Alfred Brumwell Thomas
Encyclopedia
Sir Alfred Brumwell Thomas (1868–1948) was an architect
born in Virginia Water
, Surrey
who trained at Westminster School of Art
and became an exponent of the Baroque Revival, a style of architecture prevalent for public buildings in the early years of the 20th century.
In 1906, he was made a fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects
, knighted by King Edward VII, and also designed two more public buildings: town halls in Woolwich
in South East London
, and the city of Belfast
. Belfast city hall, faced with portland stone
and with a copper dome and lavish marble interiors, is thought of as the finest example of Edwardian Baroque in the British Isles.
Sir Alfred is also known for his war memorial
s at Dunkirk and Belfast
.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
born in Virginia Water
Virginia Water
Virginia Water is an affluent village, a lake and, originally, a stream, the village being in the Runnymede Borough Council in Surrey and the bodies of water stretching over the borders of Runnymede, Old Windsor and Sunninghill and Ascot, England....
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
who trained at Westminster School of Art
Westminster School of Art
The Westminster School of Art was an art school in Westminster, London. It was located at 18 Tufton Street, Deans Yard, Westminster, and was part of the old Architectural Museum.H. M. Bateman described it in 1903 as...
and became an exponent of the Baroque Revival, a style of architecture prevalent for public buildings in the early years of the 20th century.
In 1906, he was made a fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects
Royal Institute of British Architects
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally.-History:...
, knighted by King Edward VII, and also designed two more public buildings: town halls in Woolwich
Woolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
in South East London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and the city of Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. Belfast city hall, faced with portland stone
Portland stone
Portland stone is a limestone from the Tithonian stage of the Jurassic period quarried on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. The quarries consist of beds of white-grey limestone separated by chert beds. It has been used extensively as a building stone throughout the British Isles, notably in major...
and with a copper dome and lavish marble interiors, is thought of as the finest example of Edwardian Baroque in the British Isles.
Sir Alfred is also known for his war memorial
War memorial
A war memorial is a building, monument, statue or other edifice to celebrate a war or victory, or to commemorate those who died or were injured in war.-Historic usage:...
s at Dunkirk and Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
.
Notable works
- Stockport Town HallStockport town hallStockport Town Hall is a building in Stockport, England, that houses government and administrative functions. It was designed by architect Sir Alfred Brumwell Thomas, and opened by the then Prince and Princess of Wales in July 1908...
, 1905 - Belfast City HallBelfast City HallBelfast City Hall is the civic building of the Belfast City Council. Located in Donegall Square, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, it faces north and effectively divides the commercial and business areas of the city centre.-History:...
, 1906 - Woolwich Town Hall, WoolwichWoolwichWoolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
1906 - Deptford Public Library, 1914, a Carnegie LibraryCarnegie LibraryCarnegie Library, Carnegie Public Library, Carnegie Free Library, Carnegie Free Public Library, Andrew Carnegie Library, Andrew Carnegie Free Library or Carnegie Library Building may refer to any of the following Carnegie libraries:- California :*Carnegie Library , listed on the National Register...
- Addey and Stanhope SchoolAddey and Stanhope SchoolAddey and Stanhope School is a voluntary-aided, co-educational secondary school, located in Lewisham, London, UK. A former grammar school, with origins dating to 1606, Addey and Stanhope became a specialist science and technology school in 2006. The school is also part of the Crossways Federation,...
, 1899.