Our tour of the architecture of Dulwich moves back into the heart of the historic village and to the impressive buildings of Dulwich College.
The school has been in existence since 1619 when it was founded by Edward Alleyn, but the majority of the buildings on site are from the mid-nineteenth century. And here I am (right) in front of one of the rather grand Palladian blocks of Dulwich College.
These blocks are the work of Charles Barry Junior (1823-1900), son of the more famous Sir Charles Barry who designed Manchester Art Gallery, the Reform Club, Cliveden and Kingston Lacy. But his dad’s most famous work must be the magnificent and enduring gothic cathedral to politics in of the Houses of Parliament.
This block – and the main central hall of the school – were opened to the boys in 1869 and officially opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales the following year.
Can you see the influence of Barry’s father’s gothic towers of the Palace of Westminster in this building in Dulwich?
It’s more cutesty and suburban, certainly, with its red brick and arched windows, but there’s a definite Westminster-ness to this building.
Barry Junior did pretty well for himself. When he was awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects gold medal in 1877, it cited his ‘new college at Dulwich’ as one of his masterpieces. (Although we should note that he was Chairman of RIBA at the time, and his father had previously been Vice-President and had also won the Gold Medal, 27 years earlier, so perhaps that had to be nice to him!)
But he was a fine architect in his own right. Next time you’re at the Royal Academy, take a look up at the facade of the building on Piccadilly for another piece of Charles Barry Junior. He also created the initial designs for Dulwich Park, just over the road from the College. And St Stephen’s Church on College Road is one of his too.
Look out for Dulwich College buildings
Faces from the past loom down over the boys of Dulwich College
Even if you haven’t been to Dulwich College to see Barry’s magnificent buildings in the flesh, you may have seen the school on tv or even in a movie. Have you seen any of these?
Tomb Raider – Lara Croft is seen in the Great Hall of the college at the start of the film (the auction scene).
Legally Blonde – Reese Witherspoon visited the college to film the graduation scene in the same room.
Are Gallery Film thinking of showing either of these films any time soon, I wonder?
And if you’re a fan of So Solid Crew – I know many Dulwich OnView readers are into garage music – you’ll perhaps be able to spot Charles Barry’s central hall in the background of the album cover for the 2003 album Second Verse.
Wow, a fabulous building, with a long and varied history – and it’s great to know that it’s still inspiring people to be creative today, from movies and album art, to local blogs. Go and have a nosy for yourself!
Images: thanks (with CCL) to rocketlass on flickr and to the hugely fabulous Ingrid.
