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Upper gallery JLP01_08_062289
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Upper gallery JLP01_08_062289
COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE, KENSINGTON HIGH STREET, KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA, GREATER LONDON. An interior view of the upper gallery in the Commonwealth Institute exhibition hall showing the beams of the outer roof sections.
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.
The shell arch of the central roof section was of reinforced concrete, cast in situ using timber formwork with rough sawn boards to provide a textured internal surface whilst the four outer " warps" were constructed using precast beams and wood wool slabs, blocks of shredded timber bound together in a cement paste and left visible from the interior. The entire roof was then clad in copper sheeting over a layer of vermiculite. It covers an area of 33, 700sqft, 183 feet square with the central section 93 feet square and ranges between 30ft high at its lowest and 80ft at the peaks
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 24320084
© Historic England Archive
1960s Construction Curves Interior Light
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the stunning upper gallery of the Commonwealth Institute exhibition hall in Kensington, London. The image showcases the intricate beams of the outer roof sections, highlighting the architectural marvel that is the hyperbolic paraboloid roof. Constructed by Laing between 1960 and 1962, this iconic building replaced the former Imperial Institute. It consisted of a four-storey administrative block and a separate two-storey block housing a cinema and art gallery. However, it was the exhibition hall that stole the show with its groundbreaking design. Designed by James Gardner, the exhibition aimed to showcase each Commonwealth nation's achievements and characteristics. It served as an educational tool for school children to enliven their history and geography lessons. The central roof section features a shell arch made from reinforced concrete cast in situ using timber formwork with rough sawn boards for texture. The four outer "warps" were constructed using precast beams and wood wool slabs bound together with cement paste, creating a visually striking interior view. Covering an impressive area of 33,700 square feet, this unique roof is clad in copper sheeting over vermiculite insulation. Its height ranges from 30 feet at its lowest point to 80 feet at its peaks. This remarkable photograph provides us with a glimpse into one of London's architectural gems - an enduring testament to innovation and creativity in design.
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