Herbert Baker Society
Welcome to the Herbert Baker Society, a new initiative formed to promote the architectural and artistic legacy of Sir Herbert Baker.
We are currently working hard to set up the society, which will explore Herbert Baker’s contributions to the fields of architecture, design, craftsmanship and the arts.
Objectives of the Herbert Baker Society
- To promote the artistic and architectural legacy of Herbert Baker and his collaborators
- To promote collaborations between the arts and architecture
- To bring together owners, users, visitors and researchers of Herbert Baker buildings
- To champion excellence in craftsmanship, traditional building techniques, engineering and
conservation
- To encourage artistic thinking and practice, in the built environment.
- To offer training opportunities to those working with traditional building techniques and
conservation
Who was Herbert Baker?
Sir Herbert Baker (1862-1946) was one of the leading architects of the 20th century, not only in England but around the world. He built some of England’s most iconic 20th century buildings: the Bank of England, the HQ of the Church of England, War Memorials throughout Europe and the UK, and numerous country houses, universities and public buildings. Baker designed hundreds of buildings in South Africa, and worked on the creation of New Delhi, in partnership with his contemporary, Sir Edwin Lutyens. Baker was Knighted in 1926, won the RIBA Gold medal for Architecture in 1927, and became a member of the Royal Academy. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.
Throughout his long and prolific career, he continually looked to champion artistic thinking, and promote the skills of artists and craftsmen working within the field of architecture. He set up scholarship schemes to promote collaboration between the arts and architecture, and support emerging artists, architects and craftsmen. The Society aims to continue his legacy.