Domed Reading Room, British Museum
Sydney Smirke (1798-1877) and Alfred Stevens (1818-1875)
London
Built 1857

Model, about 1853
Decoration by Alfred Stevens (unexecuted)
Wood, cardboard and plaster
Museum no. 349-1890

Domes are structurally efficient because each part supports every other part and can span a large area economically. The dome of the reading room at the British Museum is 42 metres in diameter. Its pioneering construction used cast iron ribs supported on iron piers, with a brick infill.