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Wilkins Building, University College London

Description

The Main Building at University College London includes the Octagon, Quad, Cloisters, Main Library, Flaxman Gallery, and the Wilkins Building. The Octagon Building was designed by the Architect William Wilkins who also designed the National Gallery. The original plans by Wilkins called for a U-shaped enclosure around the quad. Funds, however, ran out in 1829 with only the portico and dome finished. Wilkins' original plans were not completed until the 20th century: The Main Building was finally finished in 1985, 158 years since the foundations were laid, with a formal opening ceremony by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

Constructed, 1827

Inaugurated, 1985

Addition, 2012

Factoids

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1985- The main building opened with a formal opening ceremony by Queen Elizabeth II.

1954- The movie 'Doctor in the House' uses the Front Quad and Portico as the entrance to "St Swithin's Hospital".

1959- The movie 'The 39 Steps' uses the Front Quad and Wilkins Building as the "St John's Wood Hospital".

Map View

Wilkins Building

University College London

Nearby

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3506.66 miles

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In 1827, a year after the founding of UCL, construction of the main building began on the site of the old Carmarthen Square.

The Octagon Building is a term used for the whole of the main building, but more commonly for a central part of it.

. At the centrepiece of the building is an ornate dome, which is visible throughout the immediate area.

The Octagon was designed by the Architect William Wilkins, who also designed the National Gallery.

The original plans by Wilkins called for a U-shaped enclosure around the quad. Funds, however, ran out in 1829 with only the portico and dome finished.

The Main Building was finally finished in 1985, 158 years since the foundations were laid, with a formal opening ceremony by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

Facing Gower Street, the Front Quadrangle, abbrievated as the "Quad", is an enclosed square of paths, grass and a few disabled car parking bays.

There are a large number of benches as well as two decommissioned astronomy observatories.

The enclosed north and south cloisters connect the Octagon dome to the north and south wings of the quad respectively.

To the north of the north cloisters is the Housman Room, which is a staff common room.

The Main Library contains UCL's collections relating to arts and humanities, history, economics, public policy and law.

The Flaxman Gallery, a collection of sculptures and paintings by artist John Flaxman, is located inside the Main Library in the Octagon Building under UCL's central dome.

The Wilkins Terrace was inaugurated in 2012 as an extension to the main building.

Student center

Wilkins Terrace is a multi-functional open terrace built over a once cluttered service yard.

Cruciform Building

View of the cruciform building from the Wilkins building

Neo-classical style of architecture

The neoclassical style is a fitting emblem for a global university founded on the principles of democratic reform and egalitarianism.

Services within the building include the Gustav Tuck Lecture Theatre, Jeremy Bentham Room, old refectory and the UCL Museum.

The building is connected to the Bernard Katz Building, Kathleen Lonsdale Building, North Wing and South Wing.

The lobby connecting the north cloister and the south cloister

The lobby are publicly accessible through temporary exhibitions and displays across the university campus.

Under UCL's dome in the library is The Flaxman Gallery, the pinnacle of a vast collection of artworks by Flaxman, showcasing the artist's plaster models in a unique architectural setting.

On the other hand, the high ceiling of the dome makes a wonderful canopy for the Flaxman Gallery.

The main attraction for the public is the sprawling library, which houses tomes on everything from ancient history to law.

The Main Library takes up most of the first and second floors

Wilkins's work "anticipates the gentrified social and academic values which elevated the status of architecture to that of a profession within the Victorian period".

Detailed design and technical coordination for the refurbishment and installation of a new glass structural opening to the Wilkins Building Oculus, designed by Burwell Deakins Architects.

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