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Important Figures in the Word of Architecture, Art, and Design

- Basil Champneys

Born into a modest family in Whitechapel, London in 1842.  His father, the vicar of St Mary's Whitechapel and his early life gave him an interest in the improving the life of the poor.  Later educated at Cambridge, he failed to achieve a first class degree after completing his articles with the architect John Pritchard he set up offices in the 1860s close to those of William Morris in London.

His early interest and training led him to follow the Gothic style which had gained popularity but after a short time he turned his attention to the Queen Anne style which was close in style to the Arts and Crafts Movement. 

There were several identifying features to this style including:

stacked oriel windows, one above the other
quality brickwork in warmer tones than usual in Victorian designs
tile-hung upper stories
white woodwork
asymmetrical frontages

Champneys believed that architecture was an art and not a science and joined the Art Workers Guild of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Amongst his designs are Newnham College, Cambridge, Mansfield College, Oxford, Ryland's Memorial Library, Manchester, Hall Oak, Frognal NW3 (his own home) and Mill Hill School, London

Hall Oak, London

Newnham College, Cambridge