Bedford Square Bloomsbury, Georgian Architecture London, Historic English Buildings Photos
Bedford Square, Bloomsbury
Georgian Architecture, London: 18th Century Buildings in the English Capital
post updated 18 June 2021 ; 7 Nov 2012
Bedford Square London
Bedford Square
Dates built: 1775-83
One of the best preserved set pieces of Georgian architecture in London
photo © Adrian Welch
It takes its name from the main title of the Russell family, the Dukes of Bedford, who were the main landlords in Bloomsbury
The central garden is private, typical for London
Most of the buildings at Bedford Square are faced with London stock brick, type of handmade brick which was used for the majority of building work in London and Southeast England until the growth in the use of machine-made bricks in the early 20th century. Its distinctive yellow colour and soft appearance come from the yellow local clay from which the bricks were made. London Stocks are still made in comparatively small quantities in traditional brickworks, mainly in Kent and Sussex. Most are now discoloured grey/brown by pollution.
photo © Adrian Welch
One of the key architectural aspects of this formal landscaped space is the AA on the west side:
Architectural Association – AA, 36 Bedford Square entry, incl 32-39, ie 7 buildings in a line.
– oldest independent school in the UK
– one of the most prestigious and competitive schools of architecture in the world
– The Architectural Association founded in 1847
– In 1917, it moved to its current premises in this square
– former students – Hadid, Holl, Chipperfield, Hopkins, Grimshaw, Alsop, Pawson
– 68,000 sqft campus behind the frontages
Also visible (if you are in the south west corner of the square) is the wonderful Imagination Building by architect Ron Herron, one block to the north on Store Street, next to the Building Centre.
photos © Adrian Welch
Location: Bloomsbury district, Borough of Camden, London, England, UK
London Buildings
Contemporary London Building Designs
London Architecture Links – chronological list
London Architecture Tours by e-architect
AA Summer Pavilion in Bedford Square
image from AA
London Architecture : news + key projects
Bedford Square Buildings – Context
Key Buildings close by include:
British Museum
Date built: 1831
Design:Sir Robert Smirke
photo © Adrian Welch
British Museum Building
Great Court
Date built: 2001
Design: Foster + Partners
This is one of the best new architectural interventions in the area, well worth a visit, easily located on axis beyond the neoclassical frontage of the BM.
Central St Giles
Date built: 2010
Design: Renzo Piano Building Workshop
photo © Nick Weall
Central Saint Giles
Congress House
Date built: 1958
Design: David du Roi Aberdeen
photos © Adrian Welch
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