Patchwork One - Arkwright Building

In this essay we are looking into the history and context of the Arkwright building. The building is part of Nottingham Trent University and is used by the Product Design and Built Environment students. Also we look into the architectural style of Arkwright, relating it to the time it was built and also its surroundings.

The Arkwright building was designed by three architects; Henry Francis Lockwood with Richard and William Mawson. The Mawson brothers in particularly are best known for their design work in Bradford, more specifically Victoria Hall, Saltaire and Salt Mills (Jacqueline Banerjee, 2011). The building took four years to build (1877 -1881) and cost £100,000 to build. Arkwright was originally designed in an ‘E- shape’, which housed three different sections; a public library, natural history museum and the University college. In 1941 a Luftwaffe bomb blew up the west side of the building which resulted in the re-construction of its west side of this now Grade-II listed building (Nottingham Post, 2010).

In the mid-19^th century came about the turn of style from Neo-classism to the Gothic Revival style of architecture. This was the first time that architecture took a step away from the old traditions of Greek and Rome (Commonwealth of Pennisylvania, 2013). There are many reasons for this change in style; this included the Romantic and Picturesque revolution, and the published work of one John Ruskin. His work in the books Seven Lamps of Architecture (1849) and Stones of Venice (1853) stated that the more sophisticated craftsmanship’s work symbolised a more honest way of life (Encyclopaedia Britain, 2013).

“Architects like A.W. Pugin and writers such as John Ruskin believed that the Middle Ages was a watershed in human achievement and that Gothic architecture represented the perfect marriage of spiritual and artistic values.” (Isabelle Goddard, 2012)

The Gothic Revival Style was seen quite commonly in religious, civic and domestic building such as civic centres, railway stations and educational building (David Ross, 2013). Examples of this type of style comprise of St. Pancras Station in London, designed by one of the Gothic revivals biggest architects, George Gilbert Scott, and the Palace of Westminster designed by Charles Barry (V&A, 2013).

During the 19^th century Nottingham saw a drastic increase in population. This increase, highly due to the success of Nottingham Lace Textiles, brought about the construction of building such as the Victoria Centre, built by Gothic Revival architect Watson Fothergill (Professor Josh Beckett, 2008). Gothic revival was very common in late 19^th century which meant when Arkwright was built; it was coordinated with its surrounding. Even though since then modern development has transformed Arkwright’s surroundings (through redevelopment of university campus and public buildings), Arkwright power has been enhanced.

As this was a revival style, the building features are similar to those from the original Gothic style; cross gables, pointed arch-windows  and decorative crowns above opening to list a few (Commonwealth of Pennisylvania, 2013). In relation to Arkwright itself, a collection of these features such as the cross gables and also castle-like towers on the front facade (see sketch) can be seen. Gargoyles hide themselves on the facades of the building, used as rain water drain as well as decoration, and these sculptures where commonly found on Gothic and Gothic Revival buildings (David Ross, 2003).

To concluded, the Gothic Revival style is a very noticeable style in the world today, it can easily be distinguished from original Gothic (David Ross, 2013). When built, Arkwright suited the Victorian style of architecture present in the late 19^th century Nottingham. However today architecture across Nottingham has evolved into very modern and elaborate forms, which this has strengthened the historical context of Arkwright.

Bibliography

Jacqueline Banerjee, 2011. The Victorian Web. Jacqueline Banerjee. Available at: http://www.victorianweb.org/misc/banerjee.html [28th October 2013]

This Is Nottingham, 2010. DH Lawrence Trained To Be A Teacher. Nottingham Post. Available at: http://www.nottinghampost.com/DH-Lawrence-trained-teacher/story-12205188-detail/story.html [28^th October 2013]

Commonwealth of Pennisylvania, 2013. Gothic Revival Style. Commonwealth of Pennisylvania. Available at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/mid-19th_century_period/2386/gothic_revival_style/293443 [28^th October 2013]

Encyclopaedia Britain, 2013. Gothic Revival. Encyclopaedia Britain Inc. Available at: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/239789/Gothic-Revival [28^th October 2013]

Isabelle Goddard, 2012. The Gothic Revival. Bookwebs. Available at: http://www.isabellegoddard.com/the-gothic-revival.html [28^th October 2013]

David Ross, 2013. Gothic Revival Architecture. Britain Express. Available at: http://www.britainexpress.com/architecture/gothic-revival.htm [28^th October 2013]

V&A, 2013. Style Guide, Gothic Revival. V&A. Available at: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/s/style-guide-gothic-revival/ [28^th October 2013]

Professor Josh Beckett, 2008. Overview: The 19^th Century .The Nottingham Heritage Gateway. Available at http://www.nottsheritagegateway.org.uk/places/nottingham/nottinghamc19.htm [28th October 2013]

David Ross, 2013. Gargoyles In English Architecture. Britain Express. Available at: http://www.britainexpress.com/architecture/gargoyles.htm [28^th October 2013]