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Look inside the book

Loudon's Encyclopaedia of Cottage, Farm and Villa Architecture

John Claudius Loudon

 

Hardback £99.00  $198.00

Publication date 2000

1376 pages

ISBN 978 1 873394 42 7
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J. C. Loudon's immense and valuable work was first published in 1833 with his stated aim of helping to 'improve the dwellings of the great mass of society'. He stressed the importance of a building being judged by its fitness for the end in view, and by the clear architectural expression of that end.

This new, slightly enlarged facsimile of the 1846 edition is available in two volumes containing, in total, over 1,300 pages with more than 2,000 illustrations; these include engravings, drawings and plans of buildings and their elements.

It provides numerous examples of designs and construction methods for a variety of houses from small cottages to much larger country houses. It also includes designs and instructions for the building of farmhouses, agricultural buildings, inns as well as designs for small gardens. In addition, Loudon offers illustrated examples of the fixtures, fittings and furniture which might be appropriate to furnish such dwellings.

It is an invaluable source of reference for everyone interested in traditional countryside architecture and its conservation.

This is a hardback, high quality reproduction of the original book with a new Introduction written specifically for this publication.

 

Introduction to the 2000 edition
Read the new introduction by Eric Mercer

Contents:
Book I : Designs of cottages for labourers, mechanics, country tradesmen and small farmers; of lodges for gardeners, bailiffs, land stewards and other superintendents on landed estates  v Model designs for cottages v A miscellaneous collection of designs for cottage dwellings, with critical and analytical remarks v Designs and directions for exterior and interior finishings v Book II: Designs for farm houses and farmeries v A collection of miscellaneous design for farm houses and farmeries v Designs for country inns and public houses v Designs for parochial schoolsv Book III: Designs for villas, with various degrees of accommodation, and in different styles of architecture v The fundamental principles of laying out a villa v The beau ideal of an English villa v Miscellaneous designs for villas v Designs for appendages to villas v Of the finishing, fittings-up and fixtures of villas v Of the furniture of villas and villas of the highest class, with their accompanying offices, and other buildings v Book IV: The principles of criticism in architecture
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read the new introduction by Eric Mercer

The author
John Claudius Loudon, born in 1783, was one of those early nineteenth century Titans for whom work was a hobby, or an obsession. Largely self-educated, he was primarily a horticulturist and landscape gardener, producing encyclopaedias on Gardening, Agriculture and Plants before he began one on Architecture in 1832 which was published in 1833.
From the reviews:
Above all, this work is an exciting adventure into architectural history. Well-illustrated, it is both nostalgic and invigorating – a pleasure to read.
The Architects’ Journal

 

Apart from being of immense historical interest, the amount of technical information included makes the book an important central point of reference for all those concerned with conservation works covering this period.
Construction History Society Newsletter

 

Its subject matter is vast, and provides an invaluable insight into not only the stylistic diversity of a wide range of contemporary architects – from Charles Barry to the Rogue Goth of the Anglican Revival, E. B. Lamb – but also the contemporary planning requirements for estate cottages, inns, farmsteads, villas and country houses and their fittings and furniture – from potato washers and water filters to card tables. The reader can also gain insights into contemporary building practice, form the use of clay lump in Suffolk to the cast-iron ‘Belper window’ employed by the Strutts on their Derbyshire mills and estates. Such was the popularity of the Encyclopaedia that many an architect, speculative builder or owner reaches to Loudon for inspiration.
English Heritage Conservation Bulletin

 

A remarkable work of reference of rural domestic and farming buildings in the mid-nineteenth century. I found it so fascinating that it was difficult to put down .…an endless source of interest and amusement.
On the level – RICS Wessex branch

 

Donhead has been generous in re-publishing Loudon. As with most architectural books that are well illustrated, it is a pleasure to read and browse, invigorating and nostalgic but above all it provides hope that the more creative among us may use some of the ideas and images to enrich the rural/urban landscape.
RICS Building Conservation Journal

 

… this book deserves the attention of conservation architects.
Journal of Architectural Conservation

 

For a conservation officer managing suburban and rural historic building stock of the period, the Encyclopaedia is a rich source of details.

A substantial work of reference…
Context

 

… an overflowing feast of historic detail.
Natural Stone Specialist

 

What makes this so much more readable than a reference work is the detail he goes into in almost every aspect of building and also furnishing cottages, from underfloor heating to a wire used by Ackermann, the printseller, to release his dog from its kennel without the need for him to get out of bed.
SPAB news

 

It is an invaluable source of information on rural architecture for the student, academic, researcher, building professional or conservationist, and would be a welcome addition to any functioning library.
The Scottish Civic Trust

 
 

Donhead Publishing 2010