WHAT?  Soane and Modernism: Make it New 

WHERE?  Sir John Soane’s Museum, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP

WHEN?  Now until 18th May.  Free to view

WHY GO?  For a voyage of discovery.  Architecture as an art is at the forefront of cultural news of late, what with the global success of The Brutalist film which has garnered accolades galore. 

Consequently there could never be a better time to sing the praises of Sir John Soane and his huge contribution to architecture in the UK.  His famous London home and country estate of Pitzhanger are lauded architectural gems.

This new exhibition cites Soane as an early Modernist.  Since he is famed for specialising in the Neo-Classical style, the Bank of England being his most famous project, this might seem a tad contrary but it does chime with his visionary ideas that were modern at the time. 

It places his work as a forerunner to Modernists such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier. Intriguing and definitely worth delving deeper into this inspired concept through architectural drawings plus the surprising suggestion that Soane’s family tomb inspired Gilbert Scott’s iconic red telephone box!  There are drawings to validate this curious fact.

Soane certainly changed perceptions when he championed buildings to emphasise light and open space though ironically, his beloved London home is now a museum jam packed with antiquities that barely see the light!

IN THE KNOW  Every building project starts on the drawing board and Drawing Matter, who have assembled a unique collection of architectural drawings dating from the sixteenth century to the present day, have collaborated with the museum on the exhibition, loaning all the Modernist drawings.