The Design, Construction and Survival of UCL's Greek Revival Wilkins Building

The Georgian Group is hosting a talk on the design, construction and survival of UCL's Greek Revival Wilkins Building on Tuesday 8 December, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. It's held at their headquarters, 6 Fitzroy Square, London W1T 5DX.

The talk tells the story of University College London's first architectural expression: the domed Greek Revival building of 1827-9 by William Wilkins. At the time, it stood as a symbol of the institution's democratic principles, and the talk looks at the progressive social, educational and architectural philosophy that underpinned Wilkins's design. It's not just about the early years, though. It also covers the terrible damage the building took during the bombing raids of 1940-41 and its subsequent restoration by the arch-neoclassicist Sir Albert Richardson, who was one of the founders of the Georgian Group itself.

The lecture marks the bicentenary of UCL, 200 years since it was founded as London's first university and the first in the country to open its doors to all, regardless of religious belief. The Georgian Group, which presents the evening, is a national charity founded in 1937 and based in Fitzroy Square; it acts as the statutory consultee for Georgian buildings across England and Wales.

Tickets are £15 for members and £18 for non-members, with a members' discount available by entering GGMEMBER at checkout. The talk runs from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, and doors open at 6:15pm.