Drawings 2 and 3 have three variant designs for the south front, one shown on the fliers on drawing 2. The existing house is seven-bays on two stories, beneath a hipped roof. Soane's drawings show three variant designs for the Ionic portico. The first design, under the fliers on drawing 2, has a simple pediment, columns measuring 27 feet high and 2 feet 10 inches in diameter at their base, and a straight-flight stair. The second design (on the fliers) has a smaller stair and an alternative pediment supporting three urns. The third design, on drawing 3, resembles drawing 2 with its pedimented portico and straight-flight stair but the design has taller columns (by 3 feet 5½ inches) and a slightly taller pediment, a doorcase surrounded by a semiciricular-headed recess and alternative ground floor windows.

Drawings 2 and 3 show alternative designs for the entrance vestibule. Drawing 3 shows a vestibule with segmental ends, measuring 12 by 18 feet. Drawing 2 is a more complex design having a sequence of paired columns framing the procession from front door to principal staircase.

A photographic view of the house shows an elevation with flat architraves and no aprons beneath the windows. This built design does not resemble drawings 2 or 3 (see Knowsley Arts and Heritage Service and http://history.knowsley.gov.uk).

Group

Digitisation of the Drawings Collection has been made possible through the generosity of the Leon Levy Foundation

If you have any further information about this object, please contact us: drawings@soane.org.uk