I sketched this pavilion in 2015 while I was walking along the river. The building dates back to 1756 and it was built by the actor David Garrick in Hampton to honor William Shakespeare.
As an architect based in Hampton, I am particularly interested in the local Hampton architecture.
Garrick's temple to Shakespeare stands out as one of the finest examples of classical style architecture in the area and it always intrigued me as a very singular building.
The temple is located next to the River Thames, right in front of Garrick’s Villa.
The architect of the temple is unknown although there has been speculation that the temple could have been designed by Robert Adam. What we know for certain is that the temple is heavily inspired by the architecture of the Pantheon in Rome or the Chiesa della Gran Madre in Turin. I used to pass in front of this church during my years studying at the Politecnico di Torino and the architecture of the temple always felt very familiar.
The temple had been used by Garrick as a working space, it was supposed to be literally a garden office for his villa. I really understand Garrick’s need to separate between house and work which is something that I advocate very strongly! My office sits right behind my house so I can relate somehow (although my office is not as majestic as the temple!).
Today the building is Grade II Listed and it can be visited by the public. I feel very attached to this building due to its prominence in Hampton, but also the fact that it sits right in front of one of our projects located in an island in the middle of the river.
I feel very fortunate to live and work in this beautiful part of London and I strongly believe that the temple is one of the great highlights of this area.
Iacopo
PS: more information can be found here.