To understand how King Charles III. who dreamed up the architecture of his United Kingdom, one must go to Poundbury in the south-west of England and stroll the streets of that ‘model’ village which he envisioned from every angle thirty years ago.
• Also read: Lack of Hunchback for the Coronation
Known for his environmental stance, King Charles is also known for his long-running crusade against modern architecture.
In the early 1990’s he decided to turn his ideas into reality by helping to build Poundbury, a ‘model’ housing development on his Dorset land, now home to around 3,500 people.
There is almost no concrete here, the big houses and city buildings are built of stone, giving the impression that a posh London district has moved to the countryside.
“Charles was keen for the project to be developed in line with his passionate architectural ideas,” Blake Holt, president of the Poundbury Residents’ Association, told AFP.
“It was about giving people quality accommodation that was beautiful to look at and a beautiful place to live,” he adds of the Duchess of Cornwall Pub, named in honor of the Queen Consort Camilla.
Charles and Camilla, before becoming King and Queen, were Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, titles now held by the King’s eldest son, William, and his wife Kate.
The King has always been staunchly opposed to modern architecture, a position he developed in a 1989 book entitled Vision of Britain. A few years earlier he had derailed an extension project for the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, London, likening it to a “monstrous wart”.
Photo Adrian DENNIS / AFP
“Enemies” among architects
The neoclassical Georgian-style housing development, which borders the town of Dorchester, is intended to reflect the King’s architectural vision, but has been criticized since its inception as a sort of “feudal Disneyland” due to the colorful architectural styles.
“Over the years (the king) has certainly made enemies among architects,” says Matthew Carmona, professor of urban planning at University College London.
But he concedes that the initially skeptical world of architecture “has accepted the messages about the need to build more sustainably and to build places where you can walk and where uses are diversified”.
For supporters of the project, Charles’ commitment to developing Poundbury’s high-tech sector also shows that the king is not living entirely in the past.
Alun Reece, director of a local company that makes aviation equipment, says the village is “well thought out for the environment and for our employees”.
The king “is really for progress, but it has to be good progress,” he adds.
The residents also seem conquered. “Basically, I told myself I would never move here,” says Heather Fosdike, 60. “But after a divorce, I feel good and safe when I’m alone.”
The village is not reserved for the elderly: there is even a school. On the other hand, there are no street signs, a will by the king to encourage residents to exercise good judgement.
“It’s a great place to raise a kid,” says Jenny Janthe, a 28-year-old mum who previously lived in London.
Some local residents still point to the lack of community spirit in the village. For Pastor Glynn Barrow, the main reason is that “there is a gap that needs to be filled, the cost of living here is very high, but there is also public housing”.
“There is no middle man,” he says.
With Poundbury being part of the Duchy of Cornwall – now owned by Crown Prince William – Charles’ influence remains very important.
“He was very interested in the subject from the start,” says Jason Bowerman, who leads the subdivision’s development. “I have no doubt that he will continue to look very closely at the matter.”