My photographic essay about London’s buildings built in culturally different architectural styles to majority of structures have been published in the Czech geographical magazine Lidé a Země. It is in April edition which is significant this year due to magazine celebrating its 70th year anniversary since the beginning of the magazine in 1952.
Here is preface of the article which explains the cultural significance of these buildings and their history (the article itself in the magazine is in Czech language only):
Just as history itself, the development of architecture in London with its growth for nearly two thousand years, is very complex. When walking in the city today, one can behold homogeneous and inhomogeneous architectural wholes that mostly evolved according to the will of rich elites, due to whims of powerful businesses or on political commissions. And alongside the gothic, classical or modernist styles, also visible in other European cities, one can find Tudor, Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian architecture, styles designated by the names of then governing monarchs.
Should one ever try to get further and explore the city full of noble buildings or ordinary vernacular, it is possible to stumble upon “tiny pearls” with interesting stories attached to them. These, now often listed and culturally significant buildings, are built in “alien” architectural styles. Where do they come from?
Title photograph published in Lidé a Země - Fatboy’s Diner at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London
Diner is designation of American restaurants traditionally serving fries, hamburgers and other foods of American cuisine. This restaurant, prefabricated in New Jersey in 1940’s, eventually came to London. It is currently based in Trinity Buoy Wharf. The interior is of a typical design of 1940’s and the food is served with flavours of nostalgia. In the 20th century such restaurants were used predominantly by American working class.
