Originally published: May 2022
With such strong opinions in all directions about Poundbury, the only way to make your mind up is to go and see it. So Bea, Aurelia and I went down with our friends Simone and Isabella.
I can see the argument behind some criticisms of Poundbury: sometimes it's a little jarring jumping between architectural styles from one street to the next. And it's little empty, which gives it a slight 'Truman show' quality. But overall I was really impressed, and there's certainly a lot that can be learned from it for future developments - every town planner and architect should be made to visit. Besides, it's not finished yet - as more people move in, and the buildings lose their new 'new house' sheen, it will continue improve, and settle into its surroundings.
I think Prince Charles, Leon Krier, and everyone else involved in it should be incredibly proud what about this brave and necessary project. I hope it has a lasting influence on urban planning in this country.
This is as good a time as any to link to my favourite essay on architecture and design, 'Why is the modern world so ugly?'. This is the best explanation I've read as to why, half way through the 20th Century, we stopped building attractive buildings, and started building ugly ones, to the point where Victorian factories and sewage works are far more handsome than most schools or town halls built in the last generation. The good news is it doesn't have to be this way - it's not really about cost. We can change things, and there are some signs (like Poundbury) that is starting to happen.
Talking of beautiful design, the next day we went to Stourhead, just over the border in Wiltshire. You could draw comparisons to Poundbury, as most of the architecture is classical, with a touch of Tudor, which significantly pre-date its 18th Century construction as architectural styles. However, you don't see people complaining that Stourhead is 'fake' - rather you just have thousands of people visiting every year to enjoy its beauty. I expect Poundbury will be the same sooner or later.
The other pictures are from a walk along the SW Coast Path, which we joined at Fleet. Every bit as lovely as Poundbury or Stourhead.
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