Marble Hall in Norwich Union building, Surrey Street, Norwich, Norfolk
Surrey House is a Grade I listed building, designed by George Skipper as the headquarters for The Norwich Union Life Insurance Society, now Aviva.
The main hall incorporates over 15 types of marble, originally destined for Westminster Cathedral. The hall has a spectacular glass-domed ceiling, of around 11m in diameter.
What appears to be a swinging pendulum suspended from the ceiling is in fact a system to waft warm air in winter and cool air in summer. Disguised as a marble fountain, it sucked the outside air through a screen, passing through radiators and electric fans, where the heat could be varied in temperature. This was then deflected by a brass pendant and pumped through the hall.
Marble Hall in Norwich Union building, Surrey Street, Norwich, Norfolk
Surrey House is a Grade I listed building, designed by George Skipper as the headquarters for The Norwich Union Life Insurance Society, now Aviva.
The main hall incorporates over 15 types of marble, originally destined for Westminster Cathedral. The hall has a spectacular glass-domed ceiling, of around 11m in diameter.
What appears to be a swinging pendulum suspended from the ceiling is in fact a system to waft warm air in winter and cool air in summer. Disguised as a marble fountain, it sucked the outside air through a screen, passing through radiators and electric fans, where the heat could be varied in temperature. This was then deflected by a brass pendant and pumped through the hall.