Louis de Soissons

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Welwyn Garden City memorial garden to de Soissons in May 2017

Louis Emanuel Jean Guy de Savoie-Carignan de Soissons

Count de Soissons ( with claimed descent, through an illegitimate son, from Thomas Francis of Savoy, Prince of Carignano
). An architect, he was called for professional purposes Louis de Soissons.

Early life

de Soissons was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, but moved in childhood with his family to London. In 1913 he won the first year of the Henry Jarvis scholarship of the Royal Institute of British Architects, enabling three years of European travel and study.[1]

Career

The first major commission of the practice he set up (Louis de Soissons Partnership) was the 'master plan' (so-called - a very early use of the term) for

Shredded Wheat
factory for the eponymous Canadian company.

Other important early projects included the

new town
work.

After the

Sir Jack Hobbs, the noted Surrey and England player, and a statue of George VI
.

The

Crown Estates Commissioners retained the firm to restore Cumberland and Chester Terraces, by John Nash. For the MCC work has been carried out on seating. Work for academic institutions included Eton College, and Exeter and Cambridge Universities. The firm changed tack in the 1960s, and commercial work such as the Brighton Marina shows a greater deference to modernism. The firm's headquarters are now in Luton, Bedfordshire
.

Recognition and personal life

In 1923 Louis de Soissons became a fellow of the

Royal Academy
- in 1953 and was awarded the RIBA distinction in town planning in 1945.

In the 1956 New Year Honours he was decorated with the CVO.

Memorial to Sir Theodore Chambers, Welwyn Garden City (lettering designed by William Sharpington)[3]

Louis de Soissons married Elinor Penrose-Thackwell, by whom he had three sons: Philip (killed in action 1941), Maurice (1927–2019) and Brian (1929–2009).

Links

https://www.architecture.com/image-library/RIBApix/image-information/poster/louis-de-soissons/posterid/RIBA24016.html

https://www.cwgc.org/learn/horticulture-and-works/our-architects/louis-de-soissons

https://www.architecture.com/image-library/RIBApix/licensed-image/poster/louis-de-soissons/posterid/RIBA24016.html

https://louisdesoissons.com/history/

References

  1. ^ Connell, Ward and Lucas: Modern Movement Architects in England 1929-1939, by Dennis Sharp, Sally Rendel, page 198
  2. ISSN 2282-4979
    .
  3. ^ "Memorial to Sir Theodore". Monumental Journal and Commemorative Art. 28: 318. 1961. Retrieved 18 September 2023. The memorial was designed by Mr. Louis de Soissons...with lettering by Mr. W. H. Sharpington
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