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John Claudius Loudon
Hardback £99.00 $198.00
Publication date 2000
1376 pages
ISBN 978 1 873394 42 7
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UK and Rest of World |
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US only |
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 will be available in two volumes containing, in total, over 1300 pages with more than 2,000 illustration; 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.
This will prove an invaluable source of reference for everyone interested in traditional countryside architecture and its conservation.
Introduction to the 2000
edition
Click here to read the new introduction by Eric Mercer
Book II: Designs for farm houses and farmeries; country inns, with farm buildings attached; fermes Ornées, and villa farms.
Book III: Designs for cottage villas, and villas of the highest class, with their accompanying offices, and other buildings.
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, EB 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-19th 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