Construction of the museum started in 1861, the museum was designed by architects Thomas Newenham Deane and Benjamin Woodward, they were inspired by the writings of critic John Ruskin. He carefully advised them throughout the construction period. The Oxford University Museum of Natural History soon became an architectural legend and it has been hailed as "an experiment for the greatest importance to architecture"
The museums design incorporated the use of British materials; glass and iron. The architects tried to reject the use of stone and brick as the main materials of the High Victorian Gothic style, testing the limits of new materials applied to the same concepts of design.
The museums design incorporated the use of British materials; glass and iron. The architects tried to reject the use of stone and brick as the main materials of the High Victorian Gothic style, testing the limits of new materials applied to the same concepts of design.
Bath stone was used to construct the exterior of the museum, it is a clear example
of all the changes that took place during the Victorian era. Normally the stone was
only used in buildings in Bath, now with the transport system materials were
transported all around the country.
The museums exterior is adorned with floral motifs that are sharply cut forming contrast of light and dark on the Bath stone. The windows are particularly interesting, stone carvers tried to imitate nature and used leaves and flowers to create beautifully arched windows similar to Gothic cathedral windows.Throughout the whole museum there are concepts and ideas that were borrowed from the Gothic cathedrals, and applied to the museum in an innovative way.
of all the changes that took place during the Victorian era. Normally the stone was
only used in buildings in Bath, now with the transport system materials were
transported all around the country.
The museums exterior is adorned with floral motifs that are sharply cut forming contrast of light and dark on the Bath stone. The windows are particularly interesting, stone carvers tried to imitate nature and used leaves and flowers to create beautifully arched windows similar to Gothic cathedral windows.Throughout the whole museum there are concepts and ideas that were borrowed from the Gothic cathedrals, and applied to the museum in an innovative way.
The concept of the beautiful ceiling is merely a stone-vaulting system in iron. This goes to show just how innovative the Victorian architects were and how they changed their cities, Oxford in particular through architecture. Apart from iron, they used glass in the ceiling, and this allows more than enough light to penetrate into the museum making it the ideal place to show case Natural History.
The architects and stone carvers worked in harmony together to produce a Victorian Cathedral of knowledge. The images on the right depict how they incorporated the theme of Natural History in their intricate motifs on the stone capitals and windows, as well as iron floral motifs on the stunning iron and glass ceiling.
The bronze marble stone columns work well in contrast with the iron bars that make up the ceiling, altogether it gives of an industrial essence, although this can only be felt once the visitors pass through a Gothic stone entrance before encountering the ceiling.
The architects and stone carvers worked in harmony together to produce a Victorian Cathedral of knowledge. The images on the right depict how they incorporated the theme of Natural History in their intricate motifs on the stone capitals and windows, as well as iron floral motifs on the stunning iron and glass ceiling.
The bronze marble stone columns work well in contrast with the iron bars that make up the ceiling, altogether it gives of an industrial essence, although this can only be felt once the visitors pass through a Gothic stone entrance before encountering the ceiling.
Day, L. F. (2007) Ornament and its application. United Kingdom: Obscure Press
Dixon, R. and Muthesius, S. (1978) Victorian Architecture; With a short dictionary of architects and 250 illustrations. 2nd edn.
London; Thames and Hudson
Dixon, R. and Muthesius, S. (1978) Victorian Architecture; With a short dictionary of architects and 250 illustrations. 2nd edn.
London; Thames and Hudson
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