Page 1 of 1

British Library ahoy!

Posted: March 11th, 2024, 10:26 am
by XFool
Here is a genuine curiosity, IMO. The headline explains the subject - accusations of lack of diversity in appointments at the Alan Turing Institute, which is located in the British Library. But it is the latter which prompted me to post. Here is shown a photo of a side view of the BL which clearly shows the building to be in the shape of a ship! I have never seen a photo from this angle before or seen, AFAIK, any mention of this architectural design feature of the BL. I wonder why not, as it is so striking? Or have I just missed it?

Staff at Alan Turing Institute speak out after four men given top roles

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/mar/11/staff-at-alan-turing-institute-speak-out-after-four-men-given-top-roles

Employees say there is a trend of limited diversity among the senior scientific leadership at the London centre for AI

Re: British Library ahoy!

Posted: March 11th, 2024, 10:55 am
by mc2fool
XFool wrote:Here is shown a photo of a side view of the BL which clearly shows the building to be in the shape of a ship! I have never seen a photo from this angle before or seen, AFAIK, any mention of this architectural design feature of the BL. I wonder why not, as it is so striking? Or have I just missed it?

"The building looks like a ship if viewed from the right angle. Architect Sir Colin St. John Wilson was formerly a naval lieutenant, and his nautical influences are dotted all around the building. Look at the 3D model of the building on the Upper Ground Floor and you’ll see what we mean."
https://blogs.bl.uk/living-knowledge/2023/07/50-facts-about-the-british-library.html

Also...

https://londonist.com/london/features/british-library-50-years-tour-secrets
https://www.mylondon.news/news/north-london-news/ugly-london-building-thats-supposed-26579341

and quite a few others if you https://www.google.com/search?q=british+library+like+a+ship

Re: British Library ahoy!

Posted: March 11th, 2024, 11:28 am
by XFool
...OK, great. Thanks!

I remain surprised that, on its opening, I had not seen such a photograph of the BL. Usually just the standard ones of a front view and of the clock tower.

Nevertheless, I feel my point stands. That particular photo in the OP strikingly shows it, from the correct perspective, to be in the shape of an ocean liner, with the clock tower being the funnel. None of the other photos or articles show this as clearly and immediately.