Designing energy use in a rural setting: a case study of Philip Webb at Standen

Abstract

Standen, built between 1891-4, was intended as the weekend retreat of the newly monied couple James and Margaret Beale. It is known as the first country house to have had electric lighting fully integrated into its interior design plans. Such radical technological innovations in energy supply and use, detailed in the extant building specification, is particularly in need of explanation as Standen was designed by the Arts and Crafts architect, Philip Webb, widely known for his 'natural' designs and anti-modern aesthetic. Working closely with his clients, Webb designed not only the electrical system, but specified a range of sustainable processes for energy supply. As we will see, Standen not only incorporated the newest technologies, but its remote rural location meant that the house itself remained necessarily self-sufficient; both new and old sources of energy were therefore tied in some significant ways to both local environments and age-old patterns of energy use. This article will offer a close reading of the building specifications, and Webb's associated letters and diaries, to explore the energy transformations and consumption choices built into Standen, providing a detailed look at the dynamic intersection of continuity and change embodied in the early stages of energy modernization in one influential rural home.