Who was sir Christopher Wren?

Sir Christopher Wren was responsible for the style of building known as English Baroque. He was commissioned to build the new St. Paul’s Cathedral (1675-1710) In the City of London. His plans evolved over a long time. The clergy of the time did not allow him to build his favorite design as this was based on a Greek cross with the wings or arms connected by concave walls. He had to compromise and the final building is still dominated by the magnificent dome which is placed over the crossing area of the cross. The curve of the walls was gone, and is replaced by clearstory windows to provide light for the nave and choir. These windows are hidden by behind high screen walls. The material used in the building was the brilliant white Portland stone. 

Christopher Wren designed and built the Royal Hospital→ in Chelsea (1682-1754). He rebuilt numerous churches in London after the Great Fire of 1666. At St. Stephen (below) Walbrook he designed a circle inside a Greek Cross. In St Mary, Abchurch and St. Swithin, Cannon Street, he managed to fit a circular ceiling into a square. The rest are

rectangles of different shapes and sizes. They all show a variety of plans inside and are divided into square spaces, often with galleries. All his buildings show a lot of charm. He was helped in his work by younger assistants, especially Nicholas Hawksmere.

Wren was also very productive with other commissions. He had a large input into the design of Hampton Court and the Naval Hospital at Greenwich. These have a Dutch influence of Royalty with a mixture of stone and red brick. He was a very adaptable architect and had a great appreciation of the older Gothic designs and could design buildings in harmony with these, e.g. Tom Tower at Christchurch. He also designed very up-to-date buildings, such as Trinity College Library in Cambridge. This was built on designs of Paris architecture at the time.