National Theatre, London
Built 1976-77
Designed by Denys Lasdun & Partners
One of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
See how the colour of the concrete changes with the light. On a cloudy day it’s a muted grey. When the sun shines it transforms to a honey colour - like the stone on Bath’s Georgian houses.
Take in the geometric lines, the texture of the concrete, the layered walkways and the front which could be the bow of a ship.
It was designed by the architect Denys Lasdun based on his idea of “architecture as urban landscape.”
It made John Betjeman “gasp with delight.”
It made Prince Charles declare that it’s “a clever way of building a nuclear power station in the middle of London without anyone objecting.”
