The Influence of Material on Architecture. By Banister F. Fletcher.
(B. T. Batsford.) — This exceedingly interesting essay obtained the medal of the Royal Society of British Archi- tects in 1896, and is now reprinted with illustrations. The author traces the forms of Assyrian buildings to the fact that bricks alone were available in large quantities. Hence the early discovery of the arch where no large stones for lintels were to be had. Besides the structural considerations, the decorative influence of brick is also traced in the Lombard churches. The bold cornices and massive columns common in the parts of Italy where marble was easily to be got, give place to the delicate mouldings and airy columns and arches of such buildings as the Certosa of Pavia. Delicate richness takes the place of boldness where terra-cotta is used and the units of the building are small. Mr. Fletcher's contention is that the use of a new material always produces a new style, and instances the Roman builders, who, although they retained Greek columns, used them merely as a screen in front of their concrete and brickwork. The same thing is going on with the modern use of iron. The result seems to be the same as in the Roman instance,—architecture is lost in engineering. The author con- siders that iron should be frankly recognised, and allowed to show itself, instead of being hidden by a screen of masonry. By fully accepting the new material, he considers that a new and characteristic style will rise up. The Forth Bridge and the Eiffel Tower, however, are not encouraging.
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