The Cosmic House exploration, 3pm—4:30pm FULLY BOOKED
The Cosmic House exploration, 3pm—4:30pm
Tuesday 14 July
19 Lansdowne Walk, London, W11 3AH
Please note we have two times slots: 12:30pm—2pm and 3pm—4:30pm.
Join us on the first-ever C20 Society visit of Cosmic House, one of the most unique and remarkable domestic buildings of the late twentieth century. Listed Grade I, the highest level of protection, it’s a result of collaboration between Charles & Maggie Jencks and Terry Farrell.
Built between 1978 and 1983 the house subverts the genteel architecture of Holland Park, exaggerating, caricaturing and embellishing the white stucco until it becomes a microcosm of contemporary architectural theory, semiotics and historiography.
Charles and Maggie Jencks worked with architect Terry Farrell, their designs played with the formal early Victorian villa architecture of Holland Park and its conventions and motifs and remodelled the interior to create a complex scenography of stories and histories. Treating the interior almost like the romantic gardens of the eighteenth century in which visitors would be taken on a walk through a narrative landscape filled with classical allusions and references to art and learning, Jencks created an interior which (mostly) suited both living and learning.
In 2018 the house was listed at the highest level of protection, Grade I, in recognition of its status as a built manifesto for Post Modernism and a pivotal centre of global architectural culture. In 2021 the house opened to the public and the new Jencks Foundation will run a cultural programme of exhibitions and seminars, and support research through grants, residencies and publications.
Please note that the capacity is limited to 15 people.
Members only.
C20 Society Members £35;
Young C20 £10*
*For Young C20 members, please email lukas@c20society.org.uk to secure a place.
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The Twentieth Century Society is an IHBC (Institute of Historic Building conservation) recognised CPD provider.
The Twentieth Century Society is a registered charity, no 1110244
Image above: Cosmic House, 1978–83. Photo by Dunja Opalko for Ursula Magazine.