All Topics  
William Chambers (architect)

 
William Chambers (architect)

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

William Chambers (architect)
 
 
  Topics William Chambers (architect) Topic Home

Sir William Chambers (27 October 1723 – 17 February 1796) was a Scottish
Scotland

conventional_long_name = ScotlandAlba|common_name= Scotland|image_flag = Flag of Scotland.svg|flag_width = 130px...
 architect
Architect

An architect is trained and licenced in planning and designing buildings, and participates in supervising the construction of a building. Etymologically, architect derives from the Latin architectus, itself derived from the Greek arkhitekton , i.e....
, born in Gothenburg
Gothenburg

Gothenburg ) is the second largest city in Sweden after Stockholm and the fifth largest amongst the Nordic countries. The city is located on the south west-coast....
, Sweden
Sweden

Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic countries on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden has land borders with Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast, and it is connected to Denmark by the ?resund Bridge in the south....
, where his father was a merchant. Between 1740 and 1749 he was employed by the Swedish East India Company
Swedish East India Company

The Swedish East India Company was founded in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1731 for the purpose of conducting trade with the far east. The venture was inspired by the success of the Dutch East India Company and the British East India Company and grew to become the largest trading company in Sweden during the 18th century, until it folded in 1813....
 making several voyages to China
China

China is a Culture of China, an ancient civilization, and, depending on perspective, a national or multinational entity extending over a large area in East Asia....
 where he studied Chinese architecture
Chinese architecture

Chinese architecture refers to a style of architecture that has taken shape in Asia over many centuries. The structural principles of China architecture have remained largely unchanged, the main changes being only the decorative details....
 and decoration.

Returning to Europe
Europe

Europe is, conventionally, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally divided from Asia to its east by the water divide of the Ural Mountains, the Ural , the Caspian Sea, and by the Caucasus Mountains to the southeast....
, he studied architecture in Paris
Paris

Paris is the Capital of France and the country's largest city. It is situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the ?le-de-France Regions of France ....
 (with J. F. Blondel
Jacques-François Blondel

Jacques-Fran?ois Blondel was a France architect. He was the grandson of Fran?ois Blondel , whose course of architecture had appeared in four volumes in 1683 ...
) and spent five years in Italy
Italy

Italy , officially the Italian Republic , is a country located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia....
. Then, in 1755, he travelled to England
England

native_name =|conventional_long_name = England|common_name = England|image_flag = Flag of England.svg|image_coat = England COA.svg|symbol_type = Royal Coat of Arms...
 and established an architectural practice in London
London

London is the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, and the most populous municipality in the European Union. An important settlement for two millennia, History of London goes back to its founding by the Roman Empire....
.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'William Chambers (architect)'
Start a new discussion about 'William Chambers (architect)'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


Sir William Chambers (27 October 1723 – 17 February 1796) was a Scottish
Scotland

conventional_long_name = ScotlandAlba|common_name= Scotland|image_flag = Flag of Scotland.svg|flag_width = 130px...
 architect
Architect

An architect is trained and licenced in planning and designing buildings, and participates in supervising the construction of a building. Etymologically, architect derives from the Latin architectus, itself derived from the Greek arkhitekton , i.e....
, born in Gothenburg
Gothenburg

Gothenburg ) is the second largest city in Sweden after Stockholm and the fifth largest amongst the Nordic countries. The city is located on the south west-coast....
, Sweden
Sweden

Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic countries on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden has land borders with Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast, and it is connected to Denmark by the ?resund Bridge in the south....
, where his father was a merchant. Between 1740 and 1749 he was employed by the Swedish East India Company
Swedish East India Company

The Swedish East India Company was founded in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1731 for the purpose of conducting trade with the far east. The venture was inspired by the success of the Dutch East India Company and the British East India Company and grew to become the largest trading company in Sweden during the 18th century, until it folded in 1813....
 making several voyages to China
China

China is a Culture of China, an ancient civilization, and, depending on perspective, a national or multinational entity extending over a large area in East Asia....
 where he studied Chinese architecture
Chinese architecture

Chinese architecture refers to a style of architecture that has taken shape in Asia over many centuries. The structural principles of China architecture have remained largely unchanged, the main changes being only the decorative details....
 and decoration.

Returning to Europe
Europe

Europe is, conventionally, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally divided from Asia to its east by the water divide of the Ural Mountains, the Ural , the Caspian Sea, and by the Caucasus Mountains to the southeast....
, he studied architecture in Paris
Paris

Paris is the Capital of France and the country's largest city. It is situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the ?le-de-France Regions of France ....
 (with J. F. Blondel
Jacques-François Blondel

Jacques-Fran?ois Blondel was a France architect. He was the grandson of Fran?ois Blondel , whose course of architecture had appeared in four volumes in 1683 ...
) and spent five years in Italy
Italy

Italy , officially the Italian Republic , is a country located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia....
. Then, in 1755, he travelled to England
England

native_name =|conventional_long_name = England|common_name = England|image_flag = Flag of England.svg|image_coat = England COA.svg|symbol_type = Royal Coat of Arms...
 and established an architectural practice in London
London

London is the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, and the most populous municipality in the European Union. An important settlement for two millennia, History of London goes back to its founding by the Roman Empire....
. Through a recommendation of the 4th Earl of Bute he was appointed architectural tutor to the Prince of Wales, later George III
George III of the United Kingdom

George III was Kingdom of Great Britain and Kingdom of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death....
, and also, with Robert Adam
Robert Adam

Robert Adam was a Scotland neoclassicism architect, interior designer and furniture designer. He was the son of William Adam , Scotland's foremost architect of the time, and trained under him....
, Architect of the King's Works
Office of Works

The Office of Works was established in the England Royal Household in 1378 to oversee the building of the royal castles and residences. In 1832 it became the Works Department within the Office of Woods, Forests, Land Revenues, Works and Buildings....
. He worked for Augusta, Dowager Princess of Wales making fanciful garden buildings at Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, usually referred to simply as Kew Gardens, are extensive gardens and Greenhouses between Richmond, London and Kew in southwest London, England....
, and in 1757 he published a book of Chinese designs which had a significant influence on contemporary taste. He developed his Chinese interests further with his 'Dissertation on Oriental Gardening' (1772), a fanciful elaboration of contemporary English ideas about the naturalistic style of gardening in China.

Somerset House
In 1759 his more serious and academic Treatise on Civil Architecture had an influence on builders; it went into several editions and was still being republished in 1826. His influence was transmitted also through a host of younger architects trained as pupils in his office, including Thomas Hardwick Junior (1752-1825) who helped build Somerset House
Somerset House

Somerset House is a large building situated on the south side of the Strand, London in central London, overlooking the River Thames, just east of Waterloo Bridge....
 with him and who wrote a biography of Chambers's life.

He was the major rival of Adam in British Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism

Neoclassicism is the name given to quite distinct Cultural movement in the Decorative art and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that draw upon Western classical art and culture ....
. Chambers was more international in outlook (his knighthood being originally a Swedish honour) and was influenced by continental neoclassicism (which he in turn influenced) when designing for British clients. A second visit to Paris in 1774 confirmed the French cast to his sober and conservative refined blend of Neoclassicism and Palladian
Palladian architecture

Palladian architecture is a European style of architecture derived from the designs of the Republic of Venice architect Andrea Palladio . The term "Palladian" normally refers to buildings in a style inspired by Palladio's own work; that which is recognised as Palladian architecture today is an evolution of Palladio's original concepts....
 conventions.

Chambers died in London in 1796. He is buried in Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey

The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to popularly and informally as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic architecture Church , in Westminster, London, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster....
.

Writings


  • Designs of Chinese buildings, furniture, dresses, machines, and utensils : to which is annexed a description of their temples, houses, gardens, &c (London) 1757
  • Desseins des edifices, meubles, habits, machines, et ustenciles des Chinois ; Auxquels est ajoutée une descr. de leurs temples, de leurs maisons, de leurs jardins, etc. (London) 1757
  • A treatise on civil architecture in which the principles of that art are laid down and illustrated by a great number of plates accurately designed and elegantly engraved by the best hands (London) 1759
  • Plans, Elevations, Sections and Perspective Views of the Gardens and Buildings at Kew in Surry (London) 1763
  • A dissertation on oriental gardening. (London) 1772


Main works

  • Roehampton
    Roehampton

    Roehampton is a large district in south-west London, forming the western end of the London Borough of Wandsworth. It lies between the town of Barnes, London to the north and the large Wimbledon Common to the south....
     Villa (largely extant including interior ceilings), now called Parkstead House, for William Ponsonby, 2nd Earl of Bessborough
    William Ponsonby, 2nd Earl of Bessborough

    William Ponsonby, 2nd Earl of Bessborough, Privy Council was a British British Whig Party politician, known as Viscount Duncannon from 1739 to 1758....
    . Also designed two garden temples (one to be re-erected by 2008), similar to those at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

    The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, usually referred to simply as Kew Gardens, are extensive gardens and Greenhouses between Richmond, London and Kew in southwest London, England....
    .


  • The Pagoda, in Pagoda Gardens, Blackheath, London
    Blackheath, London

    Blackheath is an area in southeast London, centred around a section of open public grassland and straddling the boundary of the London Borough of Lewisham and the London Borough of Greenwich....
     is attributed to Chambers. A three-storey house built as a pavilion (c. 1775) for the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch
    Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch

    Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch and 5th Duke of Queensberry KG, KT , was a Scotland Peerage of Scotland and long-time friend of the notable Walter Scott....
    , it features a gabled Chinese-style roof with dramatic upturned corners. Caroline of Brunswick
    Caroline of Brunswick

    Caroline of Brunswick-Wolfenb?ttel was the wife of George IV of the United Kingdom from 1795, and his queen consort from 29 January 1820 until her death....
     lived here after her separation from her husband, the Prince Regent
    George IV of the United Kingdom

    George IV was the king of Kingdom of Hanover and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from the death of his father, George III of the United Kingdom, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later....
    , in 1799.


  • Somerset House
    Somerset House

    Somerset House is a large building situated on the south side of the Strand, London in central London, overlooking the River Thames, just east of Waterloo Bridge....
     in London, his most famous building, which absorbed most of his energies over a period of two decades (1776–1796)


  • The gilded state coach
    Gold State Coach

    The Gold State Coach is an enclosed, eight horse-drawn carriage used by the British Royal Family. It was built in Dublin in 1762 and has been used at every coronation of the British monarch since George IV of the United Kingdom....
     that is still used at coronation
    Coronation of the British monarch

    The Coronation of the British Monarch is a ceremony in which the monarch of the United Kingdom and of the other Commonwealth realms is formally Crown and invested with regalia....
    s.


  • The Dunmore Pineapple
    Dunmore Pineapple

    The Dunmore Pineapple is a remarkable folly situated in Dunmore Park, approximately one kilometre northwest of Airth in the Falkirk council area, Scotland....
    , a folly
    Folly

    In architecture, a folly is a building constructed strictly as a decoration, having none of the usual purposes of housing or sheltering associated with a conventional structure....
     in Dunmore Park near Falkirk
    Falkirk

    Falkirk The town lies at the junction of the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal , a location which proved pivotal to the growth of Falkirk as a centre of heavy industry during the Industrial Revolution....
    , is often attributed to Chambers.


  • For James Caulfeild, 1st Earl of Charlemont
    James Caulfeild, 1st Earl of Charlemont

    James Caulfeild, 1st Earl of Charlemont Order of St Patrick Privy Council of Ireland was an Ireland statesman.The son of the James Caulfeild, 3rd Viscount Charlemont, he was born in Dublin, and succeeded his father as 4th Viscount in 1734....
    , he designed Charlemont House
    Charlemont House

    Charlemont House was finished in 1763 and designed by William Chambers for James Caulfeild, 1st Earl of Charlemont, the 1st Earl of Charlemont....
     and the Casino at Marino
    Casino at Marino

    The Casino at Marino, located in Marino, Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland was designed by Scotland architect William Chambers for James Caulfeild, 1st Earl of Charlemont, the 1st Earl of Charlemont, starting in the late 1750s and finishing around 1775....
    , as well as the Chapel and Theatre in Trinity College, Dublin
    Trinity College, Dublin

    Trinity College, Dublin , corporately designated as the Provost, Fellows and Scholars of the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I of England as the "mother of a university", and is the only constituent residential college of the University of Dublin....
    .


  • He is also associated with Gothic
    Gothic Revival architecture

    The Gothic Revival is an Architectural style which began in the 1740s in England. Its popularity grew rapidly in the early nineteenth century, when increasingly serious and learned admirers of neo-Gothic styles sought to revive Middle Ages forms in contrast to the Neoclassical architecture styles which were then prevalent....
     additions to Milton Abbey
    Milton Abbey

    Sorry, no overview for this topic
     in Dorset
    Dorset

    Dorset , is a Counties of England in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester, Dorset, situated in the south of the county at ....
     and the planning of the nearby rural village of Milton Abbas
    Milton Abbas

    Milton Abbas is a village in Dorset in the south-west of England, approximately seven miles south-west of the market town of Blandford Forum and 11 miles north-east of Dorchester, Dorset....
    , sometimes considered the first planned settlement in England. This work was carried out in collaboration with landscape gardener Capability Brown
    Capability Brown

    Lancelot Brown , more commonly known as Capability Brown, was an England landscape architect. He is remembered as "the last of the great English eighteenth-century artists to be accorded his due", and "England's greatest gardener"....
     in 1780 for Joseph Damer, the Earl of Dorchester
    Earl of Dorchester

    The title Earl of Dorchester, in the Dorset, was created in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1792, together with the title Viscount Milton, of Milton Abbey in the County of Dorset, for the Joseph Damer, 1st Earl of Dorchester....
    , who wanted to relocate the existing village further away from his home at the Abbey.


External links


  • William Chambers, (London, 1772)