General Buildings, Aldwych
Subscribe now to instantly view this image
Subscribe to the Architects’ Journal (AJ) for instant access to the AJ Buildings Library, an online database of nearly 2,000 exemplar buildings in photographs, plans, elevations and details.
Already a subscriber? Sign in
General buildings Aldwych
Architectural Review Download Original
Curved fronted commercial building with steel frame construction for the General Accident, Fire and Life Assurance Co Ltd
The facade is of Portland stone with granite on the lower portion, with sculptural details by Albert Hodge, the caps to the granite columns are of black marble. The building has a steel frame on a raft of reinforced concrete and is fire-resistant throughout. The building exhibits a happy association between architecture and sculpture.
Access to the building is gained by the central entrance only. The entrance lobby is paved with Sicilian marble which leads to the main staircase on the right, and the fire resisting porch to the corporation offices on the left.
Passing through this porch, the corporation's main vestibule is reached. The vestibule is lighted by a dome of stained glass, constructed in steel and brass with antique hand-finished ribs.
On the right is the general office and to the left are private rooms occupied by the various managers. The rest of the building is given over to private rooms, a board room, stationary departments, private safes and telephone exchanges.
Data
- Completed: 1911
- Sector: Office
- Tender date: 1909
- Address: 46 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4HN, United Kingdom
Materials 
Granite, Marble, Portland stone, Reinforced concrete, Slate, Steel, Steel frame
Professional Team
- Architect: J. J. Burnet
- Project architect: John James Burnet
- Client: General Accident, Fire and Life Assurance corporation
- Main contractor: Kerridge and Shaw
Suppliers
- Marble/Portland stone: F.J. Barnes
- Glazed bricks: Farnley Iron Co.
- Tiles: Pilkington
