The Building Centre facts for kids
The Building Centre is a special place in central London. It's a building where people can hold events and learn about new ideas in how we design and build things. This includes everything from houses to parks and cities! A charity called the Built Environment Trust runs it. This trust started in 2015, taking over from an older charity that began in 1963.
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How the Building Centre Started
The Building Centre first opened its doors on September 7, 1932. It began as a small office focused on building materials for the Architectural Association. This group helps people learn about architecture.
The first person in charge was Frank Yerbury. He was a photographer who took pictures of buildings. The first chairman, who led the group, was Maurice Webb. The centre's first home was at 158 New Bond Street in London.
Where the Building Centre Has Been
The Building Centre stayed on New Bond Street until May 12, 1941. Sadly, its building was destroyed during The Blitz, which was a time when London was bombed during World War II.
After that, the centre moved to Conduit Street. It stayed there until 1951. Then, it moved to its current home on Store Street. The building on Store Street was originally a showroom for Daimler cars. It was designed by architects Taperell and Haase. The building is made of strong concrete and covered with Portland stone, a type of white limestone. When the Building Centre moved in, a special wall painting called a sgraffito mural was added by Augustus Lunn. This mural was in an outdoor area, but it's now hidden or gone.
Important People at the Building Centre
Many important people have helped lead the Building Centre over the years. Here are a few:
- Sir Giles Gilbert Scott was the President from 1940 to 1959.
- Sir Basil Spence was the President from 1960 to 1968.
- Sir Frederick Gibberd was the President in 1969.
- Sir Alfred Hurst was the Chairman from 1940 to 1962.
Groups Working at the Building Centre
Several important groups that work on building and design have offices at the Building Centre. These include:
- The Built Environment Trust, which runs the centre.
- The Construction Industry Council, which represents different parts of the building industry.
- The Construction Products Association, which helps companies that make building materials.
- The UK Green Building Council, which works to make buildings more environmentally friendly.
What You Can Do There Now
The Building Centre has many spaces that people can rent for events. These include:
- Galleries where you can see interesting displays.
- Rooms for meetings and talks.
- Areas for photography exhibitions.
You can visit the galleries on the ground floor and lower ground floor for free! There's also a cafe open to everyone. It offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free food options. You can sit inside or outside.
Past Exhibitions at the Building Centre
The Building Centre has hosted many interesting exhibitions over the years. Here are some early examples:
- 1933 - A competition about designing three-bedroom cottages.
- 1936 - An exhibition showing different inn signs.
- 1936 - An exhibition highlighting the work of women in architecture.
- 1940 - An exhibition about collecting metal railings for scrap during the war.
