16. Fieldend

15 February 2022

When a group of young, well-informed and idealistic architect-designers and developers founded Span in the early 1950s their vision was to 'span the gap between the suburban monotony of the typical speculative development and the architecturally designed, individually built residence that has become (for all but few) financially unattainable’. It set out to create an inspiring environment and provide an alternative way of life that promoted a community spirit. While the British context of this has been well explored in Barbara Simms's Eric Lyons and Span (2006), by selecting one of their developments at Fieldend, Jan Woudstra compares and contrasts some selected international theories and examples regarding landscapes for housing, and the way they foresaw design for community development. This is contrasted with some remarks on present-day housing. 

James Strike will discuss how the landscape of Fieldend influences the way residents of the estate live and interact. As there are 51 houses, there are invariably various opinions as to how the landscape is managed and what is planted.  He will talk of the joys and benefits of living at Fieldend; how the layout and landscape led to everyone knowing each other, how it encourages children to play safely and the many community events of garden parties, music recitals, croquet and carol singing.  James will also speak about the conflicts which arise, such as the size of the trees, children's toys, the need for more colour, and the extent of meadow grass. 

Jan Woudstra is a landscape architect and historian who has taught in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield since 1995. His PhD at UCL explored the modernist landscape design and theory in five different countries, and concentrated particularly on the landscape associated with the home. He has published widely, not just concentrating on landscape modernism.

James Strike is a retired architect having worked in private practice and at English Heritage. He has lived with his wife at Fieldend for twenty years. James has written several books including: Architecture in Conservation: Managing Development at Historic Sites, and the spirit of span housing.