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Development will unite the two-acre campus, creating a new route between Piccadilly and Mayfair

Art lovers have been out in force since the Royal Academy of Arts, the world’s foremost artist and architect-led institution, opened its new £56m campus in May as part of its 250th anniversary celebrations as the academy becomes a major cultural destination in central London, with year-round access to a significantly expanded public programme and with more space to make, debate and exhibit art and architecture than ever before.

One of the key features of the redevelopment is the new Weston Bridge between Burlington House and Burlington Gardens, uniting the two-acre campus and creating a new route between Piccadilly and Mayfair. The unified campus provides 70 per cent more public space than the RA’s original Burlington House footprint, enabling the RA to expand its exhibition and events programme, and to create new and free displays of art and architecture across the campus for visitors year-round.

Since 1768, the Royal Academy’s founding principle has been to promote the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts and architecture, which the RA has achieved through a programme of discussion and debate as well as exhibitions. The creation of the new 250-seat Benjamin West Lecture Theatre, the Clore Learning Centre and the restoration of the Wolfson British Academy Room, will give the RA permanent spaces for it to thrive as a hub of learning and debate well into the future.

A new public route through the campus will integrate the Royal Academy Schools, located at the very heart of the academy, into the visitors’ experience revealing the academy’s important role in arts education and its long tradition of training artists. The new Weston Studio, a public project space for students and alumni, and views of the Schools’ Corridor and the newly landscaped Lovelace Courtyard, will provide visitors with a greater insight into Britain’s longest established art school.

Christopher Le Brun, president, Royal Academy of Arts, said: “Royal Academicians are at the heart of everything we do – they govern the academy and, uniquely in the modern world for an organisation of this scale and significance, are responsible for its direction. British visual art and architecture has achieved outstanding international success in recent decades. The academy’s resurgence in the 21st century is demonstrated by the world-class quality of our current membership of painters, sculptors, architects and printmakers. The experience of the last few years would suggest the imminence of a golden age for the Royal Academy. Ultimately it will be for the public to judge, but I am confident they are about to experience a new, open and re-invigorated academy that matches our vision and will sustain our continuing contribution to the world of art and architecture for the next 250 years.”

Charles Saumarez Smith, secretary and chief executive, Royal Academy of Arts, said: “The physical transformation of the site will fundamentally change our almost 250-year old institution. We are, first and foremost, artist and architect-led, home to a community of the world’s greatest artists and architects, and a centre for training artists, with practitioners and an art school at our heart. This is not just a major building development; it is an undertaking which will transform the psychological, as well as the physical, nature of the academy. At long last, we will be able to open up the RA and share with the public more of our mission to promote the understanding, appreciation and practice of art and architecture.”

Development will unite the two-acre campus, creating

In 1932, the year in which brothers Charles and Jean Stern acquired Patek Philippe, the name of the manufacture’s prestigious symbol, the Calatrava cross, was given to a watch collection. The first true ‘family’ of watches Patek Philippe had created, the Calatrava quickly became a classic and is still regarded today as the brand’s most iconic collection.

The design was inspired by the Bauhaus movement, a German school of Arts based on the belief that ‘less is more’ and ‘form follows function’. Since the purpose of a watch is to tell the time, these principles discouraged any embellishments which could detract from the hands. The result was a watch which was at once beautiful and practical. Presented in a perfectly round case with a flat bezel and simple baton dial, the art of omission in the debut model Ref. 96, came to characterise the Calatrava’s understated, yet timeless style.

The collection has since evolved into numerous men’s and ladies models, in every metal from steel to platinum, with manually-wound or self-winding movements and some with discreet additions, such as date apertures or an additional time zone. However, in its 86-year history, the Calatrava’s personality has never changed. Impervious to short-lived trends, the collection has retained its essential simplicity and quiet distinction, recapturing each new generation along the way.

Wearers appreciate the Calatrava’s unique tendency to look just right, no matter the occasion. The understated design of the watches makes them eminently versatile. No oversized protrusion on the wrist or flashy, medallion of a timepiece but a sleek, elegant watch, the presence of which is made known only with a glimpse of its lugs beneath a shirt cuff.

Perhaps the most quintessential Calatrava is the Ref. 5119G, with a distinct, ‘Clous de Paris’ hobnail bezel, a motif dating back to the Middle Ages. The signature elegance of the gold case, framing a white lacquered dial, with black Roman numerals, has made this flagship model one of the most widely known watches of all time.

Connoisseurs also have a special affection for Officer’s-style Calatravas such as the Ref. 5153J, a traditional case form used by the manufacture since the outbreak of the First World War. Distinguished by straight lugs and a transparent case back, protected with a hinged dust cover, this is a watch crafted for a twenty-first century gentlemen with a deep respect for heritage.

One of the most significant moments in the Calatrava’s history, came at Baselworld in 2015, with the release of the Ref. 5524G. This watch paid tribute to historical pioneers of aviation by endowing a Calatrava with Patek Philippe’s patented Travel Time mechanism, which simultaneously displays the time across two time-zones. At this year’s Baselworld, this inimitable watch was released in a rose gold version, for men and, for the first time, for ladies.

Patek Philippe presents two distinct faces to the world, innovation and tradition. The Calatrava collection retains its links with the companies past and continually expresses the route of tradition. It is not the manufacture’s most technical collection nor its most extravagant, but no other watches lend truer expression to Patek Philippe’s iconic and timeless style.

To view and try on these pieces, speak to in-house specialists and learn more about the unique history behind each design visit the Patek Philippe Salon at 16 New Bond St, Mayfair, London W1S 3SU.

patek.com

In 1932, the year in which brothers

Tom Corby appreciates Tommy Nutter, the tailor who dressed Mick Jagger and Elton John in the latest edition of Savile Row Style Magazine.

Also in this edition is all the news from the Row, including interviews with leather goods maestro Trevor Pickett and Giles Burke-Gaffney, buying director at Justerini & Brooks.

Dege & Skinner takes us behind the scenes of creating uniforms for Prince Harry and Prince William at the Royal Wedding.

We interview John Harrison, the new creative director at Gieves and Hawkes about its autumn/winter collection.

Robin Dutt profiles the 10 best-dressed men in Hollywood history, from Gary Cooper to Sean Connery and Eddie Redmayne.

And celebrated Beatles historian Philip Norman remembers the halcyon days of Apple Corps, when Beatlemania gripped Savile Row.

Also, Tyne O’Connell on Lady Dorothy Savile, the aristocrat who gave her name to Savile Row; Helena Nicklin visits Domanies Ott, the French wine dynasty who made rose fashionable; and Tim Pitt puts his foot down in a a McLaren 720S supercar.

Read all this – and more – HERE

Tom Corby appreciates Tommy Nutter, the tailor

The Design Hotel Matterhorn FOCUS in Zermatt is like a work of art. The combination of modern architecture, genial comfort, attentive service and fascinating countryside create a special ambience. The splendid location with an unbeatable view of the famous Matterhorn emphasises the high standards that the hosts set for the hotel.

Designed by Heinz Julen, known worldwide for his eye-catching and surprising designs, the Focus focuses on unobtrusive elegance and on special attention to detail. Most of the 30 super-comfortable suites and rooms (Heinz Julen created the furnishings and lighting for the Focus) offer a view of the Matterhorn, some even from the free-standing bath tubs. While from the other rooms there is a view of the buzz of activity in the charming Valais village of Zermatt. We recommend the DOM roof suite with fireplace and balcony facing the Matterhorn.

The spacious and exclusive wellness area invites guests to relax in luxury, where all their needs will be catered for. It is very important to the hosts, that the guests are able to enjoy to the fullest their well-deserved and always too short holiday. To this end, a splendid indoor pool, an outdoor whirlpool, a saline bath, a caldarium and a Finnish sauna are waiting for the guests. A relax room with heated couches provide relaxation.

The hotel does not offer lunch or dinner, but its breakfast selection is one of the best both in terms of quality and quantity, and sets the tone of your day, whether you are skiing or exploring the mountains in the summer. A short stroll to the village centre of Zermatt gives you countless dining options.

Needless to say, Matterhorn FOCUS offers all amenities of modern hospitality with free internet access and a competent and committed hospitality. Above all, the hotel is very well located by the cable car station “Matterhorn glacier paradise”.

Phone +41 (0)27 966 24 24

info@matterhorn-focus.ch

www.matterhorn-focus.ch

Direct booking link with best price guarantee

https://www.simplebooking.it/ibe/search?hid=3559&lang=EN&cur=EUR

The Design Hotel Matterhorn FOCUS in Zermatt