Overview

If These Walls Could Talk… Exploring the History of Pitzhanger Manor and Turner’s House Through Their Architecture and Custodians

Built as the dream homes of Sir John Soane and J.M.W. Turner, Pitzhanger Manor and Turner’s House have witnessed centuries of change – shaped by their owners, transformed through time, and now standing as cultural and artistic landmarks.

In this 250th year since Turner’s birth, Join Eddie Heathcote (Architecture & Design Critic), Gillian Darley (Author of ‘John Soane: An Accidental Romantic’) and Catherine Parry-Wingfield art historian who initiated the campaign to save and conserve Sandycombe Lodge, Turner’s house as they explore the layered and little known past of these spaces. This talk invites you to rethink how buildings embody voices across generations.

About Eddie Heathcote

Edwin Heathcote is the architecture and design critic of The Financial Times. He is author of about a dozen books including The Meaning of Home and is an architect and designer. Heathcote is also the Keeper of Meaning at The Cosmic House in London as well as the founder and editor of the online design writing archive readingdesign.org. He lives in London.

About Gillian Darley

Gillian Darley is a widely published writer on architecture and landscape, and her biography of John Soane was published by Yale UP in 1999. A regular broadcaster, she took part in the recent In Our Time episode on Soane. 

About Catherine Parry-Wingfield

Catherine Parry-Wingfield is an art historian and initiated the campaign to save and conserve Sandycombe Lodge, Turner’s house near Twickenham, for the nation. She chaired Turner’s House Trust from 2013 to 2019 and was a member of the conservation project team. Her two booklets, J. M. W. Turner, R.A. – the artist and his house at Twickenham and J. M. W. Turner and ‘the Matchless Vale of Thames’, are on sale at Turner’s House.