"A new series of frank and fearless thought expressed and co-ordinated in stone" - The Studio magazine (1902.) This quote describes Townsend's biggest achievements: The Bishopsgate Institute, The Whitechapel Art Gallery and the Horniman Museum. These buildings are showing us that Townsend was inspiring and original architect who used his own individual and unique style. Townsend`s usual work was for small scale projects, like restoration of churches and cottages into residences in London and Surrey. But, what he is mostly known for are these three public buildings in London. Looking at the building, I realized that Arts and Crafts styles were used in developing the design, and that probably a lot of people had worked on it, so it would be …show more content…
in Birkenhead, son of a solicitor and his wife, a Polish pianist. Townsend was an English architect and he attended The Birkenhead school. When he turned 16 he was articled to Walter Scott, Liverpool architect. From 1873-75 he was with Charles Barry and after that he joined Edward Robert Robson's office at new London school board. At that time he started to travel especially to northern Italy. Townsend set up his own office in 1877 and in 1880 he moved to London with his family to become a partner with the London architect Thomas Lewis Banks in 1884. In 1888, Charles became a member of the Art Workers Guild and at that time he was also elected a Fellow of Royal Institute of British Architects. Throughout his career he was an active member of both organisations and in 1903. he became Master of the Art Workers …show more content…
Despite the fact it was edgy design Charles still included some traditional concept, like a classical mural by Robert Bell and the Tree of Life. These motifs were popular at the time with other artists such as William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones. Horniman clock tower which was built in 1898. – 1901. is the landmark of Horniman museum and is made out of doulting stone. The price was about £ 40 000 and was designed by Charles Townsend. Near the entrance is a drinking fountain which is made from bronze and stone, designed by J. Wenlock Rollins. Another museum's attraction was the gorgeous grounds which people could visit. On the London road elevation of the building there is a huge mosaic designed by Robert Anning Bell which was finished in 210 days by young women team in 1898. The mosaic is a symbol of personal restraint, personal goals, the gates symbolise birth and death and figures are a symbol of poetry, music, arts, ability, humanity, hope, love, wisdom... The panel is 3 meters high and 9.7 meters long. They used pastel colours because they thought they are more appropriate to the climate. This mosaic is great example of Arts and Crafts style (local materials, working as a team to make sure all details give full effect, trying to raise and to develop visitor's character). "Townsend planned two long and equal halls end to end, to account for the long, narrow and sloping site which could not be levelled; this was the original site of