by Shelly Dival, CF, Enabling Spaces

Drawing inspiration from women in design

By Shelly Dival, CF, Autism Design Specialist, Enabling Spaces, Toodyay, WA enablingspaces.com.au

Weston Park House, Main Entrance. Weston Park is a country house in Weston-under-Lizard, Staffordshire, England.

In 1651, a young, English, aristocratic lady of 19 years married a Baronet. As was common in that period, she and her husband honeymooned on the continent. Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham, née Mytton, was interested in Architecture from a young age. As her husband, Sir Thomas Wilbraham, was it seems, quite proud of his wife’s intellect, their honeymoon turned into an architectural tour of Europe. This allowed Elizabeth to study in the Netherlands with Pieter Post, the cofounder of the Dutch Baroque style, and to study the buildings of Palladio in Italy. Three and a half centuries later, her place in history is being recognised.

I was asked to say a few words at Design Matters National’s ‘Women in Design’ morning tea in Perth a few months ago, commemorating International Women’s Day. I thought to draw inspiration from notable women Architects from history and from a quick google, I came across Lady Elizabeth. The more I read, the more I found her fascinating!

During our morning tea, we discussed issues facing us (and our male counterparts), such as registration for the Building Design profession. I quietly reflected on the differences in the struggles for women in design at different times in history. What did the Lady Elizabeths of earlier centuries need to do to practice what they undoubtedly loved doing? How would we feel if we couldn’t openly practice, as we do now?

A strong case has been put forward by American scholar and architectural historian John Millar to show Lady Wilbraham has designed some well-known and famous buildings in England – something which is disputed by other historians, as many of these buildings have been credited to Sir Christopher Wren. There is the claim that more than 400 buildings (some say 800+) have

been attributed to Lady Wilbraham; buildings that show a strong Italian and Dutch influence.

As women in her day were barred from practicing architecture, Elizabeth was no doubt careful not to leave evidence of her work, and it is claimed that, as a leading member of the aristocracy, she managed to collude with some leading architects of the time to supervise construction, and claim authorship of her designs.

Some 28 drawings, which have survived with her handwriting, show details such as the first sash windows used in England and a regular use of pilasters [a rectangular column, especially one projecting from a wall] which, until then, were not very common in England. Lady Elizabeth designed several houses for family members, and details in these designs are also seen in other designs. Wotton House is one such design and has details that are widely acknowledged to be closely linked to Buckingham House, which forms the core of Buckingham Palace.

While Lady Elizabeth and Christopher Wren were the same age, Millar states that evidence shows her as Wren’s principal tutor. Millar also claims that as Wren did not formally study Architecture until his 30s he could not have designed some of the buildings he was credited for, including St. James’s Church. Some of the details attributed in Wilbraham’s designs do not show in other buildings designed by Wren.

The layout of Mayfair, St. James and many of its buildings have also been put forward as the work of Lady Wilbraham, and claims she worked closely with the owner of the land, Lady Grosvenor, and two other female influencers of the time. It is claimed that she worked closely with several reigning monarchs during this time of designing Mayfair.

While I am still tracking down a copy of John Millar’s book “First Woman Architect”, I believe I’ve become a champion of Lady Elizabeth and will continue the research into this fascinating lady. Imagine the uproar of the establishment to have Millar’s and others’ claims about Lady Elizabeth proven beyond doubt! How many other women across the world and in centuries past have practiced in secret? I’m not sure (those who know me will agree) I would have been so silent and yet for everything we fight for in recognition for our profession today, I think Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham deserves our, both ladies and gents, utmost respect for both her intellect, talent and what she contributed to the world of architecture.