Monday, February 14, 2011

The Royal Institute of British Architects, London

RIBA, LondonThis building at 66 Portland Place, London is the home of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Designed by George Grey Wornum it was officially opened in November 1934 by King George V and Queen Mary. In 1970 it became the first modern building to recieve Grade II* listing.

The entrance has two huge bronze doors bearing a relief of the Thames river with some of London's buildings by James Woodford.

RIBA, London

The left door (above) includes the Houses of Parliament and Guildhall but I paticularily liked the way the three rounded steps combine with a ramped paths on either side leading to the entrance.

RIBA, London

Woodford also designed the two figures that stand on columns either side of the doorway who with a third figure high on the facade by Bainbridge Copnall represent the spirit of man and woman as creative forces of architecture.

RIBA, London

High on the side of the RIBA building there are five figures also by Copnall.

RIBA, London
A working man

RIBA, London
An engineer

RIBA, London
A painter

RIBA, London
A sculptor

RIBA, London
and an architect represented by Chirstopher Wren

Reference:
Guide to 66 Portland Place
at

6 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    Yes, I love the rounded steps and ramp. I've never seen anything quite like that before. Really unique.

    Cheers,
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  2. David ThompsonFebruary 15, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    Lisa, there is so much going on inside this building as well. You'd love it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. wall artFebruary 20, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    Design principles have changed all types of buildings to help make them more beautiful and artistic in their styles.

    ReplyDelete
  4. David ThompsonFebruary 20, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    I am a strong believer that time can be put into the design process to create buildings that are sustainable, beautiful, functional and of great quality. The building process should then be able to deliver these qualities.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Architect LondonNovember 24, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    Fantastic idea & design. Really it was very modern. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. David ThompsonNovember 25, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    And very fitting for a society of architects.

    ReplyDelete