Waterhouse, Alfred (1830-1905), architect
"Your buildings must faithfully adapt themselves to those for whom you build: must embody their requirements, and give them what they want, in the most direct way possible. Do not let the conventionalities of style interfere with this. First find out exactly what is wanted; never think about the elevation of your building till you have ascertained this, and embodied it in your plans as fully and perfectly as you can. Afterwards clothe the building so planned in the most fitting dress you can devise. The dress may be in many cases extremely simple, in others ornate; it may have to be sometimes severe, sometimes of exquisite beauty if you can make it so." – Presidential address to architecture students in 1889
The Quaker architect Alfred Waterhouse was born in Liverpool and worked first in Manchester, where he made his name at the age of 29 when he won an open design competition for Manchester's new Assize Courts. He then went on to design the enormous neo-gothic Manchester Town Hall (1868-1877). He is perhaps most famous for the magnificent design of the Natural History Museum (1866-1881), in London, with terra cotta facing in yellow, red and light blue. He became one of the most prolific architects of the Victorian period, working in a variety of styles, often choosing terra cotta for details. Other famous works include the Liverpool Lime Street Station Hotel (1868-71), and Oxford's Balliol College. By the 1880s he was known as Britain's leading architect. He was President of the Royal Institute of British Architects from 1888 to 1891 and a noted member of the Royal Academy and won numerous awards and medals for his work.
Waterhouse lived in Berkshire for around thirty-five years, firstly when he moved to Foxhill in Whiteknights Park, the land being owned by his parents. He built the house for himself in 1868 and it is now part of the University. He then built a new larger house Yattendon Court in 1877-8, where he lived until he died. Waterhouse worked on sixteen buildings in the Reading area, the first in 1859 being Erleigh Park, Whiteknights. Amongst the other notable local buildings he designed are Caversham Free Church in 1865, Reading School 1868-1871, Leighton Park School 1890, and perhaps most familiar to Reading people Reading Town Hall in 1874-6.
Link to the Dictionary of National Biography (only from a Library terminal).
Alfred Waterhouse
One of our Local Studies prints of Reading Town Hall: Reading Town Hall, Blagrave Street. Engraving by Wilmsley from "The Builder," 3 February 1877, entitled "New Municipal Buildings, Reading, Berkshire. Mr. Alfred Waterhouse, architect." The print has a round top.
Find out more information about Waterhouse's work on the Town Hall at the Reading Museum website:
Other External Links to more information:
Biography at the Royal Berkshire History website
Pictures from the National Portrait Gallery
Natural History Museum
Manchester Town Hall
Reading School
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