Walter Sykes George
Encyclopedia
Walter Sykes George was an English architect active in India
during the first half of the 20th century, most known for being partt of the team of architects who designed New Delhi
, the new capital of India, from 1911-1931.
and Manchester
, where he worked in the family's architectural practice. Later, he studied under A. Beresford Pite and W. R. Lethaby at the Royal College of Art
, London
, and won the Soane Scholarship in 1906.
and joined several excavations, a result of which was his 1913 monograph, The Church of St Eirene at Constantinople.
He then joined Sir Edwin Lutyens
and Sir Herbert Baker
, in helping design the capital complex of New Delhi
which was chosen by the British Government in 1912 to be the new capital of India. The project was completed in 1929 and officially inaugurated in 1931. Of the many talented British architects associated with the building of the new capital enclave, only Walter George elected to stay on and establish a private practice in Delhi
. In the 1930s he took on the job designing of the new campus of St. Stephen's College, Delhi
, a project that was completed in 1941.He is also credited with having created the original design for Miranda House
, a widely renowned college affiliated to Delhi University, located in New Delhi.
At this time there were few architects active in Delhi and the two existing schools for training architects in India were in Bombay and Baroda. The outbreak of World War II
generated a sudden demand for engineer-architects by the Allied forces; consequently, Walter George and his colleagues helped establish the first training facility for architects in North India. The Department of Architecture came into existence as part of the Delhi Polytechnic at Kashmiri Gate
in 1942. In 1932, he designed the first theatre of Connaught Place, New Delhi
, "Regal" built by Sir Sobha Singh, one of main building contractors to New Delhi, and with whom he did several projects in the coming years , like New Delhi's first apartment complex, "Sujan Singh Park", built in 1945, near Khan Market
, name after Shobha Singh's father. also in the same year he built the near by "Ambassador Hotel".
Walter Sykes George died in Delhi on 7 January 1962.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
during the first half of the 20th century, most known for being partt of the team of architects who designed New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
, the new capital of India, from 1911-1931.
Early life and education
George's family were Quakers and architects. He was raised in East AngliaEast Anglia
East Anglia is a traditional name for a region of eastern England, named after an ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom, the Kingdom of the East Angles. The Angles took their name from their homeland Angeln, in northern Germany. East Anglia initially consisted of Norfolk and Suffolk, but upon the marriage of...
and Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, where he worked in the family's architectural practice. Later, he studied under A. Beresford Pite and W. R. Lethaby at the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
, 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 won the Soane Scholarship in 1906.
Career
From 1906 to 1911 he worked with the British School at AthensBritish School at Athens
The British School at Athens is one of the 17 Foreign Archaeological Institutes in Athens, Greece.-General information:The School was founded in 1886 as the fourth such institution in Greece...
and joined several excavations, a result of which was his 1913 monograph, The Church of St Eirene at Constantinople.
He then joined Sir Edwin Lutyens
Edwin Lutyens
Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, OM, KCIE, PRA, FRIBA was a British architect who is known for imaginatively adapting traditional architectural styles to the requirements of his era...
and Sir Herbert Baker
Herbert Baker
Sir Herbert Baker was a British architect.Baker was the dominant force in South African architecture for two decades, 1892–1912....
, in helping design the capital complex of New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
which was chosen by the British Government in 1912 to be the new capital of India. The project was completed in 1929 and officially inaugurated in 1931. Of the many talented British architects associated with the building of the new capital enclave, only Walter George elected to stay on and establish a private practice in Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
. In the 1930s he took on the job designing of the new campus of St. Stephen's College, Delhi
St. Stephen's College, Delhi
St. Stephen's College is a constituent college of the University of Delhi located in Delhi, India. The college admits both undergraduates and post-graduates, and awards degrees under the purview of the University. Famous for its rich history and many traditions, St...
, a project that was completed in 1941.He is also credited with having created the original design for Miranda House
Miranda House
Miranda House , is a highly renowned and distinguished constituent college for women at the University of Delhi in India. It is widely regarded as a Premier Women's Institution of Delhi University offering degrees in the Sciences and Liberal Arts . Miranda House has demonstrated academic...
, a widely renowned college affiliated to Delhi University, located in New Delhi.
At this time there were few architects active in Delhi and the two existing schools for training architects in India were in Bombay and Baroda. The outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
generated a sudden demand for engineer-architects by the Allied forces; consequently, Walter George and his colleagues helped establish the first training facility for architects in North India. The Department of Architecture came into existence as part of the Delhi Polytechnic at Kashmiri Gate
Kashmiri Gate
The Kashmiri Gate is one of the thirteen gates of Walled City of Lahore in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.It is so named because it faces the direction of Kashmir. Inside there is a shopping area and market that is called "Kashmiri Bazaar" and a girls' college. This college, built upon an old haveli...
in 1942. In 1932, he designed the first theatre of Connaught Place, New Delhi
Connaught Place, New Delhi
Connaught Place Connaught Place Connaught Place (Hindi: कनॉट प्लेस, (officially Rajiv Chowk) is one of the largest financial, commercial and business centers in Delhi. It is often abbreviated as CP and houses the headquarters of several Indian firms. Its surroundings occupy a place of pride...
, "Regal" built by Sir Sobha Singh, one of main building contractors to New Delhi, and with whom he did several projects in the coming years , like New Delhi's first apartment complex, "Sujan Singh Park", built in 1945, near Khan Market
Khan Market
Khan Market , named in honour of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan , it is the costliest market strip in New Delhi. It has been ranked as the costliest retail location in India...
, name after Shobha Singh's father. also in the same year he built the near by "Ambassador Hotel".
Walter Sykes George died in Delhi on 7 January 1962.