Rights Managed > Historic England > Abstracts > Reflections
Commonwealth Institute JLP01_08_063759
Filename: jlp01_08_063759.jpg
Size: 5395 x 4123 (4.1MB)
Date: 8th February 2022
Source: Historic England
Credit: A© Historic England Archive. Joh
Copyright Status: Copyrighted Work
Source: Historic England Archive
Owner URL: https://images.historicenglandservices.org.uk/
© Historic England Archive
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Historic England
Commonwealth Institute JLP01_08_063759
COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE, KENSINGTON HIGH STREET, KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA, GREATER LONDON. A view of the Commonwealth Institute with the exhibition hall reflected in the ornamental pond in front.
Laing built the Commonwealth Institute between October 1960 and October 1962 to replace the former Imperial Institute that was to be demolished to make way for new facilities at Imperial College. The building consisted of a four-storey administrative block housing a library, restaurant, board room and conference hall and a separate two-storey b lock containing a cinema with an art gallery above, but the focus of the project was the exhibition hall with its hyperbolic paraboloid roof, the first of its kind constructed in Great Britain. The exhibition, designed by James Gardner, provided spaces where each of the Commonwealth nations could showcase their achievements and characteristics, primarily to school children as teaching aids to enliven history and geography lessons
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 24320092
© Historic England Archive
1960s Art Gallery Exhibition Hall Office Reflections
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the iconic Commonwealth Institute in Kensington, London. The image showcases the grandeur of the building with its exhibition hall reflected beautifully in the ornamental pond situated in front. Constructed by Laing between 1960 and 1962, this architectural marvel replaced the former Imperial Institute to accommodate new facilities at Imperial College. The building consisted of a four-storey administrative block that housed various amenities such as a library, restaurant, board room, and conference hall. Additionally, there was a separate two-storey block featuring a cinema and an art gallery above it. However, the true highlight of this project was undoubtedly the exhibition hall with its groundbreaking hyperbolic paraboloid roof - a pioneering design for Great Britain at that time. Designed by James Gardner, this space served as an educational platform where each Commonwealth nation could proudly display their achievements and unique characteristics. It primarily aimed to engage school children by enlivening history and geography lessons through interactive exhibits. Preserved within Historic England Archive's collection is this remarkable photograph taken by A© Joh. It not only immortalizes an important piece of London's architectural heritage but also symbolizes unity among Commonwealth nations through education and cultural exchange.
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