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78 Derngate was Mackintosh's final major commission; his visionary patron was W.J Bassett-Lowke, a Northampton model engineer. It is the only place where Mackintosh's mature architectural and interior style can be seen in its original setting.
It is a tragedy that Mackintosh's personal situation, alcoholism, and unfortunate financial circumstances heavily influenced his work. One of the few building projects carried out during his London period illustrates that it was neither lack of genius nor waning architectural creativity which caused him to concentrate his output on textile design. He demonstrated his usual excellence in the remodelling of a Victorian terraced house in Northampton for Basset-Lowke, a member of the Design and Industries Association. The sensational geometric designs of the façade and the interior are today considered to be the first examples of Modern Style architecture in Britain.
The house has been meticulously restored and opened to the public.
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