Getting There: Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD UK. By
tube We are within walking distance of South Kensington station on the
District, Circle and Piccadilly lines
Map
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7942 5000
Website
Opening Times: Open every day 10.00 - 17.50
Building History
- The Natural History Museum is located in central
London and is another fine example of a
Grade 1 listed building and is considered to
be one of the great Victorian museums of the 19th century. Although the
museum itself did not open its doors to the public until 1881, it has a
history which now spans in excess of 250 years. As per usual with any growing
collection of specimens, the original site soon become too small and petitions
were made to the government of the day to help acquire a new, more fitting
site on which to construct a permanent building. The chosen location was South
Kensington and the site previously housed the International Exhibition of
1862, a building which had attained the honour of the ugliest building in
London. This being the case, it was strange
then that the architect of this former carbuncle, a Captain Francis Fowke, was
chosen to build the new structure, in fact he actually won the competition
designed to find a new improved design. The curator at the time was Sir
Richard Owen and it is thought that he had a heavy influence in the design
work and perhaps it was thought that with his obvious influence, a building
could be constructed utilising the skills of Fowke who had detailed knowledge
of the site. As fate would have it, Fowke died suddenly and instead the
contract was awarded to a young architect, Alfred Waterhouse from Manchester
who proceeded to make some alterations to Fowkes design work.
Waterhouse decided to alter the design from Renaissance to German Romanesque
thus creating the visually stunning “Waterhouse” building that is still
present today. Many consider the Waterhouse building to be a work of art and
it is known the world over, many visitors come to study this Grade 1 listed
building and almost study the exhibits as an after thought. Waterhouse
admitted that the rounded arches and grand entrance were inspired by basalt
columns that he had seen at Fingal's Cave in Western Scotland. Inside, the
building is cavernous with a wonderful feeling of space, unlike many museums,
there is plenty of floor area available and exhibits do not feel squeezed in.
When you first arrive at the building, the first thing you notice is the huge
façade and high, spired towers. One might be forgiven for thinking that this
building was a cathedral not a museum. The building integrates the romantic
and the practical using a symmetrical plan, the central entrance which leads
to a cathedral like hall and incorporates two very grand stair cases that lead
to the other galleries.
Outside the building stretches some 680 feet in
length and it is constructed with a bilateral symmetrical plan designed around
its grand historic building entrance, at the sides are located two
three story wings with side lit galleries with tower pavilions at each end.
Internal courtyards separate top lit back galleries, which are parallel to the
central cathedral gallery. The building was constructed with a structural iron
framework of columns and beams, supporting concrete vaults covered by
plasterwork ceilings with iron or glass roofs.
The top lit galleries below the iron and glass roofs were constructed on the
same principle as the Victorian railway stations allowing light and
ventilation to enter the building.
The structure is faced with Terracotta, which was pretty much a first at the
time, this material is inexpensive, durable and highly decorative and was easy
to clean, a fact that was quite important in grey smoggy Victorian times.
This washable surface is still much appreciated
today, this fine
grade one listed building is still under
attack from modern pollutants and hopefully on going renovation will
enable it to be enjoyed for many years to come.
UK's Top 20 Historic Listed Buildings:
The Museum of Natural History
(London)