University of Greenwich opens doors of Wren gem to celebrate architecture festival
The University of Greenwich is throwing open the doors of its Greenwich Campus on Sunday, September 21 as part of the capital-wide architecture festival, London Open House. University staff will be leading guided tours inside three of the key buildings of Sir Christopher Wren’s Old Royal Naval College, as well as the neighbouring Dreadnought Library and Devonport Mausoleum.
In the riverside Queen Anne Court there will be a chance to see the Council boardroom, a grand staircase, restored Portland stone work and an elegant private salon now used for meetings. Moving through the airy first floor rooms, guides will tell the stories of the retired mariners who once lived here. The building was designed and built by three distinguished architects, Wren, Hawksmoor and Ripley, and it is now home to the Business School. The university’s Stephen Lawrence Gallery is also based here.
Across the way lies Queen Mary Court (Ripley and Hawksmoor) where tours will include a stunning stone cantilever stairway, attractive barrel-vaulted stone ceilings and original timber panelling. Computing & Mathematical Sciences and Law are now taught here and there are excellent research facilities.
State-of-the-art lecture theatres, a multimedia studio and an unusual exhibition of early computers will be open in the grand baroque setting of King William Court, laid out by Wren from 1698 and completed by Hawksmoor and Vanbrugh. Today, it provides office and teaching space for the university’s School of Humanities & Social Sciences. A glass-sided lift affords spectacular views through original windows.
Also open will be the former Dreadnought Seamen’s Hospital, where the University of Greenwich has created a modern library and computing centre in the near-derelict shell of a Grade II listed building, James ‘Athenian’ Stuart’s Infirmary (1764-8). Carefully restored period details now contrast with stunning contemporary steel and glass roof which encloses the courtyard. Original ward endowment plaques are on display, along with 18th century iron and glass lanterns. Members of the public will also be able to view the neo-classical Devonport Mausoleum, in the grounds of the Devonport House Hall of Residence and Conference Centre, which dates from 1749. This contains the remains of Sir Thomas Hardy, Nelson's Flag Captain on Victory at Trafalgar and Admiral Lord Hood.
The whole of Sir Christopher Wren’s Old Royal Naval College will be open to the public, thanks to a partnership between the University of Greenwich, Trinity College of Music (which will be opening King Charles Court) and Greenwich Foundation (which will be opening the Chapel, the Painted Hall and the grounds). A £50 million programme of restoration has transformed this part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site with additional support from Heritage Lottery Fund and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
Alison Lawrence, Tour Guide Organiser, says: "We’re all really looking forward to the day. The university is privileged to occupy such magnificent buildings and it’s wonderful to be able to open them up for other people to enjoy.”
Tours start at information point on Lower Grand Square, Old Royal Naval College, Park Row SE10 9LS and run between 11am and 4.30pm on Sunday, September 21. Entry is free.
For more information please contact:
Sarah Sharp
Public Relations, Press Assistant
University of Greenwich
0208 331 9420
S.R.M.Sharp@gre.ac.uk