An architect’s practice

Some of the most recognisable buildings in the Island were designed by the architect Roy Blampied. The Occupation and his early death in 1946 have both contributed to a lack of modern recognition of his work

Remember the ‘Pav’, the West Park Pavilion? It was designed by Roy Blampied. Many of the Island’s most familiar buildings were designed by him and his practice, as well as many private homes.

Nowadays, although memory of his life and work have faded, it could be said of Blampied, as in Wren’s epitaph in St Paul’s: ‘If you would seek my monument, look around you.’

Unfortunately we cannot now look at the West Park Pavilion, since it was demolished in 1999 and replaced by a block of flats. In its heyday in the 1950s it was a popular dancehall - later a discothèque - and one of the most familiar buildings and popular entertainment venues in Jersey. It was simply an integral part of Island life and the town landscape.

Roy Blampied’s son, Jurat Peter Blampied, wrote in a booklet about his father: ‘A biographical error attributed the design of the West Park Pavilion to Arthur Grayson and the Internet repeats this error.’ ‘Once made, the error has gathered momentum and I owe it to my father’s memory to establish that West Park Pavilion was designed by my father.’

Some other familiar landmarks designed by Roy Blampied and his practice:

De Gruchy’s New Street entrance

Opened in 1925, when Roy was aged 30.

The plaudits gained by him contributed to his success as an architect, with many commissions ensuing as a result.

The extension to the

States building

The ‘Western Façade’, designed in 1931 by Roy Blampied's practice.

Trinity Parish Hall

Opened in 1936.

The Jersey Electricity Company’s Power Station

The original 1930s design was retained by JE when the building was refurbished in 2001. He also designed the JEC showroom in Broad Street, now occupied by a supermarket.

The Pomme d'Or Hotel

Original frontage, designed in 1938 for the hotel's centenary. The iconic pictures of Liberation Day in1945 and the hosting of the

Union Flag show this frontage.

Glanville

Designed by Roy Blampied for his uncle, Jurat Charles Stephen Renouf, who died shortly before the Second World War. His widow, Roy Blampied's aunt, lived there for many years after his death. It is now a residential home, with an attractive garden hidden behind it.

Roy Blampied was born in 1894 and died in 1946 when he was only 52 years old. A talented architect, he was only in practice for close on 20 years at 33 Halkett Place. The last building that he designed in Jersey was shortly before the Island was occupied; he died shortly after his return to Jersey after the war. His early death and the interruption to his work caused by the Occupation help to explain why his work has not achieved more recognition.

He went to the Architectural Association School in Tufton Street, London, in 1912. He joined the army in 1914, but returned to the school in 1919 when he was demobilised, completing his studies in 1920, when he became a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Nigel Biggar, who was also a member of RIBA, worked for Roy before the Second World War. He served with the Royal Engineers during the war and when the time came for him to be demobilised, he wrote to Roy to inquire about returning to Jersey. This was fortunate, because Nigel was able to take over the practice in the course of time. Nigel was joined by Michael Blampied (Roy’s son and Peter’s brother.)

Michael also qualified as an architect, when it became known as Blampied and Biggar. When Michael left Jersey to practice in London, the firm became Nigel Biggar and Partners, which it is still called today.

Photo credit: Andy Le Gresley and Seymour Group archive.

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