24 JULY 1852, Page 10

IRON ARCHITECTURE.

Some years ago, a work appeared developing the theory of an entirely new system of architecture, of which the elements are to be, not stone and timber, bricks and mortar, but iron, slate, glass, porcelain, &c. The author, Mr. W. Vose Pickett, contemplates nothing less than a complete revolution in our present principles and materials of construction ; for him there " looms in the future" not merely an isolated " Crystal Palace " here and there, but whole metallic streets and cities. The church, the shop, the mansion, the model lodging-house, the cottage— all equally are to be made of wrought-iron, in conjunction with slate and other materials such as those named above. After Mr. Pickett had, as an architect, conceived and elaborated his theory on grounds of fine art, he became acquainted with a patent taken out by Mr. George for practical purposes of construction in similar materials,—providing for all the jointings being made upon the dove-tail principle, and for insuring a pressure of superincumbent weight outwards in lieu of vertical pressure. Both gentlemen are, we understand, now working in combination to bring their plans before the public. We inspected this week a series of designs, plans, models, &c. in illus- tration of the system, at No. 68 Jermyn Street ; where they will con- tinue visible (by ticket) during the current month and August. More nearly approaching in general aspect the Saracenic than any other style of architecture, Mr. Pickett's designs naturally present an air of peculiar lightness of form, minuteness and multiplicity of detail, and brilliancy of decorative colour. Designs for a permanent building of cognate ap- plication to that now vanishing from Hyde Park, for dwellings for the working-classes, and for Quadrant-canopy and shelter (proposed when the range of columns was removed) are among the most noticeable in sub- ject : and we may remark that Mr. Pickett exhibits this year at the Royal Academy. We are informed that a granary has already been erected on the new system. The chief advantages urged in its behalf are those of cheapness, clean- liness, freedom from vermin, durability without the need of repair, moveability, (allowing special scope for exportation of houses of this con- struction to the Colonies, &a.) and economy of space; the thickness of the walls—although in all cases to be formed of double plates with an in- interval of space between—being but of inches where feet are now some- times required.