Is this University Stone just a stone? No. It is a silent witness to London’s evolving identity. Pennethorne designed the building to house the offices of the University of London. It was in its early years. The University operated largely as an examining board.
The University Stone’s story goes back to 1870. Queen Victoria herself opened the building in May. It served its original purpose until 1899. After that, the University moved to the Imperial Institute building. This was in South Kensington.
Since then, 6 Burlington Gardens has been occupied by several institutions. Most notably, it housed the Museum of Mankind. A fire damaged it in August 2006. The Royal Academy is now redeveloping it. It will become exhibition space and have other functions. At the west side, you can find the entrance to the Royal Academy Schools.
Pennethorne worked under pressure. He faced constraints of time space and budget. Debate about the design caused changes. These went on even after the building had started. This reflects the Battle of the Styles. Pennethorne had to veer between the Classic the Gothic and the Modern.
A particular issue was how far the building’s appearance should harmonize with the Royal Academy itself. A. J. Beresford Hope was a politician and architectural pundit. He pointed out that the only way to see both buildings together was to go up in a balloon. Space was also an issue. There was no angle to fully appreciate the new structure’s Italianate façade. Still, the completed work was admired. People liked the liberal use of sculpture. The design expressed the simple and convenient plan.
The Survey of London provides a detailed history of the building. It covers its original purpose sculptural program and reception. Pennethorne designed it in a refined style of Palladian architecture. This was the last of the architect’s works. It was admired for its liberal use of sculpture. The facade expressed the simple plan. The design reflects the architect’s resourcefulness. This is because stylistic changes happened up to and beyond the start of construction.
Reviews were generally favorable. However people regretted that the building’s position didn’t allow a good view. The Builder thought the details lacked truthfulness in construction. But it praised the building’s expression of its purpose.
Unfortunately like the City of London School, 6 Burlington Gardens no longer houses its original organization. Its grand statement of British and European figures now seems ironic. It shows the loss of belief in canons and the subservient role of education.
Two figures distinguish it from Oxford and Cambridge. They are Bentham and Hume. Both were notorious atheists. They would hardly have fit in universities founded to produce Anglican clergy. Bentham founded Utilitarianism and Philosophical Radicalism. He would also have been out of place in Oxbridge.
Joseph Durham created four seated figures. They portray Newton Bentham Milton and Harvey. They represent Science Law Arts and Medicine. On the central balustrade are representatives of ancient culture. Galen Cicero and Aristotle are there. Plato Archimedes and Justinian are also present. On the east wing are six illustrious foreigners. They are Leibnitz Cuvier and Linnaeus.
Today, the University Stone stands. It is a reminder of the University of London’s history. It symbolizes architectural debates and the changing role of education. Take a moment to appreciate this stone. It is more than just a stone. It is a piece of London’s story.