Collection: Phillip Webb

Phillip Webb - William Morris & Co Friends | Willy Morris Home Emporium

Philip Webb (1831–1915) was a British architect and designer closely associated with the Arts and Crafts Movement and a key collaborator of William Morris. Often referred to as the 'Father of Arts and Crafts Architecture', Webb championed traditional craftsmanship, natural materials, and harmonious design inspired by medieval and vernacular architecture. His most famous work, 'The Red House' (1859) in Bexleyheath, was designed for William Morris and became a model for the Arts and Crafts ethos, emphasising simplicity, functionality, and a connection to nature. Webb's architectural philosophy rejected industrial mass production, favouring hand-crafted details and an organic integration of form and function.

Beyond architecture, Webb played a crucial role in William Morris & Co., co-founding 'Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co.' in 1861. He contributed designs for furniture, stained glass and decorative arts, helping to shape the distinctive aesthetic of the Arts and Crafts Movement. His emphasis on authenticity and craftsmanship aligned with Morris’s socialist ideals, promoting an ethical approach to design and labor. Despite his significant influence, Webb withdrew from commercial design later in life, instead focusing on conservation efforts, including early campaigns to protect historic buildings. His legacy endures in the continued appreciation of Arts and Crafts principles in architecture and design.

The creator and designer of Trelis