of Hampstead… — E. P. Martin, Municipal Reform

…[it] will seriously injure the appearance of this part of Hampstead where the buildings are of brick and of a quiet Georgian character… — Hampstead Borough Council

The above quotes are taken from a document summarizing the comments of the “Members who spoke at Council Meeting”, undated – see item 31. AR: DCS/2/7/17

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AcknowledgementsDisplay and text prepared by: Charlotte Brunskill, Frankie Drummond Charig, Emma Floyd, Jenny Hill and Liz Moody

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