Hand formed window

Modern houses, you know, built in the 18th century like me, have neat rectangular windows, framed with straight edged stone. They are designed according to the proportions of the Golden Ratio (it says here). “The panes of glass also reflect the ratio of 1:1.6 … giving a harmonious quality our brains love to see”. Which I call eyesweet.

Earlier houses here were built using a technique known as random rubble, which is as scary as it sounds. Straight edges are are accidental. And in this case, hand formed, the harl just being pressed round the corners. And Golden Ratios? Can you see one?

Later, many were Georgianised, as was our own. So ours is officially listed as built around 1810, when it’s at least 100 years older, and also random rubble with added straight edges. Harl covers a multitude of sins!