Sir Edward Lutyens Background and analysis of the work of this 20th Essay

Sir Edward Lutyens Background and analysis of the work of this 20th Century Architect - Essay Example Lutyens was responsible for many notable buildings. He designed the Art Gallery in Johannesburg, the British Embassy in Washington, both Oxford and Cambridge University buildings and the Irish National War Memorial in Dublin, among many others. He quickly demonstrated a mastery of Baroque architecture, often embracing classical styles of design as well as the design of New Delhi. Many of his works can still be visited today. The 19th and 20th centuries were a part of a very important era in architecture. One of the great architects of today use the works that were created during this era as inspiration for their own work. Many of the buildings that are seen through out America as well as other countries comes from the influence that this era has had on architecture as a whole. One of these very influential architects that are so often used for inspiration today is Sir Edwin Lutyens. He is often noted for this his contribution to building design for his and other eras to come. Sir Edwin Lutyens was a prominent architect of the late 19th and early 20th century. In fact, he may have been one of the most important English architects of the early twentieth century. He was influenced greatly by traditional styles and building methods. Sir Edward Lutyens was brought up by bohemian parents in the village of Thursley, West Surrey. As a child, Lutyens was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and was not able to attend school or to play with the other children. It could be argued that this is one reason for his fascination with children. At the age of 16, in 1885, Lutyens was enrolled at the Royal College of Art to study architecture. He later studied Architecture at South Kensington School of Art, London from 1885 to 1887. After college he joined the Ernest George and Harold Ainsworth Peto architectural practice. In 1889, at the age of 20, he set up an independent practice in London. He initially built his practice designing houses for the villagers who couldn't afford estate homes. His first commission was a private house at Crooksbury, Farnham, Surrey. Lutyens was often described as a whimsical person who was often very playful, even on solemn occasions. He was also seen as a passionate advocate for the state of "childhood". In dedication to this passion, as one of his 20th century works, Lutyens proposed a circular nursery for a client's home because he felt that only such a shape could ensure that no child would ever be made to stand in the corner. He often used circular shapes in his architecture as a sign of equality in society. In addition to his own works, Lutyens contributed to another childhood icon by creating the fairy-tale characters Nana, the governess dog and the ticking crocodile in the Peter Pan tale. Lutyens' talent was publicly recognized with his election as Associate of the Royal Academy in 1913. Five years later, on New Years Day 1918, he was knighted in recognition of his work in Delhi and for his free services to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. In 1921, Lutyens was awarded