Architectural souvenirs of Downtown London
Downtowns of a city are always known for its busy streets, live rhythms of music floating in the air, its cultural heritage and the implications of history attributed to it. In other words, downtowns are the heart of a society as they bring together several aspects that imbibe a sense of connection among its people. They are living cultural artifacts and monuments of pride for each society.
The downtown of London, Canada is no different in this sense. The cultural implication of downtown London is associated with its history of struggles, political upcoming and the survival of natural and man-made calamities. Also, the location of this downtown at the center of the city makes it the home for commerce, culture, and history.
The central attraction of downtown London is its stylistic architectural richness. The ideal amalgamation of tradition and modernity can implicitly be viewed in its architecture. The blend of historic and contemporary architecture has got an ideal blend here. The perfect co-relation between the beautiful Victoria era buildings and the modern structures are a treat to ones eyes.
Fig 1: St Peter’s Cathedral Basilica
This magnificent structure was built during the episcopate of Bishop John Walsh to serve as the cathedral for the diocese of London. This architectural masterpiece was built in the 13th century French gothic style. The massive bell towers, imposing sanctuary and the fine rose window made in Innsbruck, Austria are its most notable features. The effort made to preserve its traditionality can be analyzed in relation to its cultural specifications.
Fig 2: The market tower, central downtown, London.
This sophisticated architectural piece with a clock tower is one of the main attractions of the city. It is a point of connection across streets and can be considered a junction. The modernity in its architecture implies the fact that downtowns are not just the preservations of tradition and culture but the perfect blend of the two extremes.
Fig 3: The Victoria Park cenotaph built in honor of those who died in war and conflict.
This architectural epitome was erected in 1934 by the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire to honor the bravery of those who sacrificed lives for the sake of the nation. It is an impressive piece of stonework proudly placed in the southeast corner of the Victoria Park. This cenotaph resembles the emotional affinity the city has towards its past and history
Fig 4: Sophisticated piece of architectural creativity.
Modern architecture cannot be ignored when the emphasis is solely on culture and tradition and this proves the fact that the ideal blending of both can produce excellent architectural structures.
Fig: 5 The Metropolitan United Church
This architectural entity was built in a tradition of Romanesque Revival style. The bell tower is the central point of attraction and is about 170 feet tall. The unique patterns adopted in the construction of its windows bring additional ornamentation to this historical artifact.
Fig: 6 The London City Hall
This enormously great structure was built and officially opened in 1971. The design is said to be symbolic as it has two interlocking buildings. The base has an oval section representing elected people and the top tower in white is the administrative tower and it houses the city administration and its staff.
Fig: 7 Creative concepts in architecture can bring wonders.
So far, we have seen the traditional and contemporary aspects of architecture. Those are all the extremes of either side and this building stands somewhere in the middle of the and hence has implications of both traditional and modernity. This building adds to the historic nature of the streets of downtown London at the same time upholding the vibrancy of contemporary architecture.
Fig 8: Implication of London as the forest city
This is a unique structure in the city and the uniqueness is contributed by the greenery it upholds. This historic building is now converted into an apartment building with commercial space. This is an example of the Second Empire architectural style being applied to commercial space.
Fig 9: The compilation of art and architecture
This structural building becomes a point of attraction with the painting on it. It in essence reflects the tradition, culture, and lifestyle of the city.
In addition to this, downtown London is a cultural epicenter and has many theaters, galleries, and cultural centers. The Victoria Park of London is another central point of attraction in the city.
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