George Grey Wornum

George Grey Wornum (17 April 1888 -11 June 1957) was a British architect.

Grey Wornum was born in London. He studied architecture under the guidance of his uncle, Ralph Selden Wornum. He married the American designer Miriam Alice Gerstle in 1923. In his later years he spent some time in Bermuda for health reasons. He died in New York City.

Achievements

Wornum was winner of the Royal Gold Medal for Architecture in 1952.

His notability rests upon his design of the RIBA Building, the Royal Institute of British Architects' Headquarters at 66 Portland Place, London. Wornum's entry was judged the best of 3600 in the competition for a new RIBA headquarters. Completed in 1934, the building was opened by King George V and Queen Mary.

RIBA 66 Portland Place London.

He also contributed to the first class interiors of the original RMS Queen Elizabeth liner, and was responsible for the layout of Parliament Square greatly praised in an article in The Times on 13 November 1952.

His work for Westminster Council included municipal buildings and a simple, stylish design of lamp post^[1], many of which are still in use.

In 1936 he was asked by the Cities of Westminster and London to co-ordinate all the street decorations for the Coronation of Edward VIII.^[2] This event was subsequently cancelled when the new King abdicated.

In 1946 he collaborated with John Gloag on "House out of Factory", a book about the practical side of the design, production and construction of pre-fabricated houses in the aftermath of the Second World War. ^[3]

Notes

1. ^ http://www.simoncornwell.com/lighting/collect/lanterns/revo-c-10/index.htm
2. ^ Daily Sketch article published 23 July 1936.
3. ^ Gloag, John. "House out of Factory London". George Allen and Unwin Ltd. 1946.