How can we recreate the textures of OLD cities in a way that does not imitate the past? An essay from Nicholas Ray who was my director of studies from 1978-1985 about his relationship with Ralph Esrkine, a champion of Humane Architecture

A Christmas Card from Ralph Erskine

We are pleased to announce that a new statue of the Irish born educator and champion of Indian freedom, Sister Nivedita, has been installed in Lake Road, Wimbledon. Sister Nivedita opened schools in Wimbledon before going to Bengal where she continued her pioneering work in women’s education and wrote in English about Indian culture. She is now revered in India, and a sculpture celebrating her life was offered to be erected in Wimbledon. After several years finding a suitable site and gaining the necessary permissions, the statue, which was made in Bengal, arrived in England in May 2023 and was installed at the corner of Lake Road and Leopold Road just outside Ricards Lodge Girls High School. We asked for the statue to be made slightly larger than life size – statues tend to look small unless they are slightly enlarged – and to be set on an octagonal plinth so that she is in an appropriate relationship to pedestrians as they pass by. As Anthony Gormley has remarked, the statue itself has no life, it comes to life with our reaction to it. We are delighted to have facilitated this new and exciting adornment to the public realm, celebrating a strong and independent woman who was prepared to devote her life for just and enduring causes. She faces slightly south of east, towards Bengal.

9 Carmelite street wrapped in white and under scaffolding for a major refurbishment by MBA.

The Grade II listed building was built in 1893 as the headquarters of the board of Conservators of the River Thames.

The proposed work will transform the building into an attractive 21st century office and secure a sustainable use for the building whilst preserving its historic significance.

This is a detail of the staircase of a new house in Wimbledon.

Landscape will be completed in Spring 2023 and we will post some pics after that.

Detail of stair at new house in Wimbledon

An unexpected de-light on a summer morning in the office.

A much-loved wall chart of RAL and BS colours makes you want to pick your favourite.

Colourists use a deeper hue for colour in shade.

A much loved colour chart seen in a different light