Clough Williams-Ellis
Architect of Portmeirion and environmental campaigner.
- Born:
-
28
MAY
1885
- Place of Birth:
- Gayton, Northamptonshire
- Trivia:
- Portmeirion was used as the set for the cult TV show The Prisoner in the 1960s. Thanks to Ruth Thomas from Rhosneigr for reminding us that Portmeirion was also the location for the tearful last episode of popular comedy drama Cold Feet - may Rachel rest in peace.
- Biography:
-
Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis was one of the most innovative architects and environmental campaigners of the last century.
He was born in England, but moved to Glasfryn, Pwllheli, when he was four years old. He went to Trinity College, Cambridge, but had little formal training in architecture, choosing to rely upon his own natural flair and understanding of the art. During World War I he served as an officer in the Welsh Guards and won the Military Cross for his bravery. In 1915 he married Amabel Strachey, daughter of St Loe Strachey, editor and owner of the Spectator magazine. Clough Williams-Ellis was a great supporter of environmentally friendly architecture, putting forward the idea of green belt areas within and between the city and rural districts. Yet he had always harboured an architectural dream. He believed "that one could develop even a very beautiful site without defiling it, and given sufficient loving care one could even improve on what God had provided." He searched as far afield as New Zealand and other remote islands on which to build his dream village, but settled on a five mile peninsula on his own doorstep in Pen Llyn. The beautiful and unique village of Portmeirion was built from 1926-1939, and 1954-1972. The colourful cottages which surround Castell Deudraeth resemble an Italian village beside the sea. Sir Clough was knighted in 1971 for services to architecture and the environment. - Read the history of how Clough Williams-Ellis' dream became a reality at Portmeirion.
your comments
Dr Margaret Park
I'm seeking information on Clough Williams-Ellis's journey to Australia in Oct-Nov 1947. I'm researching this for a town planning history publication. He visited a few cities and gave talks at a variety of institutions related to planning and architecture. He spoke of England's 'new towns' in the main, but also about post-war reconstruction. I would like to discover more about his (and his wife's) visit to Australia and also hoping to find if he left any papers in a university or national institution. Any suggestions are most appreciated. I'm a historian working in Canberra, ACT.
Fri May 15 09:05:31 2009
Stephanie Marsh - Lancashire
I totally agree Sir Clough could develop even a very beautiful site without defiling it. However, few others could be brave in vision and achieve this.
Wed Jun 16 19:33:28 2004
Rita Poxon, Gayton
Clough Ellis designed some recently listed gates in his birthplace village of Gayton.
Fri Jul 25 13:33:34 2003
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