The Guildhall Testimonial Stop this folly

Most major public buildings and their Stop this folly interiors are familiar from photographs. Marcus Binney Courts are different. President of SAVE

The Pugin interiors of the Houses of the magnificent interiors with building legislation what sort of Parliament have been restored with furniture and fittings of the highest precedent will be created? No fine infinite care and pride over more than quality supplied to the specification interior will be safe from similar 20 years. Yet just across Parliament of the original architects. special pleading. Square the Department of Constitutional Affairs is proposing to The majority of these photographs If the Law Lords wish to deliberate in strip out Gothic Revival interiors of were taken in difficult circumstances a minimalist modern ambiance let equal quality and completeness for by Mr James Mortimer who was them commission a new building the proposed new . allowed little more than an hour to which can hold its own with the other The vandalism is the greater as the photograph three of the finest handsome and impressive supreme building in question, the Edwardian interiors in . courts around the world. Britain, as Guildhall, is far from redundant and No time was allowed to even tidy the the leading common law country in in intensive use as one of ’s rooms. But we must be thankful that the world, deserves nothing less. busiest criminal courts, the purpose we have been able to take these for which it was designed. photographs at all. SAVE is determined to challenge the Government, English Heritage and It was restored, modernised and With these photographs come a Westminster Council all the way in reopened by the in series of testimonials from leading this disgraceful matter. On the last 1989. What the present Lord authorities on Edwardian page we list ways in which you can Chancellor proposes is a disgrace, an architecture, interior design and support our campaign. example of needless destruction and furniture. They make it crystal clear waste which no other owner of a that the interiors of the Guildhall are Only very recently SAVE fought an listed building, public or private, of the very highest quality both in almost lone campaign to prevent the would be allowed to contemplate. terms of craftsmanship and artistic destruction of a masterpiece of distinction and completeness. Edwardian engineering – Span Four The “statement of importance” by in Paddington Station, brilliantly English Heritage on August 26, 2004 No other owner of a Grade II* listed designed to match the original work classed the three main Court interiors building would be allowed to strip by Brunel; one of the greatest as “unsurpassed by any other out interiors of this quality on the engineering geniuses of all time. courtroom of the period in terms of basis of a vague promise to display a That, too, looked a lost cause, but the quality and completeness of their few key pieces in the basement and Network Rail issued a statement in fittings”. find a home for the rest in some July 2006 withdrawing its proposals to other building not yet designed or demolish and announcing repair Most major public buildings and their built. works to the structure. interiors are of course familiar from photographs. Courts are different as a All the Government planning Please help us stop this madness, blanket prohibition of photography of guidance on listed buildings lays which will never be more than a court proceedings has been down a presumption in favour of temporary stop-gap solution. interpreted as a prohibition of all continuing the original use of a photography inside court buildings. historic building. So why make an exception for the highest court in the The first purpose of this SAVE report, land? If the Lord Chancellor and the like so many others before it, is to Law Lords can drive a proverbial show the quality of what is at stake – coach and horses through the listed

The throne of Court 1 with its intricately carved coat of arms. Art Deco influences can be seen in the treatment of the ogee arches and their spandrels The main staircase illustrates the quality of the ironwork, fittings and fixtures. The walls are stucco imitating stone Middlesex Guildhall was the crowning Testimonials: achievement of the career of James Glen Sivewright Gibson, one of the most original Architecture architects of the late Victorian and Edwardian times.

DAVID WALKER In partnership with Samuel Bridgman and the still more gifted Frank Chief inspector of historic buildings Scotland Russell, also from Wallace’s office, he Peyton Skipwith, who was 1976-1993, expert adviser to the National had a remarkable run of success in responsible for so much of the Heritage Memorial Fund 1980-99, competitions in the 1890s, notably at superb detail, inside and out, at the Professor of Art History in the University of the County Offices in Wakefield in Middlesex Guildhall. St Andrews 1994- , Director of University of 1894, West Ham Technical College in St Andrews Dictionary of Scottish Architects 1995 and Hull Library, only narrowly Middlesex Guildhall differs from project 2002-. missing Edinburgh North Bridge and Gibson’s other work in being gothic Cardiff City Hall where they came rather than baroque as at Walsall Middlesex Guildhall was the crowning second. Municipal Buildings and Debenham achievement of the career of James and Freebody’s in Wigmore Street. In Glen Sivewright Gibson, one of the All of these were brilliant freestyle its sheer originality of composition most original architects of the late designs developing themes from and detail it is the secular equivalent Victorian and Edwardian times. Born Collcutt. In 1900 he went on to a still of Giles Gilbert Scott’s Liverpool in Arbroath in 1861, sheer brilliance more successful phase in partnership Cathedral, and although a much took him from those unpromising with first Wallace and then with his smaller building it should be treated offices in Dundee to those of William associate Walter Symington Athol with exactly the same respect. British Wallace and most importantly Gordon, a pupil of the Beaux Arts - parallels outwith the mostly Thomas Edward Collcutt in London. trained Frank Worthington Simon, unrealised designs of Harry Wilson

Court 2, lit by powerfully designed electroliers and large windows facing a light well, remains a busy court room that imparts the full majesty of the law are hard to suggest. One has to think of the interior ensembles and their the leading Glasgow firm, Wylie & more in terms of the work of the good state of preservation was a Lochhead, who were associated with American Bertram Grosvenor revelation (like most Londoners I was the greatest days of Glasgow Goodhue: the Guildhall is quite familiar with the sophisticated and prosperity, employing distinguished simply a building of international rewarding late Gothic Revival exterior). designers such as E. A. Taylor, George importance in early twentieth century Logan, John Ednie. Already in 1882 gothic revival work, and the notion of Clearly there have been practical they had 1,700 employees. forming a museum of some of the interventions, particularly in the best interior work in that context is infilling of courtyards. But there has I was for over 23 years in the quite unacceptable: the building was been very little damage at all to the Furniture & Woodwork Department of designed as courts and it is hard to original interiors. All the components the Victoria & Albert Museum, ending see why the Law Lords cannot adapt of these grand ensembles, carved up as its Curator, before spending five to what exists. They would have had stone, plasterwork, oak roofs, years as Director of the Fitzwilliam to if Soane’s courts had survived, and panelling and furniture, tiles, stained Museum in Cambridge, and then Gibson’s building should not be glass, electroliers, and numerous seven years as Director of Historic treated any differently because it is details from door furniture to clothes Buildings of the National Trust. I Edwardian. It is not less important. hooks, constitute a paradigm of the continue active in retirement. I am ability of the final generation of shortly to serve as a Senior Research Gothic Revival architects to achieve Fellow at the Center for Advanced SIMON SWYNFEN JERVIS V.P.S.A congruity without monotony, Study in the Visual Arts, which is part supported by an extremely of the National Gallery of Art in On 7th August Mr Laverick showed me accomplished cast of builders, Washington. There, ironically, I shall round the at the craftsmen, suppliers etc. I was, be a stone’s throw from the United Middlesex Guildhall. As I had not been naturally, particularly impressed by States Supreme Court, housed in a inside the building before, the quality the excellent woodwork, executed by great purpose-built monument. How sad if its British equivalent were to be set up in a make-shift conversion, involving the vandalising of a distinguished Grade II* building.

The proposals involved the flattening out and reorientation of the former Council Chamber, the gutting of one excellently preserved court into a library, and the other into a committee room. I gather that a token and pathetic act of reparation would involve the retention of odd selected elements in a basement ‘museum’. Surely the obvious answer is for the Supreme Court to be housed elsewhere and for the present sympathetic use of the building to continue. Minor adjustments could JGS Gibson 1861-1951 Giant columns and Gibbs surrounds of windows are still permitted, but the turret and cupola shapes for instance are In the early 1880s Gibson moved to London, to the without any period precedent. Besides the grouping of masses is office of TE Colcutt. In 1889 he went into practice, to completely free. Altogether the architects have certainly enjoyed be joined in 1890 by SB Russell. They were successful being fanciful and have not minded being a little vulgar. But in a number of competitions including the LCC the whole is of a robust vitality which seems enviable today” hostel on Drury Lane, London 1891, the West Riding County Offices in Wakefield (1894 – free Tudor, 190ft The building includes a splendid pair of gesso panels tower), West Ham Technical College (1895), the by HC Fehr. In 1900 Gibson’s partnership with Russell North Bridge Scheme in Edingburgh 1896 and the ended and Gibson won the competition for Walsall Free Library Hull, and second in the competition for Municipal Buildings, with carving by Fehr, including Cardiff City Hall (1897, Edwardian Baroque). Pevsner women’s faces amongst the foliage. In 1906/7 with celebrates West Ham Technical College (now the Wallace and Gordon they worked on Debenham and University of East London) thus Freebody in London. The work on Middlesex Guildhall displays “delicate late Gothic detail with “Every conceivable motif is used which was available at that tendencies towards Art Nouveau, by FP Skipwith, peculiar moment in the history of English architecture when the killed in active service in 1915” (A. Stuart Gray, allegiance to forms of the past was at last thrown to the winds. Edwardian Architecture, Duckwork, London 1985) be made to bring the courts up to attention being given to interiors or date, witness the Scottish example. explanations of ornament. But the integrity of the ensembles is In fact today’s historians even what singles out the Guildhall. It is condemn the Guildhall with their dull quite remarkable that these have title of ‘late Gothic Revival’. survived so well. I urge your authority splendours of much of the Palace of to reject these proposals and to I was reminded of my time as a Westminster interiors. secure the survival and continued curator at the Victoria and Albert appropriate use of these Museum, when a member of a Palace The romantic, impressive and ‘fit for distinguished and enjoyable spaces. of Westminster’s Art Committee purpose’ embellishment of the requested the loan of early Georgian Middlesex Guildhall is equal in furniture as part of their 1970s importance to that of the Palace of JOHN HARDY destruction of some Palace interiors. Westminster. I wonder if those who He was amazed to learn that we are prepared to see the completeness During our tour of the beautiful and considered the l9th century Palace of its interiors destroyed, would be impressive interiors of Middlesex furnishings of any importance. His equally happy to see its exterior and Guildhall, it seemed to me that the visit lead to the Museum’s report on that of the building merits a written description the ‘Furniture in the ’, disfigured? detailing its embellishment and and this was followed by a chapter on furnishing. Then we would all better the Palace’s furniture contributed to understand its importance. M.H. Port’s, The Houses of Parliament PROF GAVIN STAMP (1976) by the late Clive Wainwright. FSA, Hon FRIAS, Hon FRIBA It appears to suffer, like so many As you know Clive was the author of Government buildings, from the lack ‘The Romantic Interior’, 1989; and The Middlesex Guildhall is one of the of a ‘curator’ with a proper archive of played a leading role in the best secular buildings of the Gothic information. A building of such preservation and restoration of the Revival, and certainly one of the very historical importance needs an informed explanation of its interior symbolism and iconography.

For instance, there is a label/tablet, like a key-stone, above the Guildhall’s triumphal entrance that represents the Palace of Westminster’s ancient Hall of Justice. This provides an explanation for the principal court room’s rich carvings, although no mention of this was made to assist our understanding of the decoration and furniture.

We are hindered by the 20th century architectural historians’ study of building exteriors, with little best of the 20th century. It is often thought that the national enthusiasm for the Gothic declined after the 1870s, but in truth the treatment of the style became more refined and elegant – both in church architecture and in the handful of secular buildings in the style. Gibson’s Guildhall is remarkable not just because it is an Edwardian public building that is Gothic rather than Baroque, but also because its Late Gothic style – a compliment both to the Abbey and to Parliament – is enlivened with a delicious Arts and Crafts - almost art nouveau - vigour in the details and in the sculpture. It can be related to the early parts of Liverpool Cathedral by Giles Gilbert Scott and, perhaps, to the contemporary work of Cram and The intricately carved linenfold panelling and Middlesex coat of arms below the throne in Court 1 Goodhue in the United States, but not to much else. The Middlesex Guildhall is a rare and in 1829 as cabinetmakers, All this can be seen, and enjoyed, on special building, of the highest upholsterers and undertakers they the exterior. What is a revelation is quality. When it is appreciated that it had diversified rapidly, and by 1900 the quality of the interior. The is not redundant but in regular use as were offering an astonishing range of invention in the handling of Gothic an Assize Court, the proposal to services, interior fittings and detail in the courts, the old council mutilate the interior for a purpose household goods as well as chamber and in the lobbies and which would be better served by a undertaking important contract work staircase is impressive, while the new building seems as monstrous as on the furnishing of individual rich, decorative quality of the it is gratuitous. houses, ships, churches, hotels and joinery, metalwork and furniture is institutional interiors like the superb. This imaginative and Glasgow City Chambers and thoughtful treatment of Late Gothic JULIET KINCHIN Middlesex Guildhall. Relatively few of sources, touched with a Renaissance Senior Lecturer and Hon Reader, these important commissions have feeling, can perhaps only be Department of History of Art, survived intact, but the quality of compared with another secular University of Glasgow workmanship, materials and design in public building, Basil Champney’s what remains is consistently high. I Rylands Library in Manchester, as At the time of the Middlesex heartily endorse the current well as with Giles Scott’s later use of Guildhall commission, Wylie & campaign to preserve the unique Gothic in the rebuilding of the Lochhead of Glasgow were one of interior of the Middlesex Guildhall. House of Commons. Britain’s largest and most pre- The firm operated a fashionable eminent furnishing firms. Established department store and factories in

Glasgow, but also had outlets in deferential but highly original London, Paris and Manchester, and a response to its neighbours in thriving export business supported by . The application an international network of agents in proposes a new use for Middlesex Europe, North America and the Guildhall as home of the Supreme British Empire. As well as employing Court. This would involve the in-house designers, Wylie & removal of exceptionally high quality Lochhead bought in designs from furnishings that were designed independent studios in Glasgow, expressly for the building and which Paris and London, from individuals constitute an integral part of its such as Christopher Dresser, CFA special interest. In addition, the Voysey and Jessie King. They also proposals for a new triple height collaborated with leading Scottish library in Court 1 would entail an architects such as James Sellars, unacceptable loss of historic fabric James Miller, and latterly Basil for which insufficient justification has ENGLISH HERITAGE Spence and Thomas Tait, but their been provided. The Foster & Partners name has come to be associated design seeks to create a ‘dramatic and “These three interiors are most closely with the ‘Glasgow Style’ contemporary library’ which we simply unsurpassed by any other courtroom around 1900, and figures like E A do not believe to be compatible with, of the period in terms of the quality Taylor, John Ednie and George Logan or appropriate in, such a nationally and completeness of their fittings.” who were all linked to the Glasgow significant historic building. Statement of Importance, August 2004 School of Art and the circle around Charles Rennie Mackintosh. If the building was redundant the “The building is constructed using the extent of alteration required to create finest craftsmanship of the period the Supreme Court facility would still including decorative work in stone, DR KATHRYN FERRY have to be justified against the wood, plaster and stained glass.” Senior Architectural Adviser, criteria set out in PPG15. As it is, Statement of Importance, August 2004 Victorian Society Middlesex Guildhall is currently in beneficial use as a Crown Court able “The building is the most The architectural style of Middlesex to function within the existing layout accomplished example of this Guildhall owes much to the 19th and with the original furnishings. We architect’s work” Statement of century Gothic Revival but its therefore believe that the scheme Importance, August 2004 architect, J S Gibson, also drew upon which has been given consent by more contemporary currents to create Westminster Council is contrary to a unique synthesis that Pevsner refers government guidance. to as Art Nouveau Gothic, a

If the scheme for the Supreme Court goes ahead, all of the furniture in Court 1 would be ripped out, the floor dropped to the basement, and the rear wall replaced with glass to allow the public a view of their Lordships in their triple height library Preliminary sketches of the Fielden and Mawson's proposed interiors for the new courts It is one of the most disgraceful things that Testimonials: they won’t build a new building for the The Price of Justice most important court in the land.

WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL LORD HOPE climate is for cost cutting, not for the building of a new acropolis.” “The decision to locate the United “In March 2004, in his written Law Quarterly Review, April 2005. Kingdom Supreme Court in evidence to the House of Lords Select “A phoenix from the ashes? Accommodating Westminster is welcomed and the Committee on the Constitutional a new Supreme Court” importance of locating the Court in a Reform Bill, Lord Falconer said that building of outstanding quality and in the Government believed strongly a setting of national importance that our highest court should be one MP Attacks Costs worthy of its unique status is which others could look to as a recognised.” beacon of excellence. Later in that The Department for Westminster City Planning and City evidence he said that it was Constitutional Affairs has been Development Report, August 2006 appropriate that the Supreme Court criticized my MPs for spending should sit in the nation’s capital, in more than £50million on “In December 2004, the Lord the same city as the legislature and management consultants in ten Chancellor announced that the the executive, and that he had years. Keith Vaz, a former DCA Middlesex Guildhall was the preferred undertaken to provide an appropriate minister under Labour, told the option. This decision was based on building that was suitably prestigious Commons Constitutional Affairs its prolific location, its fit with the with first class facilities. But almost Committee that its spending was requirements of the Supreme Court in the same breath the qualifications out of control. and its value for money.” began to appear. Value for money and The Times, Westminster City Planning and City affordability were to be among the Wednesday 18th October 2006 Development Report, August 2006 factors on which the final decision was to be based.” Law Quarterly Review, April 2005. JUDGE MOSES “A phoenix from the ashes? Accommodating a new Supreme Court” It is one of the most disgraceful things that they won’t build a new “The conclusion that I would draw is building for the most important court that the Lord Chancellor lacks the in the land. I feel so strongly about resources that would be needed to that. It shows a terrible meanness of meet the challenge of creating a new spirit and a complete building. Critically, the project misunderstanding of national culture appears not to have the support of and pride … the Treasury won’t pay the Treasury. No additional cash is to for one justifiable opportunity to be made available. Running costs, make a new public building. When which are likely to include a notional you go to the Supreme Court in rent to cover the cost of the Washington, I defy you not to have a refurbishment, are to be met by a lump enter your throat as you walk up surcharge on civil court fees in those steps. And that’s what the England and Wales and a public building should do. expenditure transfer of funds by the Interview with the Daily Telegraph 11/05/06 Scottish Executive…. The political The spectacular Court 3, originally the council chamber, would lose all its furniture under the scheme for the Supreme Court

The magnificent throne of Court 3. The proposals for the Supreme Court would see this removed and put on public display in the basement of the building The institution of a supreme court Testimonials: is a vital one and it should be housed with dignity in a skillfully designed building fit A New Building for for the purpose. a New Court

SIR STUART LIPTON insurgent Robert Ket in 1549, and The new court will, after all, have no holding court under a tree. other symbols. There are no plans for “This new project should honour our Letter to The Times 16th September 2006 the justices to wear robes, let alone great civic traditions of providing wigs. There are no plans for any form outstanding buildings in appropriate of ceremony, for a mace or for locations to enhance our position as LORD HOPE anything else of that kind.” a nation. We’re all creatures of our Law Quarterly Review, April 2005. environment, and visitors and foreign “No one who enters the chamber [at “A phoenix from the ashes? Accommodating businesses come to this country Holyrood], with its wide and open a new Supreme Court” because of our historic civic values. design and its remarkable arching roof of oak beams and latticed steel, The proposed conversion of the can fail to be impressed by the sheer LORD STEYN Middlesex Guildhall to Supreme scale and ambition of the place. Here Court illustrates current government is architecture at its most “In every constitutional democracy, practice of seeking the lowest cost adventurous and its most exciting. large or small, the Supreme Court is option which will have the least But there is dignity here too, and a accommodated in a dignified impact and benefit to society. The reassuring balance between the floor building fit for a co-ordinate branch institution of a Supreme Court is a where the work is done and the long of government. To accommodate our vital one and it should be housed and ample public galleries that Supreme Court in an unsuitable with dignity in a skillfully designed surround it on three sides. The building would be a signal to the building fit for the purpose, rather accommodation in the Parliament is, world that the values of than as a compromise where cost is of course, far more than would be constitutionality, allegiance to the the prime driver. Government has needed for a Supreme Court. But the rule of law and equal justice for all committed itself to producing public statement that this chamber are not held in high regard in our buildings on a whole-life basis where makes, that this is a Parliament for a country.” cost is valued for the life of the nation that believes in itself and that Quoted in Law Quarterly Review, building rather than as a short-term believes also in the value of April 2005. “A phoenix from the ashes? expedient. “ democracy, could serve as a model Accommodating a new Supreme Court” Letter to The Times 30th June 2006 for it too.” Law Quarterly Review, April 2005. “A phoenix from the ashes? Accommodating FABYAN EVANS PATRICK PHILLIPS, QC, a new Supreme Court” Resident Judge of Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court 1995-2005 Sir, If the Law Lords wish to sit at the “We have a right to expect the same level as parties appearing building which houses our Supreme Apart from government ministers and before them in the proposed new Court to be, in Lord Steyn’s words, a handful of civil servants who are Supreme Court, why not choose a [FN62] “a signal to the world” that the hastily, and no doubt loyally, structure designed for that purpose rule of law and equal justice for all implementing government policy, instead of mutilating the Middlesex are values that are held in the highest there are few if any who, with any Guildhall, one of the finest courts in regard throughout the United knowledge of the facts, are the land? Your sketch of Sept 14 Kingdom. If there is to be a signal to enthusiastic for the conversion of shows that their lordships are to sit the world, it has to be visible. Above Middlesex Guildhall into premises for in a barn-like building. Perhaps they all it is the building in which the the Supreme Court. Even the Lord should go further by emulating the court is housed that must provide it. Chancellor used guarded language when he first announced that the justice and bide their time while they court in the land. Middlesex Guildhall location was his “preferred option”. are added to the backlog of other is fit for its present purpose and the work with which the London courts justices of the Supreme Court The public should also take note that are currently burdened. These figures deserve a new building fit for their there are no current plans to replace are likely to be compounded within a own. the seven criminal courtrooms in few months. Letter to the Times Westminster or, as was proposed, 28th June 2006 elsewhere in Greater London. This It is not too late to think again. There will mean that the victims of more is no need to hurry about the creation than 300 cases will have to wait for of suitable premises for the highest

THE SCULPTOR London School, Schools of the busts by Mr Fehr include Ruskin, Mr Henry Charles Fehr RBS Royal Academy and taking all Robert Browning and William (1867-1940) the prizes for sculpture that were Morris, and famous public to be won. He “plunged with memorials include the widely Middlesex Guildhall is widely extraordinary courage into the copied Monument, acknowledged as Fehr’s elaborate problems of his at Hull, James masterpiece, its entire front art”(Edgar Hunt), first exhibiting Watt at Leeds, and John being described as a sculpture at the RA in 1887, and in 1893 Hampden and Lord Beaconsfield gallery, including the friezes with his sensational plaster of at . around the main entrance Perseus and Andromeda. Cast in illustrating King Henry III bronze in 1894, it was bought by “Mr Fehr.. combines with the granting a charter to the Abbey the President, Lord Leighton, sense of sculpture, a fine and of Westminster, King John and the Council for the Chantery poetic imagination and freedom granting the charter to the Collection. It was subject to of conception” (Speilman) Barons at Runnymeade. On the great critical acclaim, endorsed right is Lady Jane Grey accepting by, among others, by Sir John “He excels in every department the crown. Between the scenes, Everett Millais and Mr Alfred of his art, his absolute mastery in the elaborate niches, are Gilbert. It now stands outside of anatomy as shown in many of placed statues of Justice and in London. his delightful studies of the Prudence. Perhaps Fehr would nude, how he excels in perhaps, appreciate the irony. Fehr was Commissions included both the most difficult of all branches also responsible for the fine statues and portraiture, with his of sculpture, viz, portraiture.” carved oak bench ends bust of “Mr. Gladstone” (Edgar Hunt). illustrating the Kings and considered at the time by many Queens of England in Court 3 as to be the finest example of Source: Colchester War Memorial well as other elements of the portraiture in contemporary art, Souvenir, Editor Edgar A. Hunt JP decorative work. challenging Chantrey’s Sir Walter MRCS, LRCP, LSA Colchester 1923 Fehr was educated at the City of Scott. Other great memorial A Introduction to the Building and Proposals Adam Wilkinson

“The key issue is the extent of change that George Street CHK. The unusual use easier access to the building is of the new use will impose on the special of neo-gothic (for its time) represents course entirely acceptable. However, interest of this Grade II* listed building and a sturdy response to its remarkable when proposing the removal of the in particular on the outstanding quality of neighbours, standing its ground while Middlesex iconography from around the principal internal spaces of the entrance in no way dominating or distracting the door (on a shield above the main hall and Courts 1,2 and 3, together with attention from them. Gibson’s door and on plaques either side) the their layouts and fittings. The proposals are intention was to ‘keep it quite Department for Constitutional Affairs major interventions and will compromise distinct in scale and style so as to probably did not make the significantly the building’s special preserve its own individuality and act comparison with the Roman architectural and historic interest.” as a foil to the larger building”. Emperors’ habits of changing Westminster City Council Planning Report inscriptions on buildings and August 2005 The main entrance leads to a monuments. The arrogance of this vestibule – there is no great hall – action, then as now, is great, and it is and the Courts 1 and 2 are accessed a significant marker of the way in The Grade II* listed Middlesex from this space. These, and Court 3 which the rest of the building would Guildhall sits in Parliament Square (the former council chamber, be treated. on a site that has seen the sensitively adapted to court use), are administration of justice since the the spaces on which the architect and Once through the doors (it is not end of the 18th century, the current sculptor lavished most attention and clear whether these will survive), the building dating from 1913. It is the are the spaces that would suffer most character of the building will have result of one design and one building under the plans for the Supreme been fundamentally altered by the campaign, rather than the makeshift Court. The buildings was restored and proposals adaptation of buildings over time to adapted in 1985-88 by the Public suit new needs and requirements. Service Agency. While a reordering of the vestibule This is a result of its architect, James might allow the space to be better G S Gibson’s (1861-1951), brilliant appreciated, the Supreme Court reaction to the confined site on which THE PROPOSALS proposals go too far, in that they the building is situated. would result in the removal of the wall The Supreme Court would require facing the entrance, giving a clear view Squeezed into a space of roughly three committee rooms, a library and into what is now Court 1, (the 100ft x 160ft x 50ft (plus basements) ancillary accommodation for the proposed library), and radically are all the rooms, circulation spaces Justices and their support staff. The and storage required for a sessions new supreme court would use two court and local authority of the three committee rooms administrative centre, with grand full time, the third for the court rooms, prison accommodation, Judicial Committee of the archives, an even more imposing Privy Council. council chamber, offices and services, all naturally lit. Externally the proposed alterations to the The exterior is in white Portland building will be subtle stone, with exuberant sculpture but significant. The emphasising the focus of the alteration of the building, the entrance on to Little entrances to allow COURT 1

Court 1 manages to be both an impressive and intimate space through its lofty ceiling with its remarkable made of plaster but painted to look like stone (executed by Carl Maggioni), and its furniture: the distance from the judge to the defendant is no more than 7m. The judge sits in a fine throne surmounted by heraldic beasts, while in front, facing the defendant, is the Middlesex coat of arms, in amongst gloriously exaggerated linenfold panelling. The seats of the court are covered in red leather affirming its status as Court 1 – Court 2 is in green leather – reflecting the colours of the

Credit PSA House of Lords and House of This view of Court 1 clearly shows the layout of the high quality furnishings of the room. Commons across the square. Bench ends are carefully carved with crowns. altering the ordering of the building. them ripped out. This would entail a The court was originally heated by a The glazed tiles on the ground floor remarkable reversal from the forced air system, with vents built corridor walls (apart from those on the restoration of the courts carried in into the panelling. Details, such as south wall of the south corridor) will under the auspices of the PSA in 1988 coat and umbrella racks for the court be hidden behind new wall finishes. – a depressing sign of the times. staff remain in place. Natural light comes from lightwells either side of “This fundamental requirement of the brief the court, and massive decorative THE COURTS necessitates radical change to the existing electroliers provide the rest. room layouts, together with alteration of floor The interiors of the courts are quite levels to provide level floors and/or removal of Under the proposals, Court 1 would simply the very best built in the wall panelling, lobbies and fittings.” become the library. This would entail country from 1860 to the Great War, Westminster City Council planning report, the removal of all of its furniture, the in terms of the sheer quality and August 2006 sinking of the floor to the level of the richness of their interiors, furnishings basement, the removal of the lobbies and their layout. However, the needs In existing Courts 1, 2 and the (original) between the court and the vestibule of a Supreme Court are entirely Council Chamber (existing Crown Court 3) and the replacement of the solid wall different from those of a Crown Court: the layouts, finishes and fittings are an between these with a glass wall. The there are no defendants, witnesses, important part of the building’s special furniture would be stored and evidence or jurors, making the interest. The joinery fittings in Court 3 are possibly dispersed and reused in furniture (and indeed custody areas) particularly fine.” other courts, the throne put on redundant. Consequently the plans Westminster City Council planning report, display in the basement. for the Supreme Court would see August 2006 A stained glass window commemorating the restoration of the building in 1989. These works represented a significant investment in the future of the building - an investment which the proposals for the Supreme Court threaten to undo COURT 2 dragons and others. Each seat has a Lords to process in more neatly, with fold out writing table in front of it, new furniture incorporating the Although a similar size to Court 1, many retain their original ink wells existing bench ends. The throne Court 2 feels much more spacious, in and electronic voting mechanisms would join the other two in the part due to the public gallery being in from the room’s days as a council basement display space, and the the form of a loggia at first floor level, chamber – in this role it could seat benches alongside it, with their and partly due to the ceiling, timber 100. It is lit by six large perpendicular leonine arm rests, would be used in a and plaster painted white rather than gothic windows and massive, waiting room outside the court room stucco imitating stone. It is however powerfully decorated electroliers. actually a little smaller, with the “The outstanding quality of the joinery in judge sitting even closer to the It is a splendid architectural set piece this room includes bench ends with carvings defendant. The layout is similar to and clearly the focus of a great deal by Henry Fehr, sculptor of the external Court 1, as is the impressive quality of pride, not only that of its builders statuary and friezes.” Westminster City of its furnishings - however, the seats but also of its everyday users. Council Planning Report, August 2006 are covered in green leather. The proposals for the Supreme Court Again, the proposals for the Supreme would level the floor and turn the axis Court would see the removal of the through 90˚ in order to allow the Law furniture, with the throne displayed in the basement and the other furniture stored and then possibly reused in Fittings and Fixtures: law and comprised in the building” – another building. The floor would be listing although exceptions are made levelled and new furniture installed, for industrial mill buildings. and a platform lift installed in one of Listing covers an entire building Included in that definition is the lobbies and it is the case that English “any object or structure fixed to Heritage routinely refuses to list the building”. buildings of a similar date to the COURT 3 Guildhall where the interior has In the case of Middlesex been substantially altered – Guildhall, the furniture falls into Court 3 is the most spectacular of the indeed it frequently appears to this latter category, all the more three main courts – a large space with be the case that alterations to an so as it is a fundamental part of balconies at either end, a powerful interior are used as an excuse the design of the building, vitally roof imitating the traditional not to list. important to understanding its hammerbeam construction found in history and function. The removal Westminster Great Hall, here In law it is a “building” that is of the furniture is akin to ripping decorated with vigorous angels and listed, but what constitutes a out the box pews from a Georgian floral bosses. building is not entirely clear. The church – unthinkable today . That 1971 Act defines it thus “… any Westminster City Council has The furniture of the court is laid out structure or erection and any allowed Government to walk all in a semi-circle, with the spectacular part of a building structure or over law and established listed judge’s throne its focus. The bench erection but does not include buildings precedent is extremely ends are carved with Fehr’s kings and any plant or machinery discomforting. queens of England, and various beasts atop these – lions, boars,

The layout of the fine furnishing in Court 2 is evident in this view from the public gallery

THE WIDER ARCHITECTURAL not contain the luscious detail of patent closets) with sophisticated CONTEXT the Guildhall courtrooms. A more plan form and excellent interior. contemporary building to the The Grade II listed Preston County Middlesex Guildhall belongs to a Guildhall in London is the Central Sessions House has been small number of architecturally Criminal Court, listed Grade II* sensitively refurbished and important courts built from 1860 to (EW Mountford 1902-07). modernised under the watchful eye 1914 known as “swagger courts” for of Jim Stevenson of hurdrolland their ebullient expression of the Perhaps no greater a celebration of with its glorious Edwardian import and dignity of justice. the law can be found than in Aston interiors. Webb’s Victoria Law Courts in Survivors include GE Street’s Birmingham with its wonderful Sources: Ordering Law (Clare masterpiece, opened in 1882, the great hall. By contrast, a modest Graham, Ashgate, 2004), Silence In Grade I listed Royal Courts of but delightfully detailed swagger Court (Richard Pollard, SAVE Justice. It is a remarkable building court is Liverpool County Sessions Britain’s Heritage, 2004) in every respect, although its House (which even retains its 1880s deliberately austere interiors do original wooden seated Shanks

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Simon Thurley Rt Hon Tony Blair Chief Executive 10 Downing Street English Heritage London SW1A 2AA 1 Waterhouse Square 138 – 142 Holborn Lord Falconer London EC1N 2ST The Lord Chancellor Department for Constitutional Affair Rt Hon Tessa Jowell Selborne House Secretary of State for Culture, 54 Victoria Street Media and Sport London SW1E 6QW 2-4 Cockspur Street London SW1Y 5DH

ISBN 0-905978-52-8

Copyright SAVE Britain’s Heritage 2006

Photographs reproduced with kind permission of James Mortimer and Wojciech Wagner

Report compiled by Adam Wilkinson

SAVE would like to thank: The staff and Friends of Middlesex Guildhall Simon Jervis, John Hardy, Juliet Kinchin, Gavin Stamp, Kathryn Ferry, Fabyan & Karen Evans, Ev Cook, David Walker, Robin Ollington and Frank Lee The Clock is Ticking

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