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St Pancras station
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319—321 Gray’s Inn Road
Road traffic signs
Cent. London T&E Hosp.
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R L Homœopathic Hospital
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Faraday House
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Pharmaceutical Soc.
British Museum
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Smith’s umbrellas
Lavers & Barraud
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27–29 Long Acre
Street names
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St Martin’s Schools
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Background
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Exploiting context
02
08
12

Central London Throat & Ear Hospital (The Royal National Throat, Nose & Ear Hospital) Gray’s Inn Road

There are several versions of the name on the two buildings here. On the original building the frieze at the top contains egyptian letters cast on terracotta blocks. Almost monoline in construction, each is placed centrally on a square block which creates an irregular rhythm to the words containing I.

Above the ground floor are newer Trajan-derived steel letters whose chief quality is usefulness for pedestrians. On the north-facing, flanking wall another version of this name and lettering style appears as a white and blue glazed panel set in the brickwork.

A third version of the name appears at eye level. While the letterform – a condensed modern – is more usually associated with fashion magazine mastheads, its execution is interesting being apparently cast with the terrazzo panels of the wall.

Details list – click to switch the current detail

The original egyptian lettering
The middle line
Condensed modern

All stills for Central London Throat & Ear Hospital (The Royal National Throat, Nose & Ear Hospital)

The original egyptian lettering

Click to download the original image.

Each letter on the top frieze of the original building is made of four ceramic tiles.

Click to download the original image.

Each letter on the top frieze of the original building is made of four ceramic tiles.

Click to download the original image.

Each letter on the top frieze of the original building is made of four ceramic tiles.

The middle line

Click to download the original image.

The most obvious name when approaching is made of Trajan-derived letters made in steel along the top edge of the new entrance extension, and on a glazed ceramic panel at the King’s Cross end of the building.

Click to download the original image.

The most obvious name when approaching is made of Trajan-derived letters made in steel along the top edge of the new entrance extension, and on a glazed ceramic panel at the King’s Cross end of the building.

Click to download the original image.

The most obvious name when approaching is made of Trajan-derived letters made in steel along the top edge of the new entrance extension, and on a glazed ceramic panel at the King’s Cross end of the building.

Condensed modern

Click to download the original image.

On the terrazo panel at street level are these condensed modern letters. The material is more interesting than their form.