- Randall Wells
Albert Randall Wells (1877-1942) was an English architect who worked principally in the Arts and Crafts style.
He was the son of an architect, Arthur Wells of
Hastings . [ [http://www.codexgeo.co.uk/dsa/architect_full.php?id=M001992 DSA biography] ] After a practical training in joinery and founding as well as architecture, Randall Wells was discovered byWilliam Lethaby and acted as his resident clerk of works at All Saints,Brockhampton-by-Ross ,Herefordshire (1901-2). His own Church of St Edward the Confessor,Kempley , Gloucestershire, (1903-4), is in a similar style to Lethaby. St Edward's, described byBetjeman as "a mini-cathedral of the Arts and Crafts movement", was built from local materials by local labour under his direction.He worked with ES Prior at Voewood (later Home Place), Kelling, near Holt, Norfolk (1903–4), and St Andrew’s, Roker, Sunderland (1905–7). Both buildings employed concrete.
He ran his own practice as well as working for other architects. His Church of St Wilfrid,
Halton, Leeds (1937-39) is also influenced by modernism. Large expanses of clear glass within tall, stepped lancet windows allow light to flood high vaults and cast shadows on the plastered interior. Wells also furnished much of this interior.In 1905 his design for a cottage for
Letchworth Garden City , Hertfordshire won a £100 prize. [ [http://www.tomorrowsgardencity.com/system/files/Wilbury_Road.pdf The £150 Cottage] ]References
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