Synopsis
Friends House, on Euston Road in London, was “…purpose-built as headquarters for the Society of Friends who had previously met at Devonshire House, an 18th century building in Houndsditch (now demolished). It had become obvious that larger premises were needed and a committee was set up in 1911 to decide whether expansion was possible or if a completely new site should be found. Discussions went on for several years but it was eventually agreed that relocation was necessary. In 1923 an architectural competition was organized and five Quaker architects invited to participate. The instructions were precise. One of the main requirements was a meeting house to seat 1500 people for the Yearly Meeting and a smaller meeting house for 200 – 300.”
Hubert Lidbetter won the competition with his design of brick and Portland stone. The Architectural Review of October 1927 called it, “…eminently Quakerly, or, in other words, (it) unites common sense with just so much of relief from absolute plainness as gives pleasure to the eye.”
