What with the heady range of iconic projects lining his portfolio – from the Eden project’s low-lying domes, to the Grand Union Walk housing pods and the snaking former International Terminal at Waterloo Station – Sir Nicholas Grimshaw has a busy practice on his hands.
President of the Royal Academy of Arts since 2004, Sir Grimshaw is undoubtedly one of Britain’s most prominent and iconic architects, and for those of us who have long craved a sneaky peak into the mind – and the drawing board – of this world-renowned creator, the Royal Academy will for the next three months play host to an exhibition showcasing samples from some of Sir Grimshaw’s most interesting sketchbooks.
Featuring sixty-two preliminary drawings, a range of conceptual sketches and several hand-drawn studies, the show will be on display in the RA’s Tennant Room, which houses a whole host of insider information regarding work dating from 1982 – including some of Sir Grimshaw’s unrealised work, along with more recent projects – including the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Centre which opened just last year in Troy, USA.
A stunning, high-gloss catalogue of all Sir Grimshaw’s sketches (which will be donated to the Academy at the end of the show) will also be available during the exhibition as a constant source of coffee-table based, architectural inspiration. §
