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Thursday, 2 April 2015

Harold Turner in Hove


Harold George Turner, 1885 - 1961, started his career in the Brighton Borough Engineer's office in the 1900s. During WW1 he entered the family firm of Box & Turner and in 1920 set up his own architectural practice in Haywards Heath.

By the 1930's his style had crystallised into Sussex farmhouse vernacular, with references to the Arts & Craft showing in windows, chimneys and detailing and in the high quality of the interior fixtures and fittings. 



Such was the popularity of Turner's style that his houses are to be seen all over Haywards Heath and in the wider mid Sussex area including Eastbourne. They are always identifiable by the curly gutter brackets that were his signature.



In Brighton & Hove many of his houses can be seen in the Barrowfield estate in the Tongdean CA, a selection of which are shown below.




It is difficult to know how much of the original interiors have survived. Perhaps one day a proud owner will include their property on the Heritage Open Days programme? 


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10 comments:

  1. Anonymous5 April 2015 at 14:41

    Thanks for posting this - I have often seen these well designed houses and wondered who was responsible for them. Possible candidates for 'listing' perhaps?

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  2. SimeonAdams5 January 2018 at 00:01

    I stumbled across this blog when searching for Harold G Turner online. I have a house near Hove Park built in a fairly unusual style even for this area. It is built in a Tudor revivalist style, but the interior is something of a shrine to the Arts & Craft movement. I always thought it was unusual, but couldn't find anything about the architect or the person that commissioned the build in 1922. Someone sent me property details of a near identical house in Cuckfield which included reference to Harold Turner. My house (and the one in Cuckfield) would appear to be one of his more unusual designs! I'd love to find out more about Mr Turner or the individual that would have commissioned this house. Any advice or suggestions greatly appreciated!
    Simeon Adams

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    Replies
    1. quedula5 January 2018 at 07:28

      Simeon, there was a pamphlet published about him about some years ago. Try the Regency Society or The Keep.

      Delete
    2. SimeonAdams5 January 2018 at 08:58

      Thank you for this. Have made enquiries to both this morning. I wasn’t aware of The Keep previously. This should be a step toward making the case for listing. Thanks again.

      Delete
  3. quedula5 January 2018 at 09:38

    Please keep in touch. I would love to hear how you get on. I strongly feel this period and style of architecture is sadly unappreciated and disappearing fast. My email address is below.

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  4. SimeonAdams5 January 2018 at 11:13

    I share your concern. I'll e-mail you a picture of my house and what has happened to the neighbouring house, originally built in a similar style. Thus investigating getting the place listed! Thanks again!

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  5. Anonymous30 January 2018 at 23:27

    I too stumbled across this whilst searching for Harold Turner. We are in the process of renovating our Harold Turner house in Hove and would love to stay true to the original details. Unfortunately a lot of the original interior has already been removed/amended and I am struggling to find details on the interior look of these houses. Would love to know if anyone has any suggestions on where to find more info for the interiors.

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    Replies
    1. monkeyinshower14 November 2018 at 14:45

      I own a Turner house in Haywards Heath in a road of Turner houses - built in 1928. Interior details of note I'd mention are:
      Wooden picture rails running throughout the house. In mid/dark stain. We have Roof tiles on the walls of our living room above the picture rail (perhaps not the most fetching feature)
      All window sills are clay tiles.(Terracotta colour)
      Windows all have interesting stained glass.
      We even have a drinks cabinet built into the wall! Pretty sure it's original - and was a real "I have to buy this house" moment when I saw it!

      Good luck with the renovation.

      We've made a few changes and do our best to keep the original features. - Great houses and very well built!

      Delete
    2. SimeonAdams10 September 2019 at 08:51

      Over a year later I’ve seen your post. Apologies. Assuming your house is in Hove Park area I’d be happy to show you some of the interior features of our house. You may have since renovated, but if your house was of a similar style and would have once had similar features like brick patterns and plaster mouldings then you could take casts or photos if relevant. My email issimeonbtadams@yahoo.co.uk

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  6. Anonymous28 February 2020 at 18:12

    I'm fortunate to live in a Turner house in Haywards Heath. Our interior is fairly unspoilt. Many neighbours have interesting fireplaces and other details. They are beautiful homes and worthy of listing. Mid Sussex District Council held an exhibition celebrating his work in 2004. There is an interesting development of retired Civil Engineers' homes at Mill Hill Close in Haywards Heath. Turner worked on the project, with Lutyens as an honorary adviser.

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In event of difficulty in adding comment, email:- quedula@gmail.com