Palace of the Ether: Broadcasting House and the Architecture of the BBC, 1922-1932 - Elizabeth Darling

Palace of the Ether: Broadcasting House and the Architecture of the BBC, 1922-1932 – Elizabeth Darling This book explores the architecture and design of broadcasting during the 1920s and 1930s, focusing on the formative decades of the BBC and the buildings it occupied—most notably Broadcasting House in London. Arguing that these spaces were integral to the Corporation’s identity, as much as the programmes and people within them, Elizabeth Darling draws on architectural writer Christopher Hussey’s evocative description of Broadcasting House as a ‘palace of the ether’ to examine how an intangible medium was given tangible, spatial form. Tracing the BBC’s technological and organisational development, the book reveals how evolving demands shaped the design of its environments, while also highlighting the networks and affiliations that influenced key commissions. It offers a detailed study of Val Myer, architect of the building’s exterior, alongside the designers of its studio interiors, including Serge Chermayeff, Wells Coates, Edward Maufe, Raymond McGrath and Dorothy Warren. Richly researched and engagingly written, Palace of the Ether provides fresh insight into British architectural culture at a pivotal moment. An essential addition for readers of architectural history, broadcasting heritage, and twentieth-century design—perfect for those browsing our curated selection of architectural titles from Scotland and beyond. Author: Elizabeth Darling Publisher: Lund Humphries Publishing Ltd Format: Hardcover Pages: 176 ISBN:9781848227057 Publication date: June 2026