Study Room resource: architecture & exploring skylines

Church of St Benet
Charles Robert Cockerell
About 1838
Pencil drawing
RIBA no. SD/127/10
www.RIBApix.com RIBA35235
RIBA Library Drawings Collection

This drawing was formerly part of an album entitled 'Ichnographia Publica', compiled by Charles Cockerell (1788 - 1863) from 1825 as a private 'scrapbook' containing measured drawings, notes and studies relating to the architecture of public buildings. Amongst the album's contents were a group of studies of churches, palaces, public and domestic buildings by (or which were then believed to be by) Wren that he used to develop, 'A Tribute to Sir Christopher Wren'.

The album attests to Cockerell's profound admiration of Wren's architecture and a sympathy for English Baroque architecture which is rare for the period. Charles Cockerell (1788 - 1863) had an intimate knowledge of Wren's buildings - he was for many years Surveyor to the Fabric of St Paul's Cathedral - and he borrowed and used in his own designs architectural features from the Wren buildings he studied. The drawings are significant as fine examples of Cockerell's draughtsmanship and as a demonstration of his pioneering appreciation of Wren's architecture. They are also a valuable topographical record of the buildings which they depict, many of which - especially the Wren City churches - have been demolished or otherwise altered since Cockerell's day.

This drawing can be found in RIBA Print Room Box 'Exploring Skylines'.

Sketched elevations of the steeple of Christ Church, Newgate Street and the tower of All Hallows Church, Bread Street, City of London
Charles Robert Cockerell
About 1838
Pencil drawing
RIBA no. SD/127/29
www.RIBApix.com RIBA35206
RIBA Library Drawings Collection

This drawing was formerly part of an album entitled 'Ichnographia Publica', compiled by Charles Cockerell (1788 - 1863) from 1825 as a private 'scrapbook' containing measured drawings, notes and studies relating to the architecture of public buildings. Amongst the album's contents were a group of studies of churches, palaces, public and domestic buildings by (or which were then believed to be by) Wren that he used to develop, 'A Tribute to Sir Christopher Wren'.

The album attests to Cockerell's profound admiration of Wren's architecture and a sympathy for English Baroque architecture which is rare for the period. Charles Cockerell (1788 - 1863) had an intimate knowledge of Wren's buildings - he was for many years Surveyor to the Fabric of St Paul's Cathedral - and he borrowed and used in his own designs architectural features from the Wren buildings he studied. The drawings are significant as fine examples of Cockerell's draughtsmanship and as a demonstration of his pioneering appreciation of Wren's architecture. They are also a valuable topographical record of the buildings which they depict, many of which - especially the Wren City churches - have been demolished or otherwise altered since Cockerell's day.  The bracketed numbers which accompany many of the sketches refer to the numbered 'key' to the engraved version of 'A Tribute to Sir Christopher Wren'.

This drawing can be found in RIBA Print Room Box 'Exploring Skylines'.

Church of St Magnus-the-Martyr, City of London: sketched perspective of the entrance facade and the bell tower 
Charles Robert Cockerell
About 1838
Pencil drawing
RIBA no. SD/127/28
www.RIBApix.com RIBA35223
RIBA Library Drawings Collection

This drawing was formerly part of an album entitled 'Ichnographia Publica', compiled by Charles Cockerell (1788 - 1863) from 1825 as a private 'scrapbook' containing measured drawings, notes and studies relating to the architecture of public buildings. Amongst the album's contents were a group of studies of churches, palaces, public and domestic buildings by (or which were then believed to be by) Wren that he used to develop, 'A Tribute to Sir Christopher Wren'. This church was rebuilt by Wren in 1676 following the Great Fire of London in 1666. The steeple, copied from the church of St Charles Borromee, in Antwerp, was added thirty years later.

The album attests to Cockerell's profound admiration of Wren's architecture and a sympathy for English Baroque architecture which is rare for the period. Charles Cockerell (1788 - 1863) had an intimate knowledge of Wren's buildings - he was for many years Surveyor to the Fabric of St Paul's Cathedral - and he borrowed and used in his own designs architectural features from the Wren buildings he studied. The drawings are significant as fine examples of Cockerell's draughtsmanship and as a demonstration of his pioneering appreciation of Wren's architecture. They are also a valuable topographical record of the buildings which they depict, many of which - especially the Wren City churches - have been demolished or otherwise altered since Cockerell's day. The bracketed numbers which accompany many of the sketches refer to the numbered 'key' to the engraved version of 'A Tribute to Sir Christopher Wren'.

This drawing can be found in RIBA Print Room Box 'Exploring Skylines'.

Sketched perspectives of the Monument and bell towers and spires of churches including St Peter's Cornhill, St Benet's Gracechurch Street and St Michael's Cornhill, City of London
Charles Robert Cockerell
About 1838
Pencil drawing
RIBA no. SD126/3
www.RIBApix.com RIBA35246
RIBA Library Drawings Collection

This drawing was formerly part of an album entitled 'Ichnographia Publica', compiled by Charles Cockerell (1788 - 1863) from 1825 as a private 'scrapbook' containing measured drawings, notes and studies relating to the architecture of public buildings. Amongst the album's contents were a group of studies of churches, palaces, public and domestic buildings by (or which were then believed to be by) Wren that he used to develop, 'A Tribute to Sir Christopher Wren'.

The album attests to Cockerell's profound admiration of Wren's architecture and a sympathy for English Baroque architecture which is rare for the period. Charles Cockerell (1788 - 1863) had an intimate knowledge of Wren's buildings - he was for many years Surveyor to the Fabric of St Paul's Cathedral - and he borrowed and used in his own designs architectural features from the Wren buildings he studied. The drawings are significant as fine examples of Cockerell's draughtsmanship and as a demonstration of his pioneering appreciation of Wren's architecture. They are also a valuable topographical record of the buildings which they depict, many of which - especially the Wren City churches - have been demolished or otherwise altered since Cockerell's day. The bracketed numbers which accompany many of the sketches refer to the numbered 'key' to the engraved version of 'A Tribute to Sir Christopher Wren'.

This drawing can be found in RIBA Print Room Box 'Exploring Skylines'.

Sketched details of a gate pier surmounted by an orb, Chelsea, London
Charles Robert Cockerell
About 1838
Pencil drawing
RIBA no. SD/127/22
www.RIBApix.com RIBA35220
RIBA Library Drawings Collection

This drawing was formerly part of an album entitled 'Ichnographia Publica', compiled by Charles Cockerell (1788 - 1863) from 1825 as a private 'scrapbook' containing measured drawings, notes and studies relating to the architecture of public buildings. Amongst the album's contents were a group of studies of churches, palaces, public and domestic buildings by (or which were then believed to be by) Wren that he used to develop, 'A Tribute to Sir Christopher Wren'. Christopher Wren designed the Royal Hospital, Chelsea in 1692, and the gate pier shown here may relate to this structure.

The album attests to Cockerell's profound admiration of Wren's architecture and a sympathy for English Baroque architecture which is rare for the period. Cockerell had an intimate knowledge of Wren's buildings - he was for many years Surveyor to the Fabric of St Paul's Cathedral - and he borrowed and used in his own designs architectural features from the Wren buildings he studied. The drawings are significant as fine examples of Cockerell's draughtsmanship and as a demonstration of his pioneering appreciation of Wren's architecture. They are also a valuable topographical record of the buildings which they depict, many of which - especially the Wren City churches - have been demolished or otherwise altered since Cockerell's day.

This drawing can be found in RIBA Print Room Box 'Exploring Skylines'.

Sketched perspective and details of a church, its spire and weathervane
Charles Robert Cockerell
About 1838
Pencil drawing
RIBA no. SD/127/16
www.RIBApix.com RIBA35228
RIBA Library Drawings Collection

This drawing was formerly part of an album entitled 'Ichnographia Publica', compiled by Charles Cockerell (1788 - 1863) from 1825 as a private 'scrapbook' containing measured drawings, notes and studies relating to the architecture of public buildings. Amongst the album's contents were a group of studies of churches, palaces, public and domestic buildings by (or which were then believed to be by) Wren that he used to develop, 'A Tribute to Sir Christopher Wren'.

The album attests to Cockerell's profound admiration of Wren's architecture and a sympathy for English Baroque architecture which is rare for the period. Charles Cockerell (1788 - 1863) had an intimate knowledge of Wren's buildings - he was for many years Surveyor to the Fabric of St Paul's Cathedral - and he borrowed and used in his own designs architectural features from the Wren buildings he studied. The drawings are significant as fine examples of Cockerell's draughtsmanship and as a demonstration of his pioneering appreciation of Wren's architecture. They are also a valuable topographical record of the buildings which they depict, many of which - especially the Wren City churches - have been demolished or otherwise altered since Cockerell's day.

This drawing can be found in RIBA Print Room Box 'Exploring Skylines'.

Designs for Sleek Tower (left) and Verandah Tower (right), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Peter Cook
1984
Print
RIBA no. PA579/1
www.RIBApix.com RIBA4060
RIBA Library Drawings Collection

The architect and writer Peter Cook (1936 -) , a founder member of the influential architectural group Archigram, came up with this fantastical design for two towers whilst on a visit to Brisbane. The Sleek Tower follows the principles of the International Style of architecture, with a lack of ornamentation and a balance of symmetry. The Verandah Tower is less elegant and more colourful.  Its many verandas show the influence the local Australian architecture had on Cook.  Cook's intention was for the contrasting, high-rise towers to give Brisbane's skyline more architectural impact.

This drawing can be viewed in the RIBA Prints and Drawings Study Room.

The Professor's Dream
Charles Robert Cockerell
1848
Pencil drawing
RIBA no. DR164/3
www.RIBApix.com
RIBA Library Drawings Collection

This image entitled 'The Professor's Dream'  depicts buildings from cities around the world including St Peter's Basilica, the Taj Mahal, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, Florence Cathedral, Bramante's Tempietto (little temple) in Rome, the Pantheon in Rome, the Pyramids, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Crystal Palace, the Arc de Triomphe and a wide variety of temples, obelisks, columns, spires and domes.

Cockerell (1788-1863) also made a print based on this drawing, 'The Most Famous Buildings in the World', in the 1880s showing a variety of well-known architectural landmarks from across the globe (also see www.RIBApix.com RIBA31368). It includes many of the same buildings with a number of additions including the V&A.

This drawing can be found in RIBA Print Room Box 'Exploring Skylines'.

Sketch of a spire, similar to that of St Margaret Pattens, City of London
Charles Robert Cockerell
About 1838
Pencil drawing
RIBA no. SD/127/15
www.RIBApix.com RIBA35227
RIBA Library Drawings Collection

This drawing was formerly part of an album entitled 'Ichnographia Publica', compiled by Charles Cockerell (1788 - 1863) from 1825 as a private 'scrapbook' containing measured drawings, notes and studies relating to the architecture of public buildings. Amongst the album's contents were a group of studies of churches, palaces, public and domestic buildings by (or which were then believed to be by) Wren that he used to develop, 'A Tribute to Sir Christopher Wren'.

The album attests to Cockerell's profound admiration of Wren's architecture and a sympathy for English Baroque architecture which is rare for the period. Cockerell had an intimate knowledge of Wren's buildings - he was for many years Surveyor to the Fabric of St Paul's Cathedral - and he borrowed and used in his own designs architectural features from the Wren buildings he studied. The drawings are significant as fine examples of Cockerell's draughtsmanship and as a demonstration of his pioneering appreciation of Wren's architecture. They are also a valuable topographical record of the buildings which they depict, many of which - especially the Wren City churches - have been demolished or otherwise altered since Cockerell's day.

This drawing can be found in RIBA Print Room Box 'Exploring Skylines'.

Fleet Street entrance to Middle Temple, City of London: sketched elevation
Charles Robert Cockerell
About 1838
Pencil drawing
www.RIBApix.com RIBA35217
RIBA no. SD/127/19
RIBA Library Drawings Collection

This drawing was formerly part of an album entitled 'Ichnographia Publica', compiled by Charles Cockerell (1788 - 1863) from 1825 as a private 'scrapbook' containing measured drawings, notes and studies relating to the architecture of public buildings. Amongst the album's contents were a group of studies of churches, palaces, public and domestic buildings by (or which were then believed to be by) Wren that he used to develop, 'A Tribute to Sir Christopher Wren'.

The album attests to Cockerell's profound admiration of Wren's architecture and a sympathy for English Baroque architecture which is rare for the period. Cockerell had an intimate knowledge of Wren's buildings - he was for many years Surveyor to the Fabric of St Paul's Cathedral - and he borrowed and used in his own designs architectural features from the Wren buildings he studied. The drawings are significant as fine examples of Cockerell's draughtsmanship and as a demonstration of his pioneering appreciation of Wren's architecture. They are also a valuable topographical record of the buildings which they depict, many of which - especially the Wren City churches - have been demolished or otherwise altered since Cockerell's day.

This drawing can be found in RIBA Print Room Box 'Exploring Skylines'.

Design for St Stephen Walbrook, City of London: transverse section and detail of the internal vaulting to a smaller scale
Sir Christopher Wren
About 1679
Drawing
RIBA no. SC2/9 (2)
www.RIBApix.com RIBA35336
RIBA Library Drawings Collection

Sir Christopher Wren's churches were intended to be what he called 'auditories', in which everyone present could see, hear and feel themselves part of the congregation. A well-lit interior was imperative, with the minimum of obstruction from internal supports. The geometry of St. Stephen's church is perfectly rectangular. The window arches are the main sources of light. The original church was destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666. Wren was commissioned to design the new church amongst other projects. Once again the church was badly damaged during the bombing of the Second World War. The steeple was not built until 1713 -1717. Walbrook is named after the Walbrook River, the original water source which attracted people to the area during Roman times.

Wren (1632-1723) was one of the world's greatest architects and his buildings dominated London's skyline from 1660 until the mid 1900s. He designed the new St. Paul's Cathedral and the building of over fifty new churches following the Great Fire of London,  Chelsea Hospital and Greenwich Hospital, Trinity College Library at Cambridge, and he was to improve and extend Hampton Court. After the Rebuilding Act of 1670, he was responsible for the Monument to the Great Fire of London.

This drawing can be found in RIBA Print Room Box 'Exploring Skylines'.

Panorama of London from the North end of Waterloo bridge, looking south, showing St Paul's Cathedral, Blackfriars Bridge, Tower Bridge, South Bank, Hungerford Bridge, Houses of Parliament and Cleopatra's Needle
Henry William Brewer
1898
Pen and ink drawing with gouache
RIBA no. DR19/6
www.RIBApix.com RIBA41481

RIBA Library Drawings Collection.

Henry Brewer (1836-1903) was probably a draughtsman or artist rather than an architect. There is no further information available either about him or this drawing.

This drawing can be viewed in the RIBA Prints and Drawings Study Room.

Designs for Post-War London, St Paul's
Charles Holden and William Holford
1945-55
Pencil drawing
RIBA no. DR18/3
www.RIBApix.com RIBA41484
RIBA Library Drawings Collection

Holden (1875-1960) and Holford (1907-1975) were asked to create a plan for the rebuilding of the City of London following the bombing of World War Two. They carried out a survey of the City in which every building was listed and its area recorded before drawing up their plan for reconstruction and improvement of the area. Their main intention was to achieve a balance between accommodation space and circulation space and the employment of a variety of architectural styles was encouraged except in the vicinity of historic monuments like St Paul's, 'where some form of setting has to be provided that is not entirely out of character with the design of the building'. The needs of office workers and pedestrians were taken into particular account, with parks, walks and traffic system, to create a new east-west route and to tidy up circulation. They envisaged correctly the growth in car ownership and, although they thought it unwise to encourage people to come to the City by car, attempted to cater for it by providing underground car parks, traffic lights and roundabouts.

Special consideration was of course given to St Paul's and the City's other historic buildings. The views of the Cathedral opened up by bombing to the south-east were to be retained and a processional way leading from steps on the river to the south transept was suggested.

Holden and Holford are largely responsible for the layout and appearance of the City today, and the effect of new buildings on the view of St Paul's is still very much a consideration in planning decisions.

Charles Holden is best known for his designs for stations for the London Underground. William Holford was heavily involved with the development of post- was largely responsible for drafting the Town and Country Planning Act 1947.

This drawing can be viewed in the RIBA Prints and Drawings Study Room.

A Tribute to Sir Christopher Wren
Charles Robert Cockerell
about 1838
Drawing, watercolour and pencil
RIBA Library Drawings Collection
www.RIBApix.com

This important drawing of an imaginary skyline by Charles Robert Cockerell (1788 - 1863) brings together all the major buildings that in the early 19th century were believed to be by Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723) into one vast urban landscape.  It was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1838. Cockerell was one of the finest British architectural draughtsmen of his time and a leading figure in Victorian architecture. He was president of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1860. Cockerell had an intimate knowledge of Wren's buildings - he was for many years Surveyor to the Fabric of St Paul's Cathedral - and he borrowed and used in his own designs architectural features from the Wren buildings he studied.

This composition accurately depicts over 55 buildings; including 33 London churches, palaces, colleges, hospitals and monuments (including the Monument to the Fire of London) which were built following the Great Fire of London, as well as some buildings from outside London including Chichester Cathedral, Winchester Palace and All Souls Oxford. Most of Wren's work was constructed in silvery-grey Portland stone, but the combination of red brick and stone dressings shown in many buildings here became the hallmark of late 17th century English Baroque architecture. The result was that many buildings not by Wren were attributed to him.

Wren was the first architect to dramatically influence London's skyline. His Classical design for London's St Paul's Cathedral had, and still has, a considerable impact on London's skyline. Following the Great Fire of London in 1666 a surge of rebuilding occurred using fireproof materials such brick and stone, combined with more rigorous planning guidelines. This led to the creation of 52 churches built under Wren's design, including St Paul's Cathedral. The shapes and forms of church spires as well as the colossal dome belonging to his greatest work, St Paul's Cathedral, soon dominated the city skyline.

'If you seek his monument, look around.'
Commemorative plaque marking Sir Christopher Wren's burial site in
St Paul's Cathedral, London

This drawing can be viewed in the RIBA Prints and Drawings Study Room.

Design for a suggested development of multi-storey buildings surrounding St Paul's Cathedral, London, with the River Thames in the foreground.
Joseph Emberton
1946
Pencil drawing
RIBA no. PA233/2
www.RIBApix.com RIBA20381
RIBA Library Drawings Collection

Emberton (1889-1956) was an influential pioneer of modern architecture in Britain during the 1930's and 1940's.  He was strongly in favour of high-rise buildings and innovative materials such as concrete and stainless steel. Here, he has envisioned a new development of high office buildings dwarfing St Paul's Cathedral.  Had it gone ahead, this scheme would have dramatically altered London's skyline and would not have been in keeping with Holden and Holford's more sympathetic plan for the area.

This drawing can be found in RIBA Print Room Box 'Exploring Skylines'.