Cemented in Time: Concrete Bungalows designed by Cambridge Architect James Thomas Douce 1914-1928

This study examines the significant architectural commissions of James Thomas Douce in Cambridge and the surrounding districts between1914 and 1928. The major component of the thesis will encompass a historical and an architectural discussion of 15 of his major works that were constructed in concrete. Added to this discourse there will be a conversation around their relationship with the town of Cambridge, the urban environment, contemporises who constructed the vernacular in concrete, the importance of these buildings in their setting. The focal point of the study will highlight Douce’s prowess and contribution as an architect. During the early part of the twentieth century he was at the height of his career when he received commissions from prominent Cambridge identities. An onsite investigation will underscore the exceptional qualities and design of each structure. Attention to the architectural merits, historical context and heritage values of each bungalow will be analysed. The examination of primary and secondary sources will focus on; historical records, the construction and the design elements, how his bungalows contributed to the architectural landscape and what impact Douce’s bungalows had on the Cambridge streetscape during the early1900s. Douce was Cambridge’s most successful architect from 1910 to his retirement in 1945. An honours paper undertaken at Auckland University (2003) established that many vernacular and commercial buildings in the Cambridge District can be attributed to him. This thesis encompasses a time frame that reflects his principal commissions and their relationship in the urban setting of Cambridge.