070720.Combe Down, Weathered Timber Throughout the Day
July 20, 2007 at 2:36 pm | In Architecture, Bath, Chisel Marks, Combe Down, Light and Shadow, countryside, somerset | 4 Comments
One of Bath’s joys is its incredible stone. Containing just a bit of iron, the stone has a warm creamy color that positively glows at sunrise and sunset. Like Italy, almost the entire place is constructed with the same material, so the color surrounds the viewer and makes the whole rigorously ordered, individualistic, and finely executed pieces of architecture feel as if all part of one piece. As such, Bath is a World Heritage site, rightfully treated as one entity but this singularity on the wealth of Georgian architecture and its unique building material discriminates against the other materials of bath, such as the brick Gothic Cottage of Sion Hill and this engaging more or less modern timber structure, just off Prior Park. Rebel materials in this Bath stone town have enjoyed brief periods of popularity. For instance, when before the Kennet and Avon canal, brick (imported) was far more expensive than finely cut ashlar Bath stone! There is at least one example of a Bath stone house with a one brick thick front facade. I enjoy this house for the same reason, mainly its surrounding Bath stone wall, which you find throughout the city and countryside here. Besides, it has a great view!
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This cottage looks like a New England colonial cottage–how old is it? You said modern. And those truly odd trees in the view at bottom, were they cut down and then they sprouted like mad? Very different, would never think this was Bath.
Comment by barbara — July 20, 2007 #
Bricks = joy.
Comment by JosyC — July 20, 2007 #
I am totally amazed at the turnouts here and there. And everywhere.
Comment by Abraham Lincoln — July 21, 2007 #
For a moment I thought you had taken a photo in the States, then I saw the stone fence made of Bath stone, and I was back in Merrye Olde England.
Comment by ms. place — July 23, 2007 #