William Alexander Harvey - The Model Village and its Cottages: Bournville

Preface

In February, 1904, I was invited to read a paper on the subject of Cottage Homes before the London Architectural Association, when I took as the basis of my remarks the work executed from my designs at the Bournville Village. In adapting myself to the limits of such a paper, I found that, while much which was treated suffered considerably through inevitable compression, a great deal that I wished also to include had to be omitted. This suggests to me the idea, now realised in book form, of treating the subject more comprehensively, giving plans and views of actual examples of cottages, with measurements and costs, and amplifying and adding to my former noted and observations.

Even with larger scope of a book, it is still felt that much has been left undone and unsaid, and it is frankly admitted that one man dealing with his own work can scarcely pretend to do full justice to the broad subject under notice; nevertheless, it is hoped that the plans and views of Bournville cottages, accompanied by descriptions and notes, may at least prove of value as suggestions for those interested in a matter now claiming very wide attention - that of the building of cottages which may fitly be called homes.

I am indebted to the Bournville Village Trust for their courtesy in allowing me to publish plans and particulars of the Estate cottages dealt with in these pages. I must also acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. T. B. Rogers for his valuable assistance in the production of the book.

William Alexander Harvey

(Bournville and Weoley Castle, Hampson Martin, 1905)

Plate XXXIX

Single Cottage

 

William Harvey has been a main influence to me as he is the person who made George Cadburys utopia a reality. The idea of the perfect lifestyle is an interesting concept and one that each person would have a different idea of, this is what attracts me most about utopia. However, this of course is the reason why there could never be a real utopia as no ones would be the same, this does not mean though that attempts can not be made even if they are only a halfway step to utopia.