London's Great Architects

London's Great Architects

Great architectural achievements in London have often been motivated by disasters and misfortunes. Like a phoenix, London rose from the ashes in a frenzy of rebuilding after the Great Fire of 1666 had destroyed four-fifths of the city. Three centuries later, more fire, caused by the German air raids in the Second World War, flattened huge chunks of London. Gray civic buildings and tower blocks rose from the rubble. As a result of these intense civic reconstructions, a few individuals had the opportunity to leave significant marks on the city.

Inigo Jones (1573-1652), one of England's first great architects, was almost single-handedly responsible for the resurgence of classical styles of architecture in the early 17th century. Often directly modeling his work after that of Italian architect Andrea Palladio, Jones was highly influential during his time, as the Palladian style quickly spread throughout England. His most famous works include St. Paul's Church at Covent Garden and the magnificent Banqueting House on Whitehall.

Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723) was given the Herculean task of overseeing the rebuilding of London following the Great Fire. His ambitious plans for a complete redesign of the formerly medieval city, drawn up within a week after the fire, were shot down by landowners, businesspeople, and private citizens intent on a quicker reconstruction. It remains a mystery what effect Wren's membership in the secretive Masonic Lodge had on his efforts. Nevertheless, Wren was responsible for 51 new churches (all in the City) and the amazing St. Paul's Cathedral. Only 23 of the City churches still survive, the finest of which are St. Bride's (Fleet Street), St. Mary Abchurch (Abchurch Yard), and St. Stephen's Walbrook (Walbrook Street). A wander through the deserted streets of the City past the churches is a rewarding way to spend a weekend afternoon.

John Nash (1752-1835) completely redesigned a large section of the city stretching from the Mall northward to Regent's Park and also remodeled Buckingham Palace. He is largely responsible for the look of much of central London; it was his idea to clear Trafalgar Square of its royal stables to make room for the public space as it exists today. For an insight into Nash's vision for London, walk from Buckingham Palace along the Mall, past his white stucco Carlton House Terrace to your left. Walk across Trafalgar Square to Haymarket, where Nash built the Haymarket Theater. Then walk the length of Regent Street, passing on the way All Souls Church, Langham Place, and Park Crescent, which leads into Regent's Park from its southern end.