Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1924-1999 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
8.55 linear metres
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Set up in 1924 by royal warrant, the Royal Fine Art Commission (RFAC) acted as an advisory body to the government on all things architectural and aesthetic about the city. Although it lacked statutory powers, the Commission worked to influence and encourage decisions made about the built environment, urban design and the use of public space and amenities. These duties were extended in 1933, enabling the Commission to attract the government's attention to any development which impacted national urban design or the aesthetics of the public character. With increasing influence on planning permission submissions, the Commission's reach was further extended in 1946 by giving it the power to make inspections and request information on prospective projects. In post-War London, the Commission played a strong role in the planning and reconstruction of the city, from the design of new buildings to the alteration and re-use of existing ones. By the time it was decommissioned, the RFAC was an important influence on and part of the design process for the rebuilding and construction of new buildings nation-wide. It also had a major influence on the placement of memorials and statues, the style and use of street lighting and the construction of roads and motorways.
In 1999, the RFAC's functions were taken over by the newly established Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), which continued to act in this independent capacity until 2011.
Source of information:http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details/AssetMain?iaid=C35 http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110118095356/http://www.cabe.org.uk/about/what-we-do
Repository
Archival history
GB 0074 LMA/4625 1924-1999 Collection 8.55 linear metres Royal Fine Art Commission
Set up in 1924 by royal warrant, the Royal Fine Art Commission (RFAC) acted as an advisory body to the government on all things architectural and aesthetic about the city. Although it lacked statutory powers, the Commission worked to influence and encourage decisions made about the built environment, urban design and the use of public space and amenities. These duties were extended in 1933, enabling the Commission to attract the government's attention to any development which impacted national urban design or the aesthetics of the public character. With increasing influence on planning permission submissions, the Commission's reach was further extended in 1946 by giving it the power to make inspections and request information on prospective projects. In post-War London, the Commission played a strong role in the planning and reconstruction of the city, from the design of new buildings to the alteration and re-use of existing ones. By the time it was decommissioned, the RFAC was an important influence on and part of the design process for the rebuilding and construction of new buildings nation-wide. It also had a major influence on the placement of memorials and statues, the style and use of street lighting and the construction of roads and motorways.
In 1999, the RFAC's functions were taken over by the newly established Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), which continued to act in this independent capacity until 2011.
Source of information:http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details/AssetMain?iaid=C35 http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110118095356/http://www.cabe.org.uk/about/what-we-do
Deposited in January 2001 and July 2011.
Project case files seeking consultation and approval from the RFAC for various London-wide architectural proposals and developments dating from 1924-1999.
Records are kept in original order with original numbers found in former reference field.
Records are arranged into 4 sub-fonds:
A - Administration
B - Monuments
C - Infrastructure
D - London Localities
E - Other Consultations
Within each sub-fonds the records are arranged into series; thereafter files are listed by former reference as ordered by the organisation.
These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.
Copyright is held by the depositor.
English.
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
At London Metropolitan Archives: COL/PL/01/166/A/019, LCC/AR/TP/01/092, GLC/DG/PRB/35/009/596, GLC/DG/PRB/35/035/161, LMA/4544/06/20/005.
The central records of the Royal Fine Arts Commission are held at The National Archives in Kew.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Added in May 2013. Architectural organizations Archives Public archives Urban planning Urban design Urban development Town and country planning Planning control Planning decisions Planning permission Cultural organizations Cultural administration Royal Fine Art Commission London England UK Western Europe Europe Greater London Organizations
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Deposited in January 2001 and July 2011.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Project case files seeking consultation and approval from the RFAC for various London-wide architectural proposals and developments dating from 1924-1999.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Records are kept in original order with original numbers found in former reference field.
Records are arranged into 4 sub-fonds:
A - Administration
B - Monuments
C - Infrastructure
D - London Localities
E - Other Consultations
Within each sub-fonds the records are arranged into series; thereafter files are listed by former reference as ordered by the organisation.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.
Conditions governing reproduction
Copyright is held by the depositor.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
At London Metropolitan Archives: COL/PL/01/166/A/019, LCC/AR/TP/01/092, GLC/DG/PRB/35/009/596, GLC/DG/PRB/35/035/161, LMA/4544/06/20/005.
The central records of the Royal Fine Arts Commission are held at The National Archives in Kew.
Finding aids
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English