Imagine Hitler winning the Battle of Britain. The Nazis planned to use Senate House as their UK headquarters. They would select “ethically pure” Britons to support their “Political Peace”. Thankfully, that never happened. Now, let’s delve into the real story of this impressive building known as Senate House.
Senate House stands as the administrative heart of the University of London. It is located in Bloomsbury, just north of the British Museum. This Art Deco masterpiece was built between 1932 and 1937. Charles Holden designed it. He envisioned a grand scheme for the university.
Holden’s design was ambitious. It was meant to cover the entire site. The structure would stretch from Montague Place to Torrington Street. It featured a central spine with wings and courtyards. Two towers were planned. Senate House was the taller of the two. Lack of funds scaled back the project. Only Senate House and its library were completed.
William Beveridge played a key role. As vice-chancellor, he supported the Bloomsbury move. He saw the university as a global hub. Beveridge wanted a unique symbol for London. It should not imitate older universities. He wanted Senate House to enrich London. It should be an academic island in the city.
King George V laid the foundation stone in 1933. Staff began moving in 1936. Tragedy struck during construction. Sir Edwin Deller, the Principal, died after an accident. A skip fell on him during an inspection.
During World War II, Senate House became the Ministry of Information. This inspired fiction. Graham Greene’s “The Ministry of Fear” and George Orwell’s “Nineteen Eighty-Four” drew inspiration from the building. Orwell’s wife Eileen worked there. She was in the Censorship Department.
Senate House Library occupies floors four to 18. It holds about three million volumes. That includes many old books printed before 1851. The library has many resources. These include the Goldsmiths’ Library of Economic Literature. It also holds over 170,000 theses.
The building’s architecture has sparked debate. Some called it a “vast bulk”. Others praised its dignity. Erich Mendelsohn considered it the finest building in London. Nikolaus Pevsner found its style undecided. Some critics even saw it as Stalinist due to its scale.
Senate House is a popular filming location. Its imposing architecture lends itself to official buildings. Films like “Batman Begins” and “No Time to Die” have used it. It also appeared in television shows. “Jeeves and Wooster” and “Killing Eve” are among them.
In 2006, a major refurbishment modernized Senate House. It became a venue for conferences and events. London Fashion Week is among them. Senate House stands as a landmark. It is a Grade II listed building. It continues to house the University of London’s central bodies. It also houses its extensive library. Senate House remains a symbol of learning in the heart of London.