 |
Edward
Building
|
||
|
Click link on thumbnail. More images...! In perspective - against NEM House . . |
Location
|
Harare, CBD | |
|
Designers
|
J.A. Cope-Christie & Cowper | ||
|
Date
|
1936 | ||
|
Original
Client
|
H.M. Barbour, Chain store owner | ||
|
Style
|
Art deco | ||
|
Discussion
|
J.A.
Cope-Christie was 77 when he designed what was to be one of his best non-classical
buildings. Based on classical principles, the elements were reduced to
a simple rectilinear design, using the minimum of curves. Its architecture
speaks of modernism with a very strong lean towards art deco.
Despite its height, it is only a double-storey structure, with first floor office chambers over ground floor retail shops. The concrete verandah has a very plain cornice, supported on rectangular columns with very stylised flutings and rectilinear capitols. The first floor façade divided into recessed vertical panels speaks very much of art deco, with diagonal basketwork panels below the cornice. The top third of each of the Edwardian-style sash windows have small panes, over a clear glazed bottom section. Ornamentation is carried through with little lion heads in the string course. Curves to the façade are only introduced at the corners, where a pair of round columns with an 'egg and dart' pattern and cushion type capitols support the curved basketwork balcony. Also, above the central main entrance on the east-facing (First Street) façade, where an arched glazed door, behind a basketwork balcony contributes to a visual focus for the composition. The office chambers are entered through fine glazed hardwood doors back in a lobby paved in ceramic tiles. Horizontal metal beadings reflect the rectilinear styling of the building. Situated diagonally opposite from N.E.M. House, this street corner provides a cosmopolitan mix of modern, classical and art deco styles. Ref. The Author |
||
|
Web
Resources
|
. . . |
||
|
Credits
|
Peter Jackson Borrowdale Dan - Photo |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
© 2000-2003 All Rights Reserved. All copyrights on images and trademarks presented here remain property of their respective owners. No images shall be copied, reproduced or distributed without the written consent of the author. No infringement of rights is meant or implied. We will not be responsible nor liable for any loss or damage, including but not limited to loss of profits, goodwill or indirect or consequential loss arising out of any use of or inaccuracies in any information on this site. |