Wembley transcends being merely a sports venue; it represents a visionary concept and a trailblazing sojourn in the realm of architectural exploration.
In the summer of 1924, London hosted the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley. This grand event, designed by John W. Simpson, Maxwell Ayrton, and Owen Williams, brought together 78 governments and over 1,800 exhibitors, making it a significant cultural and historical moment.
The British Government Pavilion, designed by Ayrton and Williams, was widely acknowledged as the site's highest architectural achievement. The building, which took eight months to construct, combined simplified classicism with innovative construction methods, setting a new standard for architectural design.
Meanwhile, Joseph Emberton, a prolific author of small structures at the exhibition, made his mark with his advertising kiosks. Emberton's designs, such as Sharps's toffee kiosk and the domed Oxo pavilion, turned poster art into three dimensions, adding a unique and visually striking element to the exhibition.
The Palace of Arts, another main structure, featured an extremely popular suite of six period rooms. The choices of timescale in the Palace of Arts were indicative, starting with a panelled apartment of about 1750 and ending with two rooms from 1924. The Palace of Arts also housed the exhibition's greatest legacy – the Stadium, although it was reconstructed in 2003-07.
The Palace of Engineering and the Palace of Industry were bustling hubs of activity, with 1,000 exhibitors in the Palace of Engineering and 800 more in the Palace of Industry.
Owen Williams, a consulting engineer, was crucial in the design and construction of the exhibition buildings. He brought expertise in reinforced concrete, aeronautical engineering, and concrete ship design, making him an invaluable asset to the project.
The designs for the dining room and hall, bedroom, and other rooms in the Palace of Arts were chosen in a competition organized by the platform. The Imperial vision promoted by the Wembley exhibition seems hopelessly outdated a century on, but the event's highlights, such as a sculpture of the Prince of Wales made of Canadian butter, a subterranean reconstruction of the tomb of Tutankhamun, and the opportunity to ride an electric car around the site, still capture the imagination.
Emberton represented England in America at the 1932 International Exhibition of Modern Architecture in New York. His work at the Wembley Exhibition in 1924 demonstrated his innovative and forward-thinking approach to design, which continued to influence his work in the years to come.
The use of concrete construction for the exhibition buildings was a practical decision, due to its longevity and availability after the war. This choice ensured that many of the structures, including the British Government Pavilion and the Palace of Arts, have stood the test of time.
The Wembley Exhibition of 1924 was more than just a celebration of the British Empire; it was a showcase of British architectural and design talent, a testament to innovation, and a symbol of the country's post-war recovery. Today, it remains an important part of London's rich history.
