Far from being a brilliant white, paint analysis established that the surfaces in the foyer were painted in a very sophisticated manner in 1951. A deep red, a pale dull green and a dark brown were originally employed.  At first sight the selection of colour might seem somewhat random, but there appears to have been a rationale behind it.  I showed how the original scheme had been influenced by the writings of Amédée Ozenfant, a one-time collaborator of the Swiss architect, Le Corbusier.



The Foyer appears to have been decorated on nine occasions.  For at least the first four redecorations there seems to have been a conscious decision to maintain the original colour scheme in most areas of the building.  However, with the obliteration of the early colours and the introduction of a universal green, the original concept had been lost.

The background to the project can be seen here.

Cross section of paint from Foyer walls

A CENTURY OF ACHIEVEMENT

A British Pathé film clip of King George VI opening the Festival of Britain in 1951

A further Public Information film can be seen HERE






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