Rights Managed > Historic England > Industry > Engineering and Construction > Building the Commonwealth Institute
Discussion JLP01_08_061409
Filename: jlp01_08_061409.jpg
Size: 4613 x 4797 (5.5MB)
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
Discussion JLP01_08_061409
COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE, KENSINGTON HIGH STREET, KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA, GREATER LONDON. Sir James Robertson, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth Institute (right) and two other men drinking beer at the topping out ceremony reception.
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 24320080
© Historic England Archive
1960s Celebration Drink People Smile Beer
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a significant moment in the history of the Commonwealth Institute, located on Kensington High Street in Greater London. The image showcases Sir James Robertson, Chairman of the Board of Governors, engaging in lively conversation with two other gentlemen during the topping out ceremony reception. As they enjoy their beers, their animated discussion reflects the excitement surrounding this architectural marvel. Constructed by Laing between 1960 and 1962, the Commonwealth Institute was built to replace the former Imperial Institute. This new establishment featured a four-storey administrative block housing various facilities such as a library, restaurant, board room, and conference hall. Additionally, there was a separate two-storey block that housed an art gallery above a cinema. However, it was undoubtedly the exhibition hall that stole the spotlight with its groundbreaking hyperbolic paraboloid roof – an architectural first for Great Britain. Designed by James Gardner and aimed primarily at school children as teaching aids for history and geography lessons, this exhibition provided each Commonwealth nation with spaces to showcase their achievements and characteristics. The print from A© Historic England Archive offers us a glimpse into this celebratory occasion where intellectual conversations blend seamlessly with conviviality. It serves as both a testament to British architectural ingenuity and cultural exchange within the Commonwealth nations during that era.
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