John Simpson Architects

John Simpson is one of the leading architects in Europe and America who have returned in recent decades to the classical language of architecture, with all its richness, subtlety, and historic resonances. His public and private works show how this language lends itself with particular ease to the incorporation of the latest developments in technolo... gy. Describing a wide range of work from furniture design to town-planning, this beautifully illustrated book gives pride of place to his principal commission so far, the new Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace. This major new centre for the visual arts in London was opened by Her Majesty The Queen in May 2002 as part of the celebrations of her Golden Jubilee. All in a sparklingly inventive and beautifully crafted classical language, the new additions include a Greek Doric entrance portico and entrance hall, with sculptured friezes and free-standing sculpture by Alexander Stoddart. A richly polychromatic staircase hall leads up to three large new galleries, a number of smaller galleries, and a lecture hall. Behind the scenes, Simpson has completely remodelled the Royal Kitchen, staff quarters, and Trades Yard. John Simpson has also played a key role in the revival of traditional urbanism, as in his design for Paternoster Square next to St Paul's Cathedral, and, most recently in the ambitious Market Hall he has built at the Prince of Wales's new town of Poundbury, Dorset. Other chapters cover his interiors at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, a development inspired by the work of Soane and Cockerell, and Ashfold House, Sussex, which also takes Soanean themes in new directions. The authors are both well known architectural historians. Dr Richard John was a Fellow of Merton College, Oxford and is now at the Faculty of the School of Architecture in Miami. Professor David Watkin is a Fellow of Peterhouse and Professor of the History of Architecture at the University of Cambridge. He is also a leading authority on the work of C.R. Cockerell and Sir John Soane, ...Read More