2-911-226 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

Festival of Britain, South Bank Exhibition, Dome of Discovery, Chicheley Street, South Bank, Lambeth, Greater London Authority, 10-07-1950. The partially constructed Dome of Discovery on the South Bank, with County Hall behind, and the roof of the Transport Pavilion in the foreground. The original caption reads: "Progress picture of construction work on 1951 Exhibition, South Bank, London. View of Dome of Discovery showing aluminium alloy arches to support aluminium roof. Part of Transport Pavilion is in foreground." The Dome of Discovery was designed by Ralph Tubbs. The building was a temporary structure using reinforced concrete and aluminium. At the time it was the largest aluminium structure ever erected, and was also the biggest dome in the world. It measured 365 ft in diameter, and was alsmost 100 ft high.