Hidden amongst the Northamptonshire countryside, is the impressive 16th Century structure of Lyvden New Build. It was the vision of Sir Thomas Tresham; a wealthy intellectual, to create a garden house for him and his guests. However a number of misfortunes led the structure never to be completed.
As you walk around the house, you notice a certain architectural beauty and this is understandable, as Tresham had a keen interest in this particular art, and took a great deal of time/care on designing Lyvden. He was also a devote catholic and this devotion can be seen prominently within the structure. Firstly one must observe Lyvden from above (below right) and the viewpoint shows how the structure is clearly indicative of a crucifix a key religious symbol. Next you have to get close to the structure to notice of the repeating pattern of symbols that surround the house, featuring such religious motifs as Judas’s money bag; the Crown of Thorns, ladder and spear used in the Crucifixion.
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| repeating religious motifs |
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| Lyvden from above |
However maybe the most interesting feature is the use of numerology. The lodge is noticeably symmetrical, but what you may be unaware of is that its precise measurements have an underlying religious meaning, take for example the plan, which consists of 5 equal squares; and each bay has 5 sides measuring 5 feet long and following this concept everything within the building, is either a multiple of 3,5 or 7.
3--> Is the number of the trinity
5--> The number of Christ and the Incarnation
7-->Is the number of the Godhead
This certainly shows Treshams great devotion to the divine and makes the viewer constantly reminded of his faith, but this was not an unusual phenomenon and many buildings at the time, aimed to Incorporated such religious iconography. Take for example Treshams other lodge, Triangular Lodge, and the suggestive name promotes the structure of the building a triangle, a link to the holy trinity and everything within the house is then linked to the number 3 with 3 floors and triangular windows.Although never completed Lyvden New Build is no empty shell, but acts as a prime reminder of 16th century architecture. It also emphasizes Treshams dedication to Catholicism, a dedication which also lead him never to finish the lodge.
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| Lyvden New Build |
Whilst visiting the Lodge, inside one of the bay windows, was a art installation, by artist Caroline Wright. Her piece Untiled(believe) was created as a response to the Buddhist principles of a Japanese tea ceremony. The four principles, Tranquility, Respect, Harmony, and Purity are written in green neon letters.
At first you may consider it somewhat shocking that such a modern installation should be placed in an ancient building such as Lyvden, especially considering that Lyvden is a place that promotes Catholicism whereas the artwork is based on Buddhist principles. Yet when you stare at the glowing letters, there meanings seem to be fully absorbed by the viewer and leave you feeling at ease with the environment, leaving Wrights work as less of an installation but as part of the environment, especially with the green surrounding countryside, further promoting the message within Wrights work.
