Institut Francais du Royaume-uni, London

Street frontage Visited as part of “Open House London.”
The Institut was founded in 1910 at the initiative of a young French woman. By the late 1920s, the French Govenrment had bought nos 15-17 Queensberry Place (no. 17 apparently being an empty site) A modernist building in brick was commissioned for no.17 from architect Patrice Bonnet, and the Lycee was built on an adjoining site. There are some interesting architectural details inside and out. The largest space, originally a dance hall, was converted to a library in the 1950’s.
In 1995 a further refurbishment and update of the interior of the building took place, and another stage in 2008. There is also an Art Deco cinema in the building (not seen).
Cinema seems to be the major function of the Institute these days. There is a bistro & coffee bar, and the library, with a large multimedia section and French comic books, is free to visit.
(Click on images to enlarge)

Side view windows
Side view
Entrance & ceiling logo
Entrance & logo
Interior, stairwell
Stairwell

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