British Culture 1900-1940 Housing, Architecture and Living Spaces

British Culture 1900-1940 Housing, Architecture and Living Spaces

By Jessica Champion

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In the early twentieth century, a new form of architectural design, known as arts and crafts, took hold of British culture. Arts and crafts is symbolized by an informal, non-symmetrical form, often with dividers on doors and windows, criss-crossed, or lattice framework and tall chimneys. There was a very rustic feel, as well as cottage-like designs. This style of architecture continued to evolve into World War II, and had a significant infleunce on American architecture.

Medieval infleuences can be seen in the early twentieth century architecture.

Horwood House, 1912.

A sketching of a 1920's cottage-style home.

The interior style of this time period was a modern movement, straying from their victorian predecessor. Nature was the inspiration of many designs. The philosophy of the style was "middle-class", and without space for maids or servants. The fireplace and living room became a very family-focused area. Designers saw no need for a separate formal living area. Comfort was focused on more than formality.

Design philosophies of this time period included:

Find joy in work
Create objects that are not only well-designed, but affordable to everyone

Live simply
Stay connected to nature
Maintain integrity of "place"

Furniture in this era was more affordable than in the past. Designers of arts and crafts style furniture also focused heavily on hand-made furniture, and wanted to show the superiority it had to offer. There was a "revolt" against the "soulless" machine-made production of the Industrial Revoloution. Some people actually viewed the machines as evil. Rather than focus on production and making as much as possible in the shortest amount of time; designers really took their time in hand-crafting each piece.

British architecture and design during this time was a great movement towards modernization that is still present in our society of today. It focused on craftsmanship, details and family living spaces. Without the infleuence of british culture in this area, our American culture could be different, considering the infleuence it had on America. The Arts and Crafts Movement really paved the way into the twentieth century.

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Design and Industries Association

Click the above link to visit the DIA; Design and Industries Association. The DIA was formed in 1915, during the arts and crafts movement, observing the slogan "Nothing need be ugly".

Detmar Blow

Click the above link to read about Detmar Blow, an infleuential british architect of the early twentieth century.

Arts and Crafts Society

Click the above link to visit The Arts and Crafts Society. The society keeps the spirit of the movement alive, and has information available on events, books, and history.