Harry Faulker-Brown; architect of libraries
Hyfler/Rosner
From Times Online
June 5, 2008
Harry Faulker-Brown, architect, dies
Architect whose innovative ideas for libraries influenced
their design throughout the world
Harry Faulkner-Brown was the architect for the Newcastle
Metro and a major influence on the design of libraries
around the world. Born in South Shields he trained as an
architect at King's College in Newcastle, supporting himself
by working as a studio assistant. At the outbreak of the
Second World War he enlisted in the Royal Engineers,
building bridges, pontoons and causeways.
He then trained with the Durham Light Infantry and became a
paratrooper. As a captain commanding a troop of 4th
Parachute Field Squadron Royal Engineers, he took part in
Operation Market Garden, the combined airborne and ground
forces attempt to seize a series of bridges, terminating in
that at Arnhem over the Lower Rhine, to turn the German
flank and enter the Ruhr in September 1944. The attempt to
capture the Arnhem bridge failed owing to the strength of
enemy resistance - two panzer divisions happened to be
refitting in the area.
Faulkner-Brown, commanding his Sappers fighting as
infantrymen under command of the 21st Independent Parachute
Company, defended a sector of the perimeter at Oosterbeek,
into which many survivors of the 1st Airborne Division had
been forced, with tenacity for three days against relentless
attack. He led repeated sorties against surrounding German
positions, one of which destroyed a self-propelled gun. He
was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry and
outstanding leadership. In 1945 his squadron helped in the
disarming of the German Army in Norway.
After the war Faulkner-Brown completed his training in
architecture and moved to Canada, where he lived for 12
years. While there he designed and built his first
libraries - including the National Library of Canada in
Ottawa. In 1962, three years after returning to Newcastle,
he joined colleagues to form the firm of Williamson,
Faulkner-Brown and Partners.
A year later he designed Jesmond Library, which, with its
circular reading-room nestled in the corner of St George's
Crescent, became one of eight postwar buildings in the North
East to be officially listed as being of architectural
interest. The firm subsequently put up the East Stand of St
James's Park in 1972, and they supplied the station design
for the Metro, which was opened in 1981.
His "ten commandments" for the design of libraries
influenced their layout around the world. Libraries, he
said, should be flexible and easy to adapt; compact for easy
movement of readers, staff and books; accessible with an
easily comprehensible plan; extendible with minimum
disruption; varied to give readers choice; organised to make
it easy to find books and browse. In addition they should be
comfortable; constant in environment, and secure and
economic to run.
He took satisfaction in the fact that many major libraries
adopted his principles, citing the Bibliotheca Alexandrina
in Egypt, the national and University Library at Reyjavik
and the Juma Al-Majid Centre in Dubai.
He was appointed OBE in 1982 for his contribution to
architecture and his work in the social services. In 2006 he
published his book A Sapper at Arnhem. He is survived by his
wife and two daughters.
Harry Faulkner-Brown, OBE, MC, architect, was born on
December 4, 1920. He died on February 10, 2008, aged 87