British Embassies: their diplomatic and architectural history
British Embassies: their diplomatic and architectural history, James Stourton, photographs by Luke White, Frances Lincoln, 2017, (351 pages, 15 black-and-white and 260 colour illustrations).
How can Britishness be articulated and deciphered in a building? This question is just as relevant to the design of diplomatic missions as of central government offices. Embassies are national aspirations cast in stone, decorated and furnished to represent the country’s identity. Following the success of his Great Houses of London (2012), the former chairman of Sotheby’s UK, James Stourton, has gone on a tour across five continents to visit 27 British embassies (including Brussels, Moscow, Tehran, New Delhi, Tokyo, Brasilia and Buenos Aires), and to study their architecture and the histories behind them.
He returns with a lavishly illustrated compendium, packed with first-hand information about the cheerful as well as humiliating moments in every compound’s eventful past. Telling the story of each foreign mission in chronological order, he begins with Britain’s first chancelleries abroad: Paris, Constantinople and Vienna, 19th-century capitals of empires and hothouses of diplomatic activity.
The earliest two residences (Hôtel Charost in Paris and Pera House in the Ottoman capital) occupied mansions leased from the host country. It was not until 1844 that work on Britain’s first purpose-built embassy began, to replace its burned-down residence above the Bosporus. The Foreign Office advice to keep costs down by saving on decoration was paid lip service by architect William James Smith, whose design set in motion a lasting diplomatic tradition of representation with a capital ‘R’ and a proclivity for exploding budgets. It generated a wealth of proud footholds such as the powerful statement of a Victorian country house in Cairo or the grandeur of Edwin Lutyens’ embassy in Washington. In their designs, we can find stereotypically British-adopted architectural features such as Palladian windows or broken pediments (interior and exterior). We can also detect representation in both directions: representing Britain while reflecting the architectural tradition of the host country.
The result: in Tunis, a dream of 1001 Nights in blue tiles and arabesque patterns merged with the soberness of Georgian-style doorframes; in Addis Ababa, traditional Tukul huts alongside English country-cottage-style and garden layout; in Rome, Basil Spence’s modernist interpretation of an Italian mannerist palazzo in concrete. The Edwardian exuberance of ballrooms and elegance of drawing rooms often differs remarkably from the rather more sordid business of intelligence gathering and military meddling conducted behind the facade, as the deliciously informative text reveals. One can find priceless quotations, particularly from the Churchill, Thatcher and Blair eras, and encounter familiar faces – such as those of agent Kim Philby. Even architecturally speaking, this book contains subtle messages: an embassy, like other buildings of age, has its unique history, which entails initial design, changes, additions and adaptations.
British Embassies serves as a reminder to anybody involved in conservation that all phases and features have their place in the sometimes-complex story of a building and deserve respect. This book will appeal to anybody interested in historic buildings, historic interiors or diplomatic history, particularly to those interested in all three subject areas.
This article originally appeared as ‘Being British Abroad’ in IHBC's Context 163 (Page 55), published by The Institute of Historic Building Conservation in March 2020. It was written by Michael Asselmeyer, an historian and Architect.
--Institute of Historic Building Conservation
Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
IHBC NewsBlog
'Restoration and Renewal: Developing the strategic case' Published
The House of Commons Library has published the research briefing, outlining the different options for the Palace of Westminster.
Brum’s Broad Street skyscraper plans approved with unusual rule for residents
A report by a council officer says that the development would provide for a mix of accommodation in a ‘high quality, secure environment...
English Housing Survey 2022 to 2023
Initial findings from the English Housing Survey 2022 to 2023 have been published.
Audit Wales research report: Sustainable development?
A new report from Audit Wales examines how Welsh Councils are supporting repurposing and regeneration of vacant properties and brownfield sites.
New Guidance Launched on ‘Understanding Special Historic Interest in Listing’
Historic England (HE) has published this guidance to help people better understand special historic interest, one of the two main criteria used to decide whether a building can be listed or not.
"Conservation Professional Practice Principles" to be updated by IHBC, HTVF, CV
IHBC, HTVF, and CV look to renew this cross-sector statement on practice principles for specialists working in built and historic environment conservation roles.
Context No 177 Issued - Themed on working with Glass
Topics range from Manchester Cathedral’s stained glass to the long reign of Vitrolite, plus the IHBC North-West Branch conference and more.
Part of historic Old Courthouse in Cockermouth collapses into river
A section has fallen away and landed in the River Cocker below, including the back walls over three floors, sections of flooring and parts of the roof.
Scaffolding removed from Salisbury Cathedral after 37 years
Starting with a survey in 1986, the 'topping out' ceremony took place 7 Sep 2023.
Demolition of Kirkcaldy’s Category B former Kitty’s nightclub
Following a fire, engineers confirmed that the building faced complete demolition.