Supervisor: Prof. James Campbell
Research overview:
Georgia Politi’s research focuses on the life and works of the Victorian architect Sir Horace Jones (1819-1887), the architect of Tower Bridge and the nineteenth century wholescale Metropolitan Markets of London. Despite the recognition he enjoyed during his lifetime, Jones’s contribution to architecture has not been acknowledged in history, nor has it ever been sufficiently studied.
As a private practitioner and later the Architect and Surveyor of the City of London (1864-1887) Jones was an accomplished designer both in the classical and gothic style, with an eclectic appropriation of architectural details. At the same time, his buildings demonstrate skilful manipulation of planning and programming challenges and enthusiastic consideration of the technological advancements of his time.
Concentrated research on Jones’s lost and extant buildings, through examining his writings, his designs and his surviving built work, will aim to outline his influences and improve understanding of his architecture. Examining this overlooked part of architectural heritage will help reassess Jones’s historical significance as one of the most eminent architects of the Victorian period.
Biography:
Georgia Politi is a chartered architect, with interest in conservation and adaptive reuse. She is accredited as Specialist Conservation Architect (RIBA SCA). In 2014 Georgia took an MSc degree in heritage studies at The Bartlett, UCL, and began her career at Historic Royal Palaces shortly after. In 2017 she joined Julian Harrap Architects, where she remains today, as Associate. Her work includes the conversion of Jones’s Smithfield Market to the New Museum of London, amongst other public, and private projects. Georgia’s PhD research is supported by the A.G Leventis Foundation.