"The sixth, SOME STRIKING FEATURE TO EXEMPLIFY THE PRESENT STATE OF THE
SCIENCE OF CONSTRUCTION IN THIS COUNTRY. In order that the building, in
which England invites the whole world to display their richest productions,
may afford, at least in one point, a grandeur not incommensurate with the
occasion, we propose, by a dome of light sheet iron 200 feet in diameter,
to produce an effect at once striking and admirable. From calculations
which have been made of the cost of so grand a Hall, we have reason to
expect that it may be executed for a sum not greatly exceeding the cost of
the simplest form of roof likely to be adopted to cover the same area.
"It is to be borne in mind that a considerable amount of any such
difference may be recovered, should this portion of the building be
converted hereafter to other purposes, which is more than probable. This
vast dome it is proposed to light mainly from one circle of light in its
centre, and thus the sculpture will be pleasingly and suitably lit.
"Six out of the eight openings in the cylinder of the dome would be well
adapted for the exhibition of stained glass windows of great extent, while
the two remaining arches will open to the main central gallery. The lower
part of some of the voids will admit the eye to turf and shrubs, and
produce a great freshness of effect.
"The immense continuity of the Central Avenue will be broken and relieved
by a variation in the roof opposite the openings to the second and third
sets of refreshment-rooms, and windows for the reception of Stained Glass
may be placed at the ends of each transverse gallery, thus terminating the
vista for each.
"It now only remains to explain the course of action we would recommend for
adoption as soon as the principles of the plan, &c., shall be positively
decided.
"We consider this to be an occasion upon which the greatest amount of
intellectual and commercial ingenuity and ability should be called out; and
that a generous rivalry among those best fitted to execute the principal
portions of this vast structure may lead to results which no amount of
detailed study that we could possibly give to this matter would supply.
"We would therefore recommend that every advantage should be taken of the
accumulated and experimental knowledge and resources of intelligent and
enterprising contractors, and that every opportunity should be afforded to
them of DISTINGUISHING THEMSELVES. We would therefore recommend as the best
means of enlisting their services the following course of action:
"Adopting the approved design as a basis, we would proceed immediately to
prepare such working-drawings and specifications as may be necessary, and
to issue invitations for tenders to execute Works in accordance with them,
requesting from competitors, in addition, such suggestions and
modifications, accompanied with estimates of cost, as might possibly become
the means of effecting a considerable reduction upon the general expense.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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