Soane's styles and his stables

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Soane's styles and his stables

Soane’s style: pushing the boundaries

Soane’s interest in Classical architecture was sparked by the award of a three- year travel scholarship to Italy whilst a student at the Royal Academy. On returning to England, his designs began to illustrate the influence of his tour, particularly in the late 1780s and early 1790s when he began to experiment with top and high lighting.  Although his increasing success as an architect brought him recognition it also earned him harsh criticism.

Soane’s first building projects at the Royal Hospital Chelsea – the conversion of Walpole House into an Infirmary, an extension to the existing Clerk of Works’ house and a new stable block – were among those buildings most vilified by his critics. His son George’s vicious and public critique angered and distressed Soane, who later blamed George for his wife’s death. 

‘View of the south and east fronts of the Clerk of Works' House,’ c. 1830s, by C J Richardson.
‘View of the south and east fronts of the Clerk of Works' House,’ c. 1830s, by C J Richardson. © Sir John Soane’s Museum, London

Soane’s Clerk of Works’ house was described by his son as a ‘monster in the art of building’, with the Infirmary ‘not a jot behind it in absurdity’.

Members of the Royal Hospital’s Board of Commissioners were also concerned, finding Soane’s style too modern and divergent from Wren's. As a result, Soane’s later work at the Hospital, such as the Secretary’s Offices, is more in keeping with Wren’s proportion and style, at least externally. Soane maintained that he had never sought to rival his great predecessor, but to complement him. 

'A View of the new buildings forming the principal alterations and additions in the establishment of the Royal Hospital at Chelsea Hospital’, 1818, by Joseph Michael Gandy ARA.
'A View of the new buildings forming the principal alterations and additions in the establishment of the Royal Hospital at Chelsea Hospital’, 1818, by Joseph Michael Gandy ARA. © Sir John Soane’s Museum, London

Soane’s Infirmary dominates the centre of this watercolour with his stables to the left and the Clerk of Works’ house to the right. In the background on the left is the later Secretary’s Office with exterior design aligned with Wren’s earlier buildings.

Stables at the Royal Hospital

Soane’s stables replaced those built by Wren. The demolition of Wren’s stables was deemed necessary to improve the ventilation of the much-needed new Infirmary (completed 1812), designed by Soane. 

View of the original Wren Stables, together with the original Clerk of Works' House’ (on the right), 1815.
'View of the original Wren Stables, together with the original Clerk of Works' House' (on the right), 1815. © Sir John Soane’s Museum, London

Wren’s stables housed 36 horses and had ten coach houses. It was over twice the size of Soane’s yard. 

View of the Back front of the Old Stables, Chelsea Hospital’, 1815.

View of the Back front of the Old Stables, Chelsea Hospital’, 1815.
'View of the Back front of the Old Stables, Chelsea Hospital'. 1815. © Sir John Soane’s Museum

Work in progress: you can see part of Soane’s new stables (on the right), almost abutting Wren’s stable buildings before they were demolished. 

Soane’s original plan for the Stable Yard (built between 1814 and 1817).
Soane’s original plan for the Stable Yard (built between 1814 and 1817).

Soane’s compact stable block provided attic accommodation where stable boys are believed to have slept – perhaps alongside space for hay storage.