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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 April 2016
More than thirty books containing designs for country houses were published in England between 1780 and 1815. Their character and content give an indication of the changes in the conception and creation of country houses in a period which saw the rise of a very large number of superficially diverse and idiosyncratic domestic buildings. Country house building activity as a whole in this period has not before been systematically studied. An investigation of the design publications of the period is a good starting point for such a study.
The range of these publications is wide, encompassing expensive folio editions of large and lavish houses for rich patrons as well as modest designs for farmers and country gentlemen. They contain the greatest amount of written theory by contemporary architects relating to the design of country houses.
1 Only first editions are included. Subsequent editions tended to differ little from the original. The place of publication is generally London.
2 MacPacke, Jose, Οικιδια or Nutshells (1785).Google Scholar
3 Thomas, William, Original Designs in Architecture (1783), Preface.Google Scholar
4 Plaw, John, Sketches for Country Houses, Villas, and Rural Dwellings (1800).Google Scholar
5 Malton, James, A Collection of Designs for Rural Retreats, as Villas (1802).Google Scholar
6 Elsam, Richard, An Essay on Rural Architecture (1803).Google Scholar
7 Lugar, Robert, Architectural Sketches (1805).Google Scholar
8 Dearn, T. D. W., Sketches in Architecture (1807).Google Scholar
9 Pocock, W. F., Architectural Designs for Rustic Cottages (1807).Google Scholar
10 Busby, C. A., A Series of Designs for Villas and Country Houses (1808).Google Scholar
11 John Soane, Sketches in Architecture (1793).Google Scholar
12 Gandy, Joseph, Designs for Cottages, Cottage Farms and Other Rural Buildings (1805).Google Scholar
13 Gyfford, E., Designs for Elegant Cottages and Small Villas (1806).Google Scholar
14 Lewis, James, Original Designs in Architecture (1780), Book I.Google Scholar
15 Soane, John, Plans, Elevations and Sections of Buildings (1788).Google Scholar
16 Plaw, John, Ferme Ornee; or, Rural Improvements (1795).Google Scholar
17 Laing, David, Hints for Dwellings (1800).Google Scholar
18 Plaw, John, Rural Architecture (1802).Google Scholar
19 Miller, J., The Country Gentleman's Architect (1805).Google Scholar
20 Atkinson, William, Views of Picturesque Cottages (1805).Google Scholar
21 Lugar, Robert, Plans and Views of Buildings (1811).Google Scholar
22 Richardson, George, New Designs in Architecture (1792)Google Scholar; The First Part of a Complete System of Architecture (1794); New Vitruvius Britannicus (1802).
23 Mitchell, Robert, Plans and Views (1801).Google Scholar
24 Elsam, op. cit., pl. 13.
25 Gyfford, op. cit., pl. 19, 20.
26 Lugar, , Plans and Views, Tillichuen, Scotland, design.Google Scholar
27 Aikin, E., Designs for Villas (1808).Google Scholar
28 Finborough was eventually built by Francis Sandys, not by Elsam.
29 By James Wyatt in the Castle style.
30 Woods, J., ‘On Villas', essay published by the London Architectural Society (1807), pp.98–99.Google Scholar
31 Middleton, Charles, Views for Cottages (1793).Google Scholar
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33 Gandy, op. cit., pl. 35.
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36 Plaw, , Sketches (1800).Google Scholar
37 Lugar, Plans and Views.
38 Wood, John of Bath, A Series of Designs for Cottages (1781).Google Scholar
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40 Edmund Aikin, op. cit.
