Peter Womersley
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Published in his centenary year, this book celebrates the life and work of the British architect Peter Womersley (1923-1993). From Farnley Hey near Huddersfield, his award-winning first building completed in 1954, to the angular, look-no-hands concrete structure of the Fairydean football stand in Galashiels, Womersley continuously pushed the frontiers of architectural design. Working from a small office in the remote Scottish Borders village of Gattonside, he claimed a place on the world stage: nowhere was this more apparent than in the California-inspired High Sunderland near Selkirk, the ‘See-Through House’ built for Bernat Klein. Six of Womersley’s buildings in Scotland are now listed, three at the top-rate of Category A, while Farnley Hey is listed Grade II.
Yet, despite such success, Womersley’s work is at risk: the Category A Bernat Klein studio is derelict while the Category B Garlton Admissions Unit at Haddington, is boarded-up and the site deserted. The intention of this new book is to draw attention to the significance of his work, placing it in its national and international context. With plans and illustrations of all his buildings and projects, as well as a catalogue raisonné including a bibliography by buildings, this book will secure Womersley’s reputation.
Yet, despite such success, Womersley’s work is at risk: the Category A Bernat Klein studio is derelict while the Category B Garlton Admissions Unit at Haddington, is boarded-up and the site deserted. The intention of this new book is to draw attention to the significance of his work, placing it in its national and international context. With plans and illustrations of all his buildings and projects, as well as a catalogue raisonné including a bibliography by buildings, this book will secure Womersley’s reputation.
Neil Jackson is Professor Emeritus of Architecture at the University of Liverpool, Past-President of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and an architect (RIBA).