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Framed Print : Hyperbolic paraboloid formwork JLP01_08_060599
Framed Photos From Historic England
Hyperbolic paraboloid formwork JLP01_08_060599
COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE, KENSINGTON HIGH STREET, KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA, GREATER LONDON. Workers constructing the timber formwork for the central hyperbolic paraboloid roof section of the exhibition hall at the Commonwealth Institute.
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 24320026
© Historic England Archive
1960s Construction Curves People Work Sculptural
12"x10" Modern Frame
Step into the past with our latest addition to the Media Storehouse Framed Prints collection. This stunning image captures the timeless beauty of construction history, featuring workers constructing the iconic hyperbolic paraboloid formwork JLP01_08_060599 from the Historic England Archive. A© Historic England, this captivating photograph showcases the intricate process of creating the central roof section of an exhibition at the Commonwealth Institute, Kensington High Street, Kensington and Chelsea, Greater London. Bring this piece of architectural history into your home or office and add a touch of timeless elegance to your space.
10x8 Print in an MDF Wooden Frame with 180 gsm Satin Finish Paper. Glazed using shatter proof thin plexi glass. Frame thickness is 1 inch and depth 0.75 inch. Fluted cardboard backing held with clips. Supplied ready to hang with sawtooth hanger and rubber bumpers. Spot clean with a damp cloth. Packaged foam wrapped in a card.
Contemporary Framed and Mounted Prints - Professionally Made and Ready to Hang
Estimated Image Size (if not cropped) is 25.4cm x 25.4cm (10" x 10")
Estimated Product Size is 30.5cm x 25.4cm (12" x 10")
These are individually made so all sizes are approximate
Artwork printed orientated as per the preview above, with landscape (horizontal) or portrait (vertical) orientation to match the source image.
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the intricate construction process of the hyperbolic paraboloid roof section at the Commonwealth Institute in Kensington, London. The workers can be seen diligently constructing the timber formwork for this groundbreaking architectural marvel. Built by Laing between 1960 and 1962, the Commonwealth Institute was designed to replace the former Imperial Institute and serve as a hub for showcasing achievements and characteristics of various Commonwealth nations. The exhibition hall, with its unique hyperbolic paraboloid roof, was a focal point of this project. The central roof section featured a shell arch made of reinforced concrete cast in situ using timber formwork with rough sawn boards to create an interesting textured internal surface. The four outer "warps" were constructed using precast beams and wood wool slabs, giving them a distinct appearance from inside. Covering an impressive area of 33,700 square feet, with the central section measuring 93 feet square, this magnificent structure ranged in height from 30 feet at its lowest point to 80 feet at its peaks. To complete its grandeur, copper sheeting was used as cladding over a layer of vermiculite. This print serves as both a testament to the skilled craftsmanship involved in creating such an architectural masterpiece and as a reminder of the historical significance that it holds within Greater London's landscape.
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