Research Articles
Read fascinating architecture research articles about Crystal Palace Park's Sublime Structures. The articles have been painstakingly researched and written by our wonderful team of volunteers.| Our Research | Title | Article | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
 Portrait of Joseph Paxton circa 1850 | Joseph Paxton: Designer of the Crystal Palace and creator of Crystal Palace Park | Sublime Structures - Joseph Paxton PDF | Kathryn Jones |
 | Crystal Palace TV Transmitter Crystal Palace is the most important transmitter in the UK. Opened by the BBC in 1956, it replaced the Alexandra Palace mast in north London. The transmitter has become a much-loved local and London landmark, jokingly known as the “Eiffel Tower of South London”. | Sublime Structures_ Crystal Palace TV Transmitter PDF | Kathryn Jones |
 | Crystal Palace Geological Illustrations The Crystal Palace Park gardens included a prehistoric ‘swamp’ complete with models of Extinct Animals - the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs. The swamp consisted of a 'tidal' lake, three geological islands and artificial cliffs. Paxton's iron bridge provides a platform to view the geological landscape. | Crystal Palace Geological Illustrations PDF | Jan Goode |
 | The Croydon Canal The Lord Mayor of London opened the Croydon Canal in 1809 as part of the Grand Surrey Canal. It was to join the Thames at New Cross from West Croydon via Forest Hill, Penge and Anerley through the Great North Wood. | The Croydon Canal PDF | Patricia McLean |
 | The Crystal Palace's glass Chance Brothers was one of only two glass manufacturers in England with the capacity to produce the quantity and quality of glass that Joseph Paxton required for the Crystal Palace. | Glazing the Crystal Palace PDF | Tom Chance |
 | The Crystal Palace Maze The Great Maze was one of several features designed to entertain the public, particularly children, along with the Underground Grotto, the boating lake and playgrounds - rather like a modern day adventure park. | The Crystal Palace Maze PDF | Jan Goode |
 | The Great Exhibition Building and its Design Before finding its permanent ‘home’ in Sydenham, and vanishing forever in the flames of the 1936 fire, the history of the Crystal Palace building began with the Great Exhibition of 1851. | The Great Exhibition Building PDF | Laura Lavorato |
 | Music at Crystal Palace Crystal Palace was the epicentre of public music performance in Britain with an amazing range of concerts and festivals. Later the park became a venue for pop and rock bands. | Music at Crystal Palace PDF | Nicky Road |
 | Brunel and the Crystal Palace Water Towers The great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel was an enthusiastic supporter of the 1851 Great Exhibition and became even more involved when the Crystal Palace moved to Sydenham. | Brunel and the Crystal Palace Water Towers PDF | Laura Lavorato |
 | Crystal Palace Pneumatic Railway The futuristic Victorian railway invention that briefly allowed the public to travel through a tunnel with no visible means of propulsion. | Crystal Palace Pneumatic Railway PDF | Nick McLean |
 | The Crystal Palace Company ‘What is to become of the Crystal Palace?' asked Sir Joseph Paxton, without permanent planning permission, the Crystal Palace had to be either destroyed or relocated after the Great Exhibition in 1852. This is the story of its relocation from Hyde Park to Sydenham. | The Crystal Palace Company PDF | Jan Goode |