Architecture

Powell, Sir Philip. (13 of 20). National Life Story Collection: Architects' Lives

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  • Type

    sound

  • Duration

    0:31:48

  • Shelf mark

    C467/11

  • Subjects

    Architecture

  • Recording date

    1997

  • Recording locations

    NSA

  • Interviewees

    Powell, Sir Philip, 1921-2003 (speaker, male)

  • Interviewers

    Brodie, Louise, (speaker, female)

  • Abstract

    Part 13. Planning of Wolfson College, a difficult concept for a whole community - postgraduates, dons, families. And a different site - not near old buildings and also requiring separate houses with some privacy. The only grand room was the dining room which became the centre of the community. All rooms looking out, except dining room which had good acoustics. Philip Powel [PP] tells very amusing story of dinner at RA and the confusion due to two Lady Powells - recorded in gossip column of the Times. Back to Wolfson College - Wolfson Foundation. Some difficulties with Isaac Wolfson's donations. Designing the Putney swimming pool - the advantage of having a nice site with trees which they used in the design. It was an L-shaped pool with arrangements for high-diving board in the L. Explains why they used folded slab of concrete for roof. Looked at other baths, especially in Germany, before designing. PP explains how they got the job to do Expo 70 in Japan. Had visited Expo 67 in Montreal which gave them ideas and from which they learnt about allowing for crowds, for climate. It also showed examples of other pavilions and the mistakes that were made. Gives reasons for his design, suspending four boxes for exhibitions from masts.

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