the economist building, london 1959-1964. architects: peter and alison smithson (1923-2003 & 1928-1993). last photo from england this time, and I don't have time to write about the economist building, the one project by the smithsons everybody agrees is a masterpiece. we had decided to stay out of london which is no place for a three year old, but when we found ourselves in an airport hotel for our last night, we made a change of plans and went to london to see a friend. life is too short…

Architects; Alison & Peter Smithson, 1964. Smithsons said "The Economist building is a didactic building, a dry building - deliberately so. And this seen from two hundred years' time may seem an error, but in our situation there is no course but 'to build' and 'to demonstrate'. Not only in what we have done, but in what we have not done lies the lesson" The perspective sketches shown here were part of a criticism by Gordon Cullen in Architecture Review 1964 or 65.

the economist building, london 1959-1964. architects: peter and alison smithson (1923-2003 & 1928-1993). foreground: new firewall in london stock brick to the old boodles' club, behind that: the residential block, the boodles' residential chambers. who can offer such restraint today? this photo was uploaded with a CC license and may be used free of charge and in any way you see fit. if possible, please name photographer "SEIER+SEIER". if not, don't. the smithsons.

The Economist Building, London 1964, Alison & Peter Smithson

the economist building, london 1959-1964. architects: peter and alison smithson (1923-2003 & 1928-1993). exterior stairs in roach bed portland stone, an english stone rich in fossils. this photo was uploaded with a CC license and may be used free of charge and in any way you see fit. if possible, please name photographer "SEIER+SEIER". if not, don't. the smithsons.

Architects: Alison & Peter Smithson, 1964.

Economist Building 2, St James’s, London, Alison and Peter Smithson, 1959-1964 Photo: Simon Phipps