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There is a distinctive quality about any building designed by Paley & Austin. This is obviously most true of their new churches but even in their restorations of existing churches, such as Hornby, the quality of their work is evident. After a while even the amateur feels that they can say whether a building is by ‘the firm' or not.
What then is it that makes their work so distinctive? Is it the quality of the external design? - their interiors? - or just the overall quality of the construction?
Collectively the partners had a catholic output both by type and scale it is their churches which provide their greatest monument. The early churches of Edmund Sharpe were Gothic in style but not historically correct - and not until Paley was working alone can we say that the Gothic spirit wholeheartedly affected their church work. Paley produced ‘solid, competent and dull churches' but ones which were correct. With the arrival of Austin the quality of the work improves markedly.
“The recognisable motifs and features which help to create the aesthetic flavour and individuality of their style in its mature phase are majestic towers, recessed spires, chequer work, an asymmetrical treatment of the north and south sides of the chancel, very wide aisleless naves, furnishings with late Gothic and seventeenth century elements and influence from contemporary ‘Art furniture,' a frequent use of red sandstone ashlar which makes for a feeling of quietness, refinement and quality… (while) Perpendicular of late Decorated and Perpendicular predominated … (yet) sometimes Perpendicular being departed from without loss of the firm's aesthetic flavour. The later work of the Austin and Paley era took on a squared-off Gothic look and became stereotyped and conventionalised … inevitably meaning that it would become mechanical. There was a loss of zest though still much to admire.'
(The Victorian Society)
If their churches were mostly Gothic the practice was prepared to use a wide variety of styles for other buildings. For houses and other public building Paley & Austin often favoured a Tudor or Jacobean style. |
