The Learned Societies, Forecourt Buildings To Burlington House

Forecourt buildings to Burlington House, 1867–1873

These forecourt buildings were designed by Robert Richardson Banks and Charles Barry (with Edward Middleton Barry) for the Learned Societies. Built in ashlar with rusticated stonework at ground floor level, brick to the rear, and slate roofs, they are executed in the grand Italianate manner inspired by Burlington House itself. The symmetrical arrangement forms three sides of a quadrangle, with a grand entrance opening onto Piccadilly. The buildings are three storeys high with a four-storey centrepiece and basements throughout.

Piccadilly Elevation

The Piccadilly façade comprises seven bays on each side of a central three-bay entrance. The central entrance and the end bays break forward and are treated similarly. A two-storey bay stands to the right, with an arched entrance to the left. The ground floor has sash windows set in moulded architraves on bracketed cills, beneath cornice hoods supported on scroll brackets, with an enriched frieze and dentil cornice above.

The second storey features an engaged garlanded Ionic order with an enriched frieze and modillion cornice adorned with dolphin gargoyles that break forward over each column. Between the columns are pedimented sashes in moulded architraves with stone balustrades. The end pavilions have a pilaster order with enriched mermaid panels above the windows and garlanded lion mask aprons below, each window surmounted by a cornice hood.

The third storey has sashes in enriched eared architraves set between pilasters with enriched Ionic capitals, beneath a dentil cornice that breaks forward over each pilaster.

The centrepiece features a central arch rising through two storeys with a moulded arch, scrolled keystone, and spandrels containing low-relief reclining figures. Flanking this are pedestrian entrances beneath single-storey arches with vermiculated rusticated voussoirs and mask keystones, fitted with elaborate iron gates.

At the third and fourth storeys are central tripartite sash windows, those at the fourth storey being round-arched. The third-storey windows are set back behind an enriched Ionic screen, while the fourth-storey windows sit beneath a Corinthian-derived arcade. Flanking sashes are similarly treated within shallow pavilions featuring enriched low-relief panels and pilasters at the angles. A balustrade runs along the fourth-storey windows.

The returns have similarly detailed blind arcades. A parapet balustrade runs between stone piers carrying elongated vases.

To the right is the entrance to the Geological Society: a two-storey composition with a vermiculated rusticated arched entrance containing a pair of panelled doors. Above this is a tripartite pedimented balustraded window, with a balustraded parapet featuring an enriched central panel.

To the left is a vermiculated rusticated archway with a plain keystone and a pair of coffered doors. Above this appear the royal arms and the date AD 1873.

Attached iron railings run along a moulded stone parapet wall.

Central Entrance

The central entrance comprises three-bay arcades with low-relief panels to the piers and soffits, and VR insignia to the capitals. The central arch has a coffered barrel vault, with three-bay pedestrian entrances beneath hemispheric domes.

The entrance to the Geological Society (formerly to the Chemical Society) is set back beneath an arch with low-relief panels to the linings. The Linnean Society entrance is set back within a two-bay ashlar-lined corridor. Both societies have oak panelled doors with etched glass bearing their respective insignia.

Entrances to the corridor and main archway have double-leaf panelled oak doors set in stone moulded architraves, leading to the former post office and porter's lodge.

The Quadrangle

The quadrangle follows a symmetrical plan forming the south, east, and west wings of the forecourt, splaying slightly towards the north. The elevations are treated as the Piccadilly elevation but with less enrichment.

Entrance Elevation

The entrance elevation comprises a three-bay, four-storey centrepiece set back from three-bay flanks with one-window returns. The outer angles are enhanced by paired Ionic pilasters at the second and third storeys, terminating in paired turret-like shafts. Pedestrian archways have vermiculated rusticated voussoirs and mask keystones. The central archway is moulded with a scrolled keystone and reclining figures in the spandrels. The centrepiece window details and enriched mouldings match the south elevation, while the outer bays follow the east and west elevations.

East and West Elevations

The east and west elevations comprise 14 bays arranged as 1:3:1:9. The northernmost bays are set back, with the angles treated as pavilions having turret-like paired shafts and pilasters as in the south range. These are treated as the south elevation but with less enrichment.

Opposing entrances to the Society of Antiquaries and Royal Society of Chemistry break forward. The ground floor has vermiculated rustication to round-arched doorways with figure keystones, quadrant upper glazed lights, and panelled oak doors with etched glazed lights. Flanking stone plinths set forward carry iron lamp stands.

The entrance to the Royal Astronomical Society and an opposing doorway are flush with the façade and set in enriched moulded stone doorcases. Entrances to the former Secretaries' accommodation in the northernmost bays are set in moulded architraves. All doors are of oak, most with etched glazed panels bearing the societies' insignia, beneath plain overlights.

Window details follow the south range but with less ornament. Attached iron railings are present, with a bracketed iron lamp at the northernmost bays.

Interiors

Linnean Society

The hall features a three-bay arched screen between pilasters with foliate capitals, set against a cantilevered open-well stone stair with iron balustrade. The first-floor balustrade has foliate scrolls; above, the balustrade comprises candelabra-like shafts. There is a moulded mahogany handrail and curtail, with moulded ceilings throughout.

The meeting room has a pair of moulded oak doorcases with small broken pediments. A central clock with enriched Ionic and foliate mouldings sits above pairs of raised and fielded panelled doors, one pair with etched glass panels. The ceiling is heavily moulded with modillion cornices to panels and pulvinated oak-leaf ribs.

Moveable fittings include the original desk, President's chair, and benches (some from other societies, one original example in the basement).

The library is reached through a domed lobby with a pair of etched glass doors. It is two storeys high, four bays wide, and top-lit. Panelled piers at the lower storey carry a balustraded gallery on three sides. The upper storey features a Corinthian order supporting a flat top-lit ceiling with an enriched modillion cornice. A chimneypiece has scrolled brackets beneath a segmental pediment, a marble mantelpiece, a continuous moulded entablature, and flanking pilasters. A secondary cast-iron and timber gallery serves the upper storey.

The library annexe has a three-bay Corinthian screen, modillion cornice, and ceiling panels with vents to the ribs.

Royal Astronomical Society

An open-well cantilevered stone stair has candelabra-like iron balusters, with a moulded mahogany handrail and curtail. The pilastered hall features a two-bay arcade on embellished columns with panelled linings and the Society's insignia in the spandrels. Moulded ceilings include a shallow dome to the entrance hall. Paired oak lobby doors have etched glass panels carrying the Society's insignia.

The Council Room has a tall coved ceiling with an enriched cornice over a dentil cornice, panelled dado, red marble chimneypiece, and insignia on the radiator covers.

The Meeting Room is now subdivided with suspended ceilings.

The Herschel Room has a coved ceiling with grille vents to the coving, plain mouldings, and a pair of fielded panelled doors.

The library is two storeys and top-lit, with a gallery of timber on iron brackets and iron balustrade. Stairs were added around 1900. The lozenge-panelled ceiling has moulded ribs and rosettes. There is a marble chimneypiece with iron grate. The upper floor has simple marble chimneypieces with iron grates.

Society of Antiquaries

The entrance hall comprises three bays lined with marbled Ionic pilasters and pairs of marbled Ionic columns in antis. The ceiling is richly moulded with modillion cornices and moulded panels. Opposing doorways and recesses sit beneath round arches with panelled lunettes and linings, with pairs of raised and fielded panelled doors.

The rear stair hall is treated as the front, with arches supported on four marbled Ionic columns. A cantilevered open-well stone stair has an iron balustrade with each panel featuring a lyre motif, moulded mahogany handrail, and modillion cornice.

The Meeting Room measures 3 × 3 bays and has enriched Ionic paired pilasters, a deep modillion cornice, and a moulded ceiling with a large central ring and flanking spirals. Oak-leaf moulded ribs and embellished reeded soffits are present, along with a marble chimneypiece with pedimented overmantel.

The former Secretary's Dining Room has a modillion cornice and marble chimneypiece with polychrome tiled linings and cast-iron fire.

The library is two storeys, top-lit, and measures 5 × 3 bays. Pairs of panelled piers at the lower storey have a continuous dentil cornice, supporting a balustraded gallery on three sides. The upper storey features a Corinthian order of paired columns supporting a top-lit flat roof, with engaged columns to the south elevation and pilasters at the angles. The ceiling has a modillion cornice with oak-leaf moulded ribs and pendant gasoliers with daisy sprays. Chimneypieces are obscured. A secondary timber and cast-iron gallery serves the upper storey.

The inner library, formerly the Secretary's Drawing Room, has a dentil cornice, acanthus-moulded ceiling panel, and marble chimneypiece with polychrome tiled linings.

The Secretary's accommodation at rear mezzanine level is reached by a spiral stone stair with moulded iron balusters and mahogany handrail. Marble chimneypieces are mostly round-headed, except that to the Fellows' Room, which also has polychrome tile linings.

Ground-floor chandeliers and the Meeting Room clock formerly came from Somerset House.

Royal Society of Chemistry

The pilaster-lined entrance hall has a two-bay screen to the rear hall with engaged marbled columns and moulded ceilings. A barrel-vaulted enclosed stair has panelled linings with half-landings beneath hemispheric domes.

The Meeting Room is a four-bay, flat-roofed, aisled chamber with Ionic columns. Most flanking pilasters remain intact. The Royal Society insignia appears in the frieze, with deep moulded ribs to the ceiling.

The ante-room has a screen of paired Ionic columns with flanking pilasters intact and a richly moulded ceiling with a central rondel and embellished ribs and spandrels. Moulded doorcases each contain a pair of raised and fielded panelled doors.

A five-bay first-floor corridor sits beneath hemispheric vaults with panelled linings.

The library, formerly two storeys, is now one and a half, with a suspended ceiling inserted in the 1960s. It measures 5 × 3 bays. The lower storey has panelled piers supporting a balustraded gallery. The upper storey colonnade and engaged columns are interrupted by the inserted ceiling.

The ante-room comprises three bays with paired Corinthian-derived pilasters, deep moulded beams with enriched soffits, and enriched oak-leaf ceiling mouldings.

The Council Room has a three-bay Corinthian screen, engaged Corinthian columns to the walls, and pilasters to the window bays. A pulvinated oak-leaf frieze, dentil cornice, and ceiling rondel with flanking spirals feature enriched moulded ribs. Doorways on three elevations have richly moulded architraves beneath deep canopies on brackets, with raised and fielded panelled doors.

The Hinshelwood Room comprises two bays, one set forward, with a coved ceiling featuring moulded soffits.

The Priestley Room has three bays with deep moulded ceiling ribs, boxed cornices, and paired panelled doors in plain moulded architraves.

Refurbishment took place from July 2000.

Geological Society

The Piccadilly entrance comprises a three-bay entrance hall with engaged columns between arched recesses featuring scroll keystones. The stair hall has an open-well stone stair, part cantilevered, with an iron balustrade of scrolled lyre panels that changes at the first floor to candelabra-like shafts, with a moulded handrail and curtail. Ceilings have enriched panels and lined soffits.

The ground floor has moulded arches to doorways, most with glazed fanlights and pairs of panelled doors, most with etched glazed panels.

The library features Corinthian pilasters set forward in pairs to the centre bay to form a screen-like division, with enriched reeded soffits and ceiling beams. There is a marble and limestone chimneypiece.

The Meeting Room has been completely refurbished.

The west stair is an open-well stone stair with candelabra-like iron shafts, moulded mahogany handrail, and enriched plaster ceiling.

The first floor has Ionic pilasters to the landing. Doorcases have richly moulded architraves beneath deep canopies on brackets, each with a pair of fielded panelled doors.

The Council Room comprises three bays with a modillion cornice, marble chimneypiece, and iron grate with semicircular covers. Doorcases have eared architraves.

The library, formerly the museum, is two storeys, top-lit, and five bays wide. The lower storey has Doric columns supporting a balustraded gallery on four sides. The upper storey features a Corinthian order supporting a flat largely glazed roof with grilles at the angles. A secondary upper-storey timber and iron gallery is present.

The Fellows' Drawing Room has small-panelled walls articulated by slender pilasters, a moulded plaster ceiling, and marble chimneypiece with iron grate.

Other enriched interiors were not inspected.