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M296 Competition design for the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff

Address: Cathays Park, Cardiff
Date: 1909–10
Client: National Museum Council
Authorship:

(Office)

Introduction

In August 1909 a major competition was announced for a new National Museum to be built in Cathays Park, Cardiff. The assessors were Sir Aston Webb, J. J. Burnet, Edwin T. Hall and Dr William Evans Hoyle. 1 Over 300 designs were received by the closing date of 31 January 1910. The winning design, by Smith & Brewer, London, was an imposing Beaux-Arts inspired scheme, projected to cost £250,000.

Authorship: Honeyman, Keppie & Mackintosh appear to have submitted a design. A cashbook entry on 7 October 1909 notes a payment of two guineas for 'Cardiff Museum', the fee to enter the competition; and there is a further payment on 18 February 1910 of four guineas to 'Wylie Perspective Cardiff'. There is no evidence to connect Mackintosh with the design. 2

Status: Unbuilt

Notes:

1: British Architect, 72, 27 August 1909, p. viii.

2: The Hunterian, University of Glasgow: John Honeyman & Keppie / Honeyman, Keppie & Mackintosh / Keppie Henderson cash book, 1889-1917, GLAHA 53079, pp. 128 and 132.

'Mackintosh Architecture' led by The Hunterian, University of Glasgow, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council; with additional support from The Monument Trust, The Pilgrim Trust, and the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art; and collaborative input from Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.