Ernest Gladstone Allen was a famous architect and town planner, becoming the Town Planning Institute (TPI) President in 1936 - 1937. Ernest Allen was elected a Fellow of the RIBA proposed by J M Andrew, E L Lutyens, W C Green He is the architect of ‘Normancroft’ , the locally listed grand 1920 detached house at 3-5 Garrad’s Road, opposite Tooting Bec Common, now used as a school, Burlington House.
John Francis Bentley was responsible with Walter Crane, John Haywood and Lawrence Lee for some fine stained glass at Christ Church in Streatham. He studied under Henry Clutton before branching out on his own in 1868. The great opportunity of Bentley's career came in 1894, when he was commissioned to design a new Roman Catholic cathedral in Westminster. After deciding on a Byzantine Revival design, Bentley travelled to Italy to study some of the great early Byzantine-influenced cathedrals, such as St Mark's Basilica in Venice.
Edith Gillian Cooke The first woman Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (Edith) Gillian Harrison (née Cooke) (1898–1974), was born at St Hilaire, Rydal Road, Streatham, on 10 January 1898, the oldest child of Henry Cooke (1862–1937), a solicitor, and his wife Rose Margaret, née Bristow (1871–1933). She had a brother, George, and a sister, Rosemary (1900–1985). The household was a prosperous one, and by 1911 the family had moved to a substantial house in Argyll Road, Kensington, with three servants and a governess. After Roedean School, she trained at the Architectural Association School of Architecture from 1917-1922, where she was one of the first four female students. In 1931 Harrison became the first woman Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects. In 1923, she married Henry St John Harrison, also an architect. Together they formed a joint practice called Cooke & Harrison.
Sir Edward Guy Dawber, RA (King's Lynn, 3 August 1861 – London, 24 April 1938) was an architect working in the late Arts and Crafts style, whose work is particularly associated with the Cotswolds. He trained in the practice of Sir Ernest George (Streatham resident) and Harold Peto. He was the architect of the magnificent houses in Streatham Common North which appeared in the Building news in 1893.
Trevor Dannatt. Former president and outstanding C20 architect Trevor Dannatt died 2021, at the age of 101. Trevor worked with Fry and Drew and the LCC and designed the 1960s additions to Rosa Bassett School, Streatham, now Graveney School in the Furzedown area. He was involved with the Royal Festival Hall where he detailed the staircases and glazed screens of the foyers, along with some of the external windows and last-minute furnishings.
Langton Dennis, born at "Hillside" Leigham Crt Road. Best known for his domestic houses in the Arts and Crafts style in Crowborough, Sussex. He designed Windlesham in Crowborough in1908 for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He was articled to Streatham's Sir Ernest George and Harold Peto from 1882 to 1886.
Richard William Drew was born at Westminster about 1834, the youngest son of George Drew (1789-1862), solicitor of Bermondsey, and his wife, Mary, nee Harvey. (1791-1864). Over time George and his brother, Beriah Drew, built up considerable estates, particularly in Streatham, some of which they developed. Educated by Mr G. H. Hodson of Berkshire before being admitted a Pensioner at Trinity College Cambridge. Richard is recorded as having been a pupil of the architect Henry Woodyear. Drew set himself up as an architect and surveyor at 9 Pall Mall in 1860, the first recorded date for him as an architect. His first commissions were additions and repairs to two villas close to the family home of Leigham Lodge, Streatham, in 1860. These were followed up with designs for new build houses at Streatham through 1861-62. He died on 22 May 1903 having fallen into the River Thames and drowned (Architects of Greater Manchester).
G. Topham Forrest Architect of Aspen House Open Air School on the corner of Cothestone and Christchurch Roads, Streatham. The design included class sheds, a dining shed and a resting shed.
Arthur J Gale, 34 Streatham Hill formerly 15 Paragon now part of Staplefield Close. With N.T. Farthing of Smith Son & Gale built the Clacton Grand hotel for Henry Grant.
Sir Ernest George, "Redroofs", Ryecroft Rd, Streatham Common. Architect, landscape and architectural watercolour painter, and etcher. President of the Royal Institute of British Architects from 1908 to 1910. Ernest George's London office was nicknamed "The Eton of architects", and the 79 pupils included Herbert Baker, Guy Dawber, John Bradshaw Gass, Edwin Lutyens and Ethel Charles. The firm designed several fine country houses as well as Southwark Bridge and the Royal Academy of Music. George was also involved in designs in Streatham and SW London- Hambly mansions, Coffee Tavern at Streatham Common, the Church Hall in Guildersfield Road and Henry Tate's mausoleum at West Norwood Cemetery.
Sir Frederick Gibberd. Architect, town planner and landscape designer. His first commission for Pullman Court in Streatham Hill at the age of 23. Designed in International Modern style .Frederick Gibberd was consultant architect-planner for the Harlow new town development. He is particularly known for Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.
Percy Richard Morley Horder. Architect. Designed a house in Mount Ephraim Lane opposite Woodfield Lodge. Involved in an extensive portfolio of projects including numerous churches and University and College buildings including the Darbishire Quad at Sommerville Oxford and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in Keppel Street, Bloomsbury. Through his friendship with Sir Jesse Boot he obtained the commission to design the buildings at University College, Nottingham. He also designed a number of Boots shops in Bristol, Eastbourne, Lincoln, Windsort and Regent Street.
Owen Jones. A London-born architect and designer of Welsh descent, he is celebrated as an expert on colour and ornament. One of the earliest examples of Jones's decoration as applied to architecture (and one of the few examples to exist today, albeit restored) was his work on Christ Church in Streatham, built in 1841 by James Wild, who became Jones's brother-in-law Jones was employed as one of the Superintendents of Works for the Great Exhibition of 1851. He was responsible for not only the decoration of Joseph Paxton's gigantic cast iron and glass palace, but also for the arrangement of the exhibits within.
Kate Macintosh. The architect behind 269 Leigham Court Road. The rare 1960s sheltered housing was listed after being recommended by Historic England as a ‘particularly well-considered’ example of ‘cradle to grave’ care. Designed between 1968 and 1973 the 44-flat complex is composed of staggered blocks arranged either side of a central walkway. The design and construction was an early experiment in modular construction and was one of a number of housing and welfare buildings designed by Lambeth during that time.
John Buanarotti Papworth. Prolific architect, artist and a founder member of the Royal Institute of British Architects. Called in to design a large suburban villa, Leigham Court in Streatham in 1822. This was originally planned to be a country version of Boodles Club, then the gentleman’s club but John Fuller who owned the club decided to live there himself. Evidently it was not grand enough and within a decade Fuller had Papworth build a second, and more magnificent, mansion alongside the original building which became the service wing. Park Hill was designed and built between 1830 – 1835 for William Leaf, a banker and silk merchant from Streatham. Henry Tate bought the property in 1874.
Harold Ainsworth Peto. In 1876 Peto entered into a partnership with Streatham resident Ernest George an established architect and artist. Together they designed a number of buildings in Streatham including Ernest George's "Redroofs" overlooking Streatham Common and Hambly Mansions.
Cecil M Quilter. His father John Solomon Quilter FRIBA lived his later life in Christchurch Rd and was District Surveyor for East Streatham and Tulse Hill from 1880. He trained his son Cecil M Quilter (b 1879) in the architecture profession and, solely or together, they were responsible for a number of local buildings including Endsleigh Mansions, and Leigham Avenue. Cecil M Quilter, like his father, was also a local resident and architect living at 32 Lyndhurst Ave 1905-6, then at 51 Barcombe Ave until 1912. The Thrale Almshouses (1832-1930) next to the police station in 1832 which were built by the three remaining daughters of Henry Thrale ie Hester Maria Thrale, Susannah Arabella Thrale and Cecilia Margaretta Thrale. The Quilters were also responsible for many designs of the 24 Littlewood stores. Cecil Molyneux Quilter continued the practice of JS Quilter and son on his father's death and specialised in commercial architecture, notably public houses.
Anthony Salvin. Architect known for restored castles and country houses, and built a number of new houses and churches including Holy Trinity in Upper Tooting in the Historic Parish of Streatham.
Sir George Gilbert Scott. The architect for Immanuel and St Andrew CE School in Streatham which was opened in 1861. Scott was a Gothic Revival architect, chiefly associated with the design, building and renovation of churches and cathedrals, although he started his career as a leading designer of workhouses. Over 800 buildings were designed or altered by him. Scott was the architect of many notable buildings, including the Midland Grand Hotel at St Pancras Station, the Albert Memorial, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, all in London, St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow, the main building of the University of Glasgow, St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh and King's College Chapel.
Richard Norman Shaw. Architect of 'Compton", 5 Pendennis Road. Known for his country houses and for commercial buildings. He is considered to be among the greatest of British architects. 'Compton' was owned from 1947-63 by Basil Greenfield, who was the owner of the New Croydon Rubber Company, 36 Mitcham Lane. The house was damaged in World War II and subsequently remodelled. Shaw is known for the design, with John Dixon Butler, of Scotland Yard and the newly refurbished buildings overlooking the Thames are named Norman Shaw Buildings.
Sidney R J Smith. Architect, best known for the work he undertook in the 1880s and 1890s for the philanthropist and Streatham-resident Henry Tate including the original Tate Gallery at Millbank. Locally Smith designed a number of Libraries in Lambeth including the Tate Library in Streatham, St Thomas in Telford Park and Tate's Mausoleum in West Norwood Cemetery.
William George Robert Sprague. Theatre Architect. Started career as an articled clerk for Frank Matcham and then Walter Emden. He was the architect with W H Barton for the Streatham Hill Theatre built in 1929; it was the last theatre designed by Sprague, but possibly his largest and one of the best-equipped in London, outside of the West End. Became a bingo hall in 1962. It is Grade 2 listed. The Bingo closed in 2017 and bought by the Ruach Church in 2022. (Arthur Lloyd)
Leonard Aloysius Scott Stokes An architect and artist. Most of his designs were for Roman Catholic buildings, including churches, convents and schools. In 1919 he was awarded the Royal Gold Medal of the Royal Institute of British Architects, having served as their president from 1910 to 1912. Sir Albert Edward Richardson, who later became president of the Royal Society, trained in his offices. He designed and lived in "Yew Tree Lodge" In West Drive in 1898.
Charles Francis Annesley Voysey. Architect and furniture and textile designer. His work was Arts and Crafts style and he made important contribution to the Modern Style (British Art Nouveau style). He was born in Hessle, near Hull. He is recorded living at "Staurmoor" 45 Tierney Road and he briefly attended Dulwich College. Voysey came into contact with Sir Richard Essex through his wallpaper company and was commissioned to design a house for him which was built 8 North Drive, Streatham, overlooking Tooting Bec Common which is called "Dixcot" (Richard's Cottage). The house is a private residence and has 11 bedrooms and 5 reception rooms
Thomas Wallis, an Arts and Crafts Architect responsible mainly for the design of Industrial buildings such as the Hoover building in Perivale. He was born in Norwood and lived at "Doric" 3 Ullathorne Road and 84 Woodbourne Ave. It was while he lived in Woodbourne Ave that he was at his most prolific.
Frederick Wheeler, architect lived in Rydal Road and responsible for the design of many buildings in Streatham. He was also responsible for the St Paul's Studios on the Talgarth Road.
James William Wild, architect of Christchurch, Streatham. He designed a church of remarkable originality, often described as being in a Byzantine manner but in fact richly eclectic, combining Early Christian, Italian Romanesque, Islamic, and moorish elements. He was assisted in the internal decoration of the church by Owen Jones, who later became his brother-in-law (by marrying Wild's sister Isabella in 1842. Wild died at the Sir John Soane Museum where he was Curator. (Helen Dorey).
John Lewis Woolf. Architect, artist and stockbroker. Born in Streatham and baptised at St Leonard's Church. He had a longtime friendship with fellow architect Charles Barry, who was inspired to become an architect by Wolfe. Articled in 1813 to the architect Joseph Gwilt and in 1818 he exhibited at the Royal Academy a design for a national museum. In Rome, in February 1820, Wolfe embarked on his friendship with Charles Barry. After commencing architectural practice, he entered the competition for new buildings at King's College, Cambridge, with an unsuccessful Italian design. Soon, however, a less immediately congenial profession claimed him when he joined his brother as a stock and sharebroker. Trading as Wolfe Brothers from 23 Change Alley, Cornhill, they built up a successful business, which continued until 1848. Wolfe was a member of the stock exchange until 1878. (David G. Blissett).
