News

26/02/16

26 February 2016

The anatomy of a building: Denys Lasdun and the Royal College of Physicians

8 September 2014 - 13 February 2015

Sausage factory or architecture of international standing?

Medical news, 1964

In 1964 Sir Denys Lasdun (1914–2001) – the controversial pioneer of modern British architecture – created a radical new headquarters for the 500 year old Royal College of Physicians in a quiet corner of Regent's Park.

Lasdun's Grade I listed masterpiece holds an ancient library, a 17th-century oak panelled room, a marble portrait gallery and ceremonial hall in cutting-edge concrete and glass.

Whether you love or loathe modern architecture – visit the Royal College of Physicians this autumn to find out more about our astonishing 1960s building – an inspiration to generations of architects and designers.

On display will be rarely-seen original models of Lasdun’s best-known buildings, including the National Theatre and Keeling House alongside contemporary drawings, letters and photographs from private collections and the Lasdun Archive at the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Rowan Moore's Observer review 'Just what the doctors ordered' Sept 2014

Exhibition guest curator Dr Barnabas Calder's Commentary article, Sept 2014

William JR Curtis on Lasdun's 'masterpiece' in The Architectural Review, Sept 2014

You can go and see it, and the building, if it has anything to say, will have to speak for itself

Denys Lasdun, 1964