9781837723065
Distributed for University of Wales Press
Sidney Colwyn Foulkes
The Architecture of a Reluctant Modernist
The first in-depth study of a visionary architect who shaped modern Wales.
Sidney Colwyn Foulkes (1884–1971) was one of the most significant regional architects of the UK, yet his work has remained largely unexamined. In this fascinating profile, Adam Voelcker changes that. Sidney Colwyn Foulkes: The Architecture of a Reluctant Modernist details the legacy of an architect whose designs leveraged both tradition and innovation, leaving a lasting imprint on the built environment of Wales and beyond.
From schools and cinemas to public housing and town halls, Foulkes played a key role in shaping twentieth-century architecture, particularly in his hometown of Colwyn Bay. His pioneering landscaping projects in areas of natural beauty further cemented his influence, blending modernist principles with sensitivity to place. This book repositions Foulkes as a major figure in British architecture, providing a deeper insight into his career and his impact on the evolution of modern architecture in Wales.
Sidney Colwyn Foulkes (1884–1971) was one of the most significant regional architects of the UK, yet his work has remained largely unexamined. In this fascinating profile, Adam Voelcker changes that. Sidney Colwyn Foulkes: The Architecture of a Reluctant Modernist details the legacy of an architect whose designs leveraged both tradition and innovation, leaving a lasting imprint on the built environment of Wales and beyond.
From schools and cinemas to public housing and town halls, Foulkes played a key role in shaping twentieth-century architecture, particularly in his hometown of Colwyn Bay. His pioneering landscaping projects in areas of natural beauty further cemented his influence, blending modernist principles with sensitivity to place. This book repositions Foulkes as a major figure in British architecture, providing a deeper insight into his career and his impact on the evolution of modern architecture in Wales.
160 pages | 16 color plates, 49 halftones | 6.14 x 9.21 | © 2025
Architecture: Architecture--Biography
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
List of illustrations
Preface
Chapter 1: The Formative Years
Chapter 2: From Arcadias to Plazas
Chapter 3: Civic Pride
Chapter 4: Community Service
Chapter 5: Homes Fit for Housewives
Chapter 6: Parish and People
Chapter 7: Bread and Butter – and sometimes Jam: Private Houses
Chapter 8: Some Further Projects
Chapter 9: ‘A new orbit’ – Industrial Landscaping
Chapter 10: ‘A Man for All Seasons’
Chapter 11: Postscript
Appendix – obituary by Clough Williams-Ellis
List of Selected Jobs
Select Bibliography
Index
List of illustrations
Preface
Chapter 1: The Formative Years
Chapter 2: From Arcadias to Plazas
Chapter 3: Civic Pride
Chapter 4: Community Service
Chapter 5: Homes Fit for Housewives
Chapter 6: Parish and People
Chapter 7: Bread and Butter – and sometimes Jam: Private Houses
Chapter 8: Some Further Projects
Chapter 9: ‘A new orbit’ – Industrial Landscaping
Chapter 10: ‘A Man for All Seasons’
Chapter 11: Postscript
Appendix – obituary by Clough Williams-Ellis
List of Selected Jobs
Select Bibliography
Index