Rights Managed > Historic England > Industry > Engineering and Construction > Building the Commonwealth Institute
Exhibition Hall JLP01_08_063970
Filename: jlp01_08_063970.jpg
Size: 5395 x 4135 (3.5MB)
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
Exhibition Hall JLP01_08_063970
COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE, KENSINGTON HIGH STREET, KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA, GREATER LONDON. An interior view of the exhibition hall at the Commonwealth Institute showing the corner where two outer roof sections meet and the exposed concrete beams.
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 24320094
© Historic England Archive
1960s Curves Exhibition Hall Angles
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the magnificent interior of Exhibition Hall JLP01_08_063970 at the Commonwealth Institute in Kensington and Chelsea, Greater London. The image showcases the meeting point of two outer roof sections, revealing the striking exposed concrete beams that add a touch of architectural brilliance to this iconic structure. Constructed by Laing between October 1960 and October 1962, the Commonwealth Institute was built as a replacement for the former Imperial Institute. The building consisted of 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 featuring a cinema with an art gallery above. However, it was undoubtedly the exhibition hall that stole the spotlight with its groundbreaking hyperbolic paraboloid roof – an architectural marvel never before seen in Great Britain. Designed by James Gardner, this exhibition space served as a platform for each Commonwealth nation to showcase their achievements and characteristics. It primarily targeted school children as teaching aids to bring history and geography lessons to life. With its innovative design and purposeful intent, this photograph encapsulates both artistic beauty and educational significance. Preserved in A© Historic England Archive's collection, this print is not only visually stunning but also serves as an important historical document showcasing one of London's most remarkable architectural achievements from yesteryears.
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