SOMERSET HOUSE

Undergraduate Degree Course in Architecture Construction Conservation - 2nd year (2016-2017)

Course: History of Architecture

Professor: Marco Pogacnik 

Work Group: Chiara Meneghello

Somerset House was built by William Chambers in the late 18th century after the demolition of the old parts of the building designed by Inigo Jones. He had two limitations: keep the plan of the old Strand Front and keep open Dutchy Lane that gave access to the river gate. In the tradition of Inigo Jones he turned to the permutation of courtyard plans to solve the oroblems of accomodation. The Strand front is a monument to John Webb's Jonesian New Gallery, the first home of the Royal Academy. It has nine bays of one-and-a-half- storeys over an arcade, three-quarter columns and the ornamentation is spelled out in contemporary neo-classical terms.

It also pays hommage to Palladio, Vignola, Salvi; in fact the attic, fronted by two statues and surnounted by a coat-of-arms, is taken from Salvi's Trevi Fountain, measured by Chambers. 

The vestibule that leads to the courtyard from the Strand is a triple-arched entry that opens to a play of cross-vaults and coupled Doric columns. Entering the courtyard, the noise of the city is left behind to leave space for a more quiet place. 

To carry out this project I researched old drawings and books that helped me trace the history of this complex, and with the help of photographs I put together the elevations and the section of the vestibule. I also found some historical maps of London that helped me understand the relationship between the river and the city through the building.