The National Archives - Architectural Collections
Olivia Gecseg, Visual Collections Records Specialist, The National Archives @UKNatArchives
Westminster Abbey: Chapter House Restoration. Longitudinal section through vestibule and outer vestibule. Signed by G Gilbert Scott (1866). The National Archives, Cat. ref.: WORK 38/47
The National Archives holds many thousands of architectural drawings and related records, covering a wide range of buildings and other structures, including iconic British landmarks and major engineering projects, most of which date from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.
Greater London Plan, Greater London Traffic Densities (1944) extracted from publication of Professor Abercrombie's report and plan, HLG 71/117. The National Archives, Cat. ref.: MF 1/1 (12a)
The National Archives is home to historical documents created and collected by UK central government departments. Our architectural records follow the same format and our collection is shaped by the British government’s interest in architecture. Before the 20th century, this was largely confined to public and Crown buildings and schemes and works by local authorities under various acts of Parliament. A notable collection is of the former Office of Works (WORK), with plans, drawings and maps relating to planning and development.
‘Birds-eye view of Whitehall Palace as designed by Inigo Jones’ (1639), reproduced in The Builder (1903). The Lister Collection, The National Archives, Cat. ref.: T 376/5
Our material includes elevations, sections, plans, perspective drawings and various other depictions and details of architectural works. Administrative records accompany these, including building contracts, accounts and correspondence.
Drawings of architectural fittings and furnishings can be found across our collection; significant series of interest include the Festival of Britain Office records (WORK 25), the Board of Trade’s Utility Furniture Scheme (BT 183) and those of the Building Research Station (DSIR 4).
Festival of Britain, Aerial View (1951), The National Archives, Cat. ref.: WORK 25/64
We also hold drawings of buildings and structures outside the British Isles, created or collected in the course of British government business abroad and in the work of the armed services, both in foreign countries and, during the years of the British Empire, colonies.
Among our vast collection of photographs there are a large number that were taken or collected by British diplomats and government officials stationed overseas. As an example, in 1869 the Colonial Secretary asked for photographs to be taken of ‘noteworthy buildings and scenery… together with individuals of various races peculiar to the colony.’ More details on where to find these and other photographic representations of buildings, housing and landscapes can be found in our guide.
Photographic view of Hong Kong in the 1890s. The National Archives, Cat.ref.: CO 1069/447
Our collection can be searched using our online catalogue Discovery. Use our research guide for architectural drawings for a detailed description of how to locate specific records, using the catalogue and a range of finding aids. Very few records are available to view online via our catalogue but a selection can be found on our Image Library. You can input the catalogue reference of the record into the ‘Advanced Search’ tool to search this platform. The National Archives is currently open to visitors and reader’s places can be booked online to view original records in person.
For further details on any of the records mentioned above or, for general enquiries, please get in touch with olivia.gecseg@nationalarchives.gov.uk
