London's architecture

GEORGIAN

Characterized by long rows of large, uniform, multi-floored buildings, the Georgian style was popular in London throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries. This style draws some inspiration from Italian Palladian architecture, which often includes pillars, sloped, triangular roofs, grand staircases, and even domes. Windows in Georgian buildings are typically large, square, and spaced at regular intervals on each floor; however, they often vary in size and height between floors. The top story of Georgian buildings is usually distinct from the other stories, often separated by a narrow ledge. Small balconies as well as decorative pillars are common features of Georgian architecture. Arches, should they be included, are typically rounded smoothly at the top rather than pointed. Bath is built mostly in the Georgian style.

STREET IN BATH

Uniformity is emphasized in Georgian architecture, and this street in Bath is a perfect example. Note the columns, miniature balconies, and regular, square windows of the buildings on each side. Additionally, the building at the end of the street has windows of different sizes on different floors and an angled roof with square chimneys protruding prominently, another telling Georgian feature.

PULTENEY BRIDGE

Pulteney Bridge in Bath is a unique example of Georgian architecture. Note the uniform, rounded archways underneath and the symmetry of the bridge as a whole. There is a major contrast between the windows of the lower level and those of the upper level; the windows of the top level retain the white panes from the lower level but are much shorter. Additionally, the top level and roof are separated from the rest of the bridge by a narrow ledge.

EMPIRE HOTEL

Built in 1901, the Empire Hotel in Bath is a classic example of Georgian architecture. Features typical of the era on display here include balconies, pillars, ledges between layers, a triangle-shaped roof, and rounded-top arches. Interestingly, the roofline is constructed in three formations, one for each tier of guest. For the richest, the shape of a castle's tower, visible on the left corner of the building. In the middle, the shape of a manor house, for the middle class. On the left, a cottage, for lower class residents. Like most other buildings in Bath, the Empire Hotel is constructed from Bath Stone. Because of its historical significance, the building is a Grade II listed building, meaning it is designated for protection and maintenance by the government.

Front view of the hotel

Side view of the hotel

vICTORIAN/GOTHIC revival

During the reign of Queen Victoria, architecture shifted from the Georgian style to become more ornate and impressive. Inspired by original Gothic architecture from the Middle Ages, Neo-Gothic or Gothic Revival architecture became the style of choice during Queen Victoria's reign. Architecture from the Victorian era is often taller than Georgian architecture, with many distinct, long vertical lines to draw the eye upwards. Towers and studded spires became staples of the Victorian era. Windows, in contrast to the Georgian style, tended to be narrower, taller, and more uniform. Arches tend to be pointed at the top rather than rounded. Additionally, much more exterior detail than Georgian architecture became common, and of course, the flying buttress is an iconic feature of the Gothic Revival.

HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT

Originally built in the 11th century, the Houses of Parliament were reconstructed in the 1840s after a fire consumed the original building. Key features here include the tall, narrow, arched windows, the external embellishment, and well-defined straight vertical lines spanning the length of the building. Additionally, studded spires are present at the corners of each tower.

WINDSOR CASTLE

While originally constructed in the 10th century, the Lower Ward of Windsor Castle was renovated in the style of the Gothic Revival during the Victorian era. Note the flying buttresses! The windows are tall and narrow, shaped into peaked arches. Spires dot the roofline and corners of the towers. Other exterior details, like intricate designs on the windows and railings, give the building more complexity.

COLOGNE CATHEDRAL INTERIOR

This is the interior of the Cologne Cathedral. While Westminster Abbey would have been preferable, as it is actually in London, photography was forbidden. However, the interior of the Cologne Cathedral bears a striking resemblance. The long vertical lines carved in detail into each pillar draw the eye of the observer all the way up to the ceiling. Note the vaulted, ribbed ceilings, which come together in a sharp peak. Stained glass, of course, was common for cathedrals constructed in the style of the Victorian Gothic Revival, and an intricate example is partially visible in this picture. The ceiling of Westminster Abbey, unlike this photo, contains even further intricate design work; Tudor roses and other designs mark the intersection between the tops of two arches.

ART DECO

Between the two World Wars, from early 1920s throughout the 1930s, a style of architecture known as Art Deco became the popular choice for newly constructed buildings. Rejecting previous ornate, intricate and stylized trends, Art Deco was a movement that sought to simplify architecture and call attention to the beauty of symmetry and plain design. Typically constructed with white exteriors, buildings in the Art Deco style are designed to be massive, imposing structures. Characteristic features include clearly-defined lines, typically blocky geometry, square, uniform windows (sometimes complimented by smooth arches), and a clear division of different tiers of the building.

SHELL MEX HOUSE

Built in 1931, the Shell Mex house is situated directly on the bank of the Thames. The symmetry is meticulous and immediately obvious. A huge, white block, the building appears incredibly imposing, even from a distance - no accident. Large, rectangular sections compose the entirety of the building's geometry. Little exterior detail exists, apart from windows and a few ledges and rounded arches. The enormous clock face which rises from the top of the building completes the composition, emphasizing its sharp corners and large, simple shapes.

SENATE HOUSE LIBRARY

The Senate House Library on the University of London campus is formidable in appearance thanks to its large, sheer faces and blocky, tiered design. Like other buildings of the Art Deco style, it has perfect symmetry and very little exterior detail, apart from windows and a few rounded arches. Multiple tiers and the small windows make the building appear larger and taller than it actually is; the accented ridge running down the middle of the building's face enhances this effect as well. The wings on each side of the building add a layer of dimension to the monolith, extending toward the observer in an impressive manner. Completed in 1937, the Senate House Library in the past functioned as the headquarters for the Ministry of Information; in fact, its construction was so striking that George Orwell based the description of the fictional Ministry of Truth on the Senate House Library.

THE ADELPHI

The Adelphi is another typical example of Art Deco architecture. It's pale, square, and blocky exterior lacks much detail or geometry. The building is mostly symmetrical (the picture is taken from an angle), with windows arranged in regular rows. However, unlike the Senate House Library and the Shell Mex House, the Adelphi does not have a particularly exaggerated tier pattern, and its windows are unusually large. As a result, the building does not seem as exaggeratedly tall. Instead, the building relies on its depth to lend it the heft and bulk of buildings constructed in the Art Deco style; it extends from the bank of the Thames nearly back to the street, a distance of around 100 meters.

BRUTALIST

During the Blitz of WWII, London was bombed extensively, damaging or destroying many of the city's buildings. Brutalist architecture was a direct response to London's need for abundant, cheap, quick-to-construct housing, working and recreation spaces. Characteristic features of Brutalist buildings include large, blocky shapes, long balconies, and an unpainted concrete exterior. Like the Art-Deco style, Brutalist architecture often incorporates new ideas or unconventional shapes into buildings. Brutalist installations are often low and sprawling, with different buildings typically connected by elevated and or covered walkways.

THE BARBICAN ESTATE

Built on an area covering 40 acres, the Barbican Estate is comprised of living areas, performing arts spaces, public spaces, a cinema, the Museum of London, a library, and a school. Constructed during the 1960s and 1980s, every part of the Barbican features a rugged, bare concrete exterior. Wide elevated walkways with low, overhanging ceilings provide access to different parts of the estate. Long balconies ring the interior courtyards, which contain landscaped plants, parks, playgrounds, and water features. Built to function, the Barbican Estate has all the essential features to be an entirely self-contained community, an important priority during the real estate crisis following WWII.

THE NATIONAL THEATRE

The bare concrete exterior, blocky design, and elevated, terraced walkways clearly mark the National Theatre as Brutalist architecture. The unconventional cubes and elongated rectangles that rise through the design of the building at different angles are one example of the often unconventional geometry of buildings constructed in the Brutalist style. Like the Barbican Estate, layered balconies are prominently featured in the design. Also similar to the Barbican Estate, an emphasis is placed on public facilities. The National Theatre contains performance venues, restaurants, bars, and other public spaces.

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

Right across the street from the National Theatre, the Southbank Centre is another prime example of Brutalist architecture on the banks of the Thames. Constructed almost exclusively of bare concrete, the building is accessible via elevated walkways. Balconies jut out over the lower layers, but are not as terraced as those of the Barbican Estate and Natinol Theatre. However, like those other Brutalist buildings, the Southbank Centre also houses a variety of public facilities, including a gallery, performance spaces, restaurants, and even a skatepark.

CONTEMPORARY

Modern architecture in London is much more free-form than past styles. Glass, metal, curved elements, and rounded edges are all common features of contemporary architecture. As construction techniques and technologies have improved, contemporary architecture in London has scaled up. Skyscrapers now dot the London skyline, and the tallest building in the European Union (pending Brexit, at least) is the London Shard.

THE SHARD

Opened in 2012, the Shard is 90 stories and more than 300 meters tall, making it the tallest skyscraper in the European Union - until Brexit. Its all-glass exterior, tapered conical shape, and diverging, pointed top give the Shard a slightly aggressive yet futuristic and magnificent appearance. Visible from almost anywhere in central London, the Shard has quickly become a London icon.

LEADENHALL BUILDING

Construction on the Leadenhall Building finished in 2004. An almost all-glass exterior with supports clearly visible through the windows, the Leadenhall Building is one of the most prominent skyscrapers in London's financial district, reaching 48 floors and more than 200 meters high. Its slanted, tapering shape gave it the unofficial nickname "the Cheesegrater."

LONDON SKYLINE

The London skyline perfectly demonstrates the diversity of designs and construction techniques in use in contemporary architecture. No two buildings are the same, or in fact, particularly resemble each other, despite the fact that virtually all are clad almost entirely in glass. Unlike the architecture of previous ages, contemporary buildings are remarkabl not because of their similar features, but because of the diversity of their differences.

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