“From Wrenaissance to Wrengeneration”

The inaugural talk was delivered by leading architect and urbanist Sir Terry Farrell who spoke to a packed St Bride’s of Sir Christopher Wren’s masterplan for London after the Great Fire – which, of course, was never implemented – as well as his plans for various parts of the capital.

Farrell claimed that London is a better city for its lack of a ‘grand plan’ such as that seen in Paris, and Wren’s subsequent contribution to the city, the 56 churches and many other buildings is unsurpassed.

Ken Shuttleworth, founder of Make, delivered the second Wren Talk, when he considered how Wren might view the City if he were alive today; Shuttleworth, who is particularly known for working in and around the City of London, (he is the architect behind the Gherkin and City Hall), commented: “Wren would largely be impressed with the City skyline”.

“Rees on Wren”

Peter Rees, Professor of Places and City Planning at The Bartlett School of Planning and former head Planning Officer for the City of London, gave the 2014 Wren Talk.

“Accident or Artifice? Designing a Capital from Wren to Abercrombie”

Simon Thurley, academic and architectural historian, took a broad historical perspective on the planning of London from the Great Fire to the Blitz, asking what the defining characteristics of London’s growth are and how have they contributed to the city we have today.

“The Great Fire of London”

Writer and historian Adrian Tinniswood pieced together the human story of the Fire and its aftermath, providing a reconstruction of what happened to schoolchildren, and servants, courtiers and clergymen.

“Celebrated, Forgotten and Remembered: Sir James Thornhill and the Legacy of the Painted Hall”

Wren designed the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, which includes the great Painted Hall, one of the most spectacular and important barqoue interiors in Europe which was conceived and executed by British artist Sir James Thornhill. Dr Anya Matthews is Research Curator for the Painted Hall conservation project.

“From Spires to Towers – the Politics of the Skyline”

Eric Parry RA, architect, designer, writer, educator and Royal Academician, discussed the historical changes in the politics of the City of London skyline.

“Nicholas Barbon – the man who transformed London”

Jeremy Melvin, architectural writer and historian, discussed the life and work of a notorious and influential 17th century Londoner, Nicholas Barbon, who invented fire insurance, advocated free trade and helped transform London.

London after COVID: How fast will the city recover and how might it change?

Professor Tony Travers, Visiting Professor in the LSE Department of Government and Director of LSE London, delivered the tenth annual Wren Talk.

Christopher Wren before Architecture: the ‘British Leonardo’ – his impact on physiology, astronomy, engineering, practical inventions and experimental philosophy

Rory Coonan, former director of architecture at the Arts Council of Great Britain, and honorary fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects delivered the eleventh annual Wren Talk.

1666 and all that: Wren, the Great Fire and its global legacies

Professor Elizabeth McKellar, author of The birth of modern London: the development and design of the city, Professor Emerita in Architecture and Design History at the Open University, and president of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain, delivered the twelfth annual Wren Talk.