British Interiors - Architects - Nicholas Hawksmoor (1661 - 1736)

Nicholas Hawksmoor (1661 - 1736)

Nicholas Hawksmoor is famed for his role as the architectural assistant to Sir Christopher Wren and Sir John Vanbrugh rather than his individual achievements.

However, he is credited with providing what the principle architect was lacking. Howard Colvin, a formidable biographer of the British architects described Hawksmoor as "more assured in his command of the classical vocabulary than the untrained Vanbrugh, more imaginative in his vision than the intellectual Wren."

Hawksmoor was an avid studier of architectural movements and was particularly interested in the Renaissance movement and Antiquity. His knowledge of Italian baroque, despite never having visited the country, helped him to become a leading figure in the English baroque movement. It was his knowledge of the theories and work of the past masters that made him an invaluable assistant.

Working with Wren

Between 1684 and 1700 Hawksmoor worked with his teacher, Christopher Wren, on his most famous projects after his architectural talents were discovered after he worked with the plasterer Gouge and as a clerk in Wren's offices.

Projects he worked on included St Paul's Cathedral, Chelsea Hospital and Greenwich Hospital. His talent was rewarded when he was named Clerk of the Works at Kensington Palace and Deputy Surveyor of Works at Greenwich. However, he lost these positions when Wren was replaced by Benson and consequently Benson replaced Hawksmoor with his brother.

This loss of status marked a turning point in Hawksmoor's career and the start of his collaborations with Sir John Vanbrugh.

Projects with Vanbrugh

Hawksmoor worked with Vanbrugh on projects that include Castle Howard and Blenheim Palace. Hawksmoor's main role in the partnership appears to have been to create a practical architectural solution to the grand visions of Vanbrugh, aided by the training he had received from Wren.

Hawksmoor even took over the work at Blenheim Palace after the relationship between Vanbrugh and the Duchess irreparably broke down.

Easton Neston (1702)

Hawksmoor built Easton Nestor for Lord Lempster and it was the only country house project that involved Hawksmoor as the sole architect. It is believed that he was given the commission because Lord Lempster's wife was Sir Christopher Wren's relation.

One of the most unusual features of the house is that from the front and rear aspects of the house it appears that there are only 3 floors. However, if viewed from the side aspects it is clear that there are in fact 5 floors.

This is due to the fact that there are 2 low level servants' floors sandwiched between the 2 upper floors. The house was designed before the invention of servant bell networks throughout the house, therefore, the servants quarters were placed in between the two upper floors of the house.

Hawksmoor's Six London Churches

Hawksmoor is also credited with having solely designed 6 churches that were built in accordance with the Parliamentary Act of 1711.

They are:

  • St Alfege's Church, Greenwich
  • St George's Bloomsbury
  • Christ Church, Spitalfields
  • St George in the East, Wapping
  • St Mary Woolnoth
  • St Anne's Limehouse

All the churches are striking designs and have a clear Classical style, with Gothic and baroque influences. St George's in Bloomsbury has an enormous portico, despite being a compact church.

St George in the East has huge pepper pot towers and all of the churches have adventurous steeples and towers. Therefore, despite their classical appearance each of the churches has striking peculiarities.

Hawksmoor and Oxford

Hawksmoor designed a number of buildings for Oxford University. The Clarendon Building was constructed between 1711 and 1715 to house the Oxford University Press and was funded mainly by the proceeds from History of the Great Rebellion written by the Earl of Clarendon.

Nicholas Hawksmoor also designed the North Quadrangle at All Soul's College. The design has very strong Gothic and baroque influences and was completed in the 1730s.

Hawksmoor's final project with Oxford was the suggestion that the Radcliffe Camera should be a library with a unique circular design. However, he died before these ides could come to fruition and the idea was developed a later stage by James Gibbs.

Westminster Abbey

Nicholas Hawksmoor is responsible for the two distinctive towers that are an extension of the lower Gothic section, at the western end of the Abbey. He became Surveyor of the Abbey when Wren died in 1723.

The towers were built between 1722 and 1745. They are constructed from Portland Stone and are an early example of Gothic Revival in English architecture.