Herbert Baker

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The Union Buildings, Pretoria.

Sir Herbert Baker (1862–1946) was the dominant force in South African architecture for two decades, 1892–1912. He designed the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa; and with Edwin Lutyens was instrumental in designing New Delhi.

1 Early life
2 South Africa
- 2.1 Union Buildings
3 India
4 Later life
5 Other work
6 External links

[edit] Early life

View of the rear of Groote Schuur, c1905.

Born in Cobham, Kent, in England, Baker studied architecture in London. He came to South Africa in 1892 and was commissioned in 1893 by Cecil Rhodes to remodel Groote Schuur, Rhodes' house on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town.

[edit] South Africa

Baker quickly became noted for his work, and was commissioned by a number of the "Randlords" (the wealthy mining magnates of Johannesburg) to design houses, particularly in the prestigious suburbs of Parktown and Parktown North. A number of these are still standing. He also designed commercial premises and public buildings.

[edit] Union Buildings

In 1909 Baker was commissioned to build the Union Buildings, South Africa's seat of government.

[edit] India

In 1912 Baker went to India to work with Lutyens on the Secretariat buildings in New Delhi and the bungalows of Members of Parliament.

[edit] Later life

Baker was knighted in 1926 and awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1927. He died in Kent in 1946.

[edit] Other work

[edit] United Kingdom

South Africa House, the South African High Commission building in Trafalgar Square, London
The mansion of Port Lympne (now a zoo) in Kent in south-east England

Winchester College War Cloister

Rhodes House in Oxford.

One of the grandstands at Lord's Cricket Ground in London; Baker presented the Marylebone Cricket Club with a weather vane in the shape of Father Time, which adorned his stand until it was replaced in 1996. The weather vane, now a famous symbol of the home of cricket, was moved to another stand at the ground.
The North Range of Downing College Cambridge. The design was based on that of the original architect of the college, Williams Wilkins, but 'changed the original design just enough to annoy'
Rebuilding of the Bank of England, London, demolishing most of Sir John Soane's orginal building. Described by Pevsner as "the greatest architectural crime, in the City of London, of the twentieth century".
The War Cloister in Winchester College.
Rhodes House in Oxford, headquarters of the Rhodes Scholarships.