New London Architecture by Kenneth Powell

The Globalist PhotoGallery

New London Architecture

Text by Kenneth Powell

Published by Merrell Publishers Ltd.

240 pages. Dimensions (in inches): 9.5 x 11

Order this book

Enter gallery

Across the Millennium Bridge, London’s scenery cuts into the sky. One sees the lofty dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral, the giant chimney of the Tate Modern and the reconstruction of Shakespeare’s quaint Globe Theatre.

The bridge itself is part of the London landscape, like a long steel arm reaching across the Thames River as little ferryboats pass underneath.

Local pubs speckle the bankside, with flowers hanging from windows and patrons sipping a pint by the river’s edge. "New London Architecture," Kenneth Powell's new book, provides a thoughtful collection of photography and illustrations for the changing London skyline.

Kenneth Powell, architecture critic and journalist, selects London’s best examples of innovative and practical designs, offering sharp summaries and commentaries on the construction and history of its infrastructure and public spaces.

He covers over 100 projects from the last century, both small and large — touching on a wide variety of the modern capital’s architecture. Powell's examples include metro stations, museums, corporate offices, leisure centers, theatres, amphitheatres and schools.

The British Airways London Eye, one of the city’s most famous public projects, is a ferris wheel that can hold up to 25 people in each capsule. It is a staggering 135 meters tall — about the height of a cathedral spire. A view from the top overlooks the city, even into the homes of the British Prime Minister and the Queen.

Another major city project is the Wembley Stadium. In use since the 1940s, the formerly outdated stadium lies in a poor area of London that the city hopes to energize through the renovated space, which can host a variety of sports. The stadium features a retractable roof, accentuated by a dramatic arch.

From the Millenium Bridge, the Swiss Re Headquarters is a curious sight — standing out from conventional skyscrapers with its conical shape. Designed to incorporate green garden spaces in the workplace, office space spirals around the gardens.

The gardens, besides aesthetic appeal, are meant to re-oxygenate stale office air through dense vegetation, thereby creating more fresh air and energy for creative work. In fact, it is the building's main form of ventilation.

Besides innovative office buildings and public works, Powell also devotes an entire chapter to London’s international museums and galleries. The British Museum — home to great artifacts like the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian obelisks — is a grand example of blending sleek modernity with classic elements.

Located in the heart of London, the museum’s Great Court created a new public space for London. The ceiling arches above like netted glass, and on clear days, the blue sky fills the room with color and light.

Home to the works of modern artists like Dalí, the Tate Modern shows the versatility and creativity of architecture. Previously an old power plant, the brick building has been transformed into a world famous museum — where the turbine hall has become a public forum, and the chimney top is being considered as a viewing gallery.

Besides buildings, Powell also highlights the city’s infrastructure, such as underground stations for the city’s “tube” system.

Westminster stop on the Jubilee line is an austere station — poles and beams of steel protruding from the walls and green-lit escalators climbing up towards the surface. Only a street away from Big Ben, Westminster is a modern stop right next to England’s Parliamentary buildings.

For each point of interest, Powell provides a thorough yet quick summary of the architecture that reinvented part of the London skyline and urban community. His book highlights the reshaping of London through its functional yet innovative architecture.

Let us know what you think ...

You must be a registered user of our site to send us your comments. If you have already registered, please log in. If you a new user of our site, please register now. Registration is quick, easy and completely free.

Complete the below to send a letter to the editor about this article.

Name

Email Address

City and State

Country

Comments

Please note: If we publish your comment on The Globalist, we will identify only your name, city and country. We do not publish anonymous comments. Your email address will not be published.

We regret that we cannot publish every comment we receive. Furthermore, because we review each comment before it is published, there may be a delay between the time you send your comment and its appearance on our site. The Globalist reserves the right to edit comments for style and length.


	Copyright © 2000-2010 by The Globalist. Reproduction of content on this site without The Globalist's written permission is strictly prohibited. Terms of Use \| Privacy Policy The Globalist claims full trademark rights to The Globalist name and logos. McPherson Square, 927 15th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20005