Lavenham Suffolk: The Buildings.
The Crooked House, High Street, Lavenham.
Originating in the C15th and so delightful I could eat it. Love the jaunty angles - as if the building is trying to 'right' itself - and, of course, it is: timber framing is sacrificial to ground movement beneath.
De Vere House, Water Street, Lavenham.
That won't do - will take out the post for you.. for a better view.
Another C15th delight with oriel windows and herringbone brick nogging.
I do prefer a brick nogg to an eggnog.
Environmental psychologist Lily Bernheimer says that older buildings appeal to use because of their fractal nature. The use of materials and patterns that reflect natural forms.
One element of that is their nested complexity. From one pattern formed in the grand view of a building:
Then drilling down to the pattern and decoration on the smallest scale:
The Old Wool Hall (The Swan), Water Street, Lavenham.
If I were able to spend some time away from the van - I'd love to stay here. Originating in the C15th. It was originally the hall of Our Lady's Guild and then converted to a Wool Hall in the C17th.
If ever there was cause for celebration - it's the knowledge that such a petit fenetre exists within a large window. The understanding that such things matter, and are worth taking the time over:
And then after the celebration, we should permit ourselves a moment of ecstasy at the survival of this little fella...
Lavenham Guildhall, Market Lane, Lavenham.
Once the hall of the Guild of Corpus Christi, founded in 1529. It has a delightful two storey gabled porch and is open to the public. This is perhaps the most decorated building in the village.
Little Hall, Barn Street, Lavenham.
A C15th former Wool Hall on Market Place with tart colour and delightful details. Open to the public.
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✨ Members can immerse themselves in a wonderful aerial VR of Lavenham with St. Peter and St. Paul's church by clicking the box below (viewable on any device):
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✨ Members can also see a glorious aerial video that spirals around the church with extensive views of the surrounding landscape - helps put the church and village in context.
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And finally, one of the most underestimated and unseen 'buildings' in Lavenham.
The Walls
Lavenham has, perhaps, the most varied wallscape in the country. Caught in the right light they sing with pattern and texture. Just looking at this wall on Barn Street in Lavenham lowers my heart rate. Can't quite explain why the combination of texture, colour, and materials seems to impact the senses so much.
The walls tie the buildings together and are sentinels to ancient walkways and rights of way.
They incorporate and embellish the buildings around them.
And replicate the pattern of timber on the surrounding buildings.
They are narrataives in brick, flint and stone and hold some quirky archaeology.
Beyond the wall is a biota of living things...
..and both physical and spiritual. Notice the bottle inserted into the wall at the top? Looks like a modern intervention but has historical precedents.
Readers of the Genius Loci Digest
What stays with readers
That aura, those echoes - the muted light is transporting. What a space to feel rooted in history. I'd love to make that journey myself; you've stirred the opera lover and architectural dreamer in me.
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