New Vauxhall, Southwark and Lambeth Bridges, By Benny O'Looney(RECORDING)

This is a recording of a talk called New Vauxhall, Southwark and Lambeth Bridges which was recorded in 2021.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries eight of central London’s bridges were rebuilt to accommodate the expansion of traffic, movement, and commerce in Europe’s largest city. This talk tells the story of three of these new bridges built in the first decades of the 20th century. Pressure from the public & architectural community, and a determination not to be outdone by Paris ensured that three of Britain’s leading Edwardian architects, Richard Norman Shaw, Sir Ernest George and Sir Reginald Blomfield were commissioned to help design these structures.

These new bridges combined the latest techniques of steel & reinforced concrete construction with architectural panache. They can be celebrated as some of the last achievements of the Beaux Arts improvements of the public realm in the Imperial Capital.

Benedict O’Looney runs an architecture practice in south London, working on new build and conservation projects, particularly in Southwark, including the renovation of the Grade ll listed Peckham Rye Station for Network Rail and Southwark Council. Other recent work includes the new Purley Mosque, a new Women’s and Children’s Wing for the Croydon Mosque, the restoration of the Grade l listed Victorian Royal Bell Hotel in Bromley, and the restoration & re-opening of four railway arches at Findlater’s Corner, London Bridge Station for the Arches Company.

Since obtaining his Master of Architecture degree from Yale University, Benedict worked with Grimshaw and Alsop Architects, where his interest in new architecture in historic settings developed. He taught architecture history and sketching for 11 years at the Architectural Association, the Kent School of Architecture, the Canterbury School of Architecture, and New York University’s London program. He is chairman of Southwark’s Conservation Areas Advisory Group, on the Victorian Society’s Southern Building Committee and a past president of the London Sketch Club.

After booking a ticket, you will be given access to the recording of the event. Please ignore the event date in the listings.

This event helps raise funds for The Victorian Society - the only charity dedicated to fighting for our Victorian and Edwardian heritage. Join us today and safeguard our unique cultural heritage for future generations! For further information, click here.

The Victorian Society is an IHBC recognised CPD provider​.

Image: Vauxhall Bridge, By PAUL FARMER, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14490429