Brian O'Rorke
Encyclopedia
Brian O'Rorke was an architect
and interior design
er born in Wellington, New Zealand
.
Educated in engineering and architecture at Cambridge University, O'Rorke did the acclaimed design of a music parlor and London's Mayor Gallery. This caught the eye of Colin Anderson, director of Orient Steam Navigation Company
, who offered him the job of outfitting the interior of their new liner, RMS Orion
, in 1934.
OʼRorke knew what talent lay unused in Australasia and hired many Australians and New Zealanders to help with his design. He also may have seen the advantage of employing designers who intimately knew the tropical conditions in which the ship would need to carry people comfortably.
The result was an open air layout, making use of removable and folding walls, sliding glass doors, and relatively enormous promenade decks to keep cooling breezes flowing through spaces passengers could relax in. Rooms without access to the deck of the ship were also made to feel breezy by being as light and uncluttered as possible. Furnishings were chosen for their clean lines, wood given matte finishes, and columns left unadorned. Moreover, the chromium and bakelite used extensively throughout the ship meant surfaces were more resistant to the wearing effects of sea air
, a first in liners. This was a new type of functional interior that could be linked to the functionality of a shipʼs exterior.
Orion proved so successful, O'Rorke designed interiors for many more of Orient's ships. One of these was SS Orcades
.
His buildings include the Berkeley Hotel, London
; The New Royal Observatory
(now Herstmonceux Science Centre) at Herstmonceux
in Sussex
(1951-2, built 1955); a country house, Ashcombe Tower (1935) on Haldon
, near Dawlish
, Devon
; and halls of residence at Nottingham University. All are in an abstracted traditional style which is reminiscent of the work of his near-contemporary, Donald McMorran
. Unbuilt designs included one for the National Theatre
in London.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
and interior design
Interior design
Interior design describes a group of various yet related projects that involve turning an interior space into an effective setting for the range of human activities are to take place there. An interior designer is someone who conducts such projects...
er born in Wellington, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
Educated in engineering and architecture at Cambridge University, O'Rorke did the acclaimed design of a music parlor and London's Mayor Gallery. This caught the eye of Colin Anderson, director of Orient Steam Navigation Company
Orient Steam Navigation Company
The Orient Steam Navigation Company, also known as the Orient Line, was a British shipping company with roots going back to the late 18th century...
, who offered him the job of outfitting the interior of their new liner, RMS Orion
RMS Orion
RMS Orion was an ocean liner launched by the Orient Steam Navigation Company in 1934 and retired from the water in 1963 after carrying about 500,000 passengers...
, in 1934.
OʼRorke knew what talent lay unused in Australasia and hired many Australians and New Zealanders to help with his design. He also may have seen the advantage of employing designers who intimately knew the tropical conditions in which the ship would need to carry people comfortably.
The result was an open air layout, making use of removable and folding walls, sliding glass doors, and relatively enormous promenade decks to keep cooling breezes flowing through spaces passengers could relax in. Rooms without access to the deck of the ship were also made to feel breezy by being as light and uncluttered as possible. Furnishings were chosen for their clean lines, wood given matte finishes, and columns left unadorned. Moreover, the chromium and bakelite used extensively throughout the ship meant surfaces were more resistant to the wearing effects of sea air
Sea air
The air at or by the sea is traditionally thought to be healthy. This was variously attributed to iodine or ozone but its cleanliness or salt may be more significant....
, a first in liners. This was a new type of functional interior that could be linked to the functionality of a shipʼs exterior.
Orion proved so successful, O'Rorke designed interiors for many more of Orient's ships. One of these was SS Orcades
Orcades (1937)
RMS Orcades was a British built ocean liner that served on the UK-Australia route as a Royal Mail Ship from 1937-1939. Orcades was requistioned by the British government as a troopship in 1939....
.
His buildings include the Berkeley Hotel, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
; The New Royal Observatory
Royal Observatory
Royal Observatory may refer to:* The Royal Observatory, Greenwich * The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh* Before 1997, Hong Kong Observatory* The Royal Observatory of Belgium, Uccle...
(now Herstmonceux Science Centre) at Herstmonceux
Herstmonceux
Herstmonceux is a village and civil parish in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England. The parish includes Herstmonceux Castle, the village of Cowbeech and a number of smaller hamlets.-History:...
in Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
(1951-2, built 1955); a country house, Ashcombe Tower (1935) on Haldon
Haldon
The Haldon Hills, usually known simply as Haldon, is a ridge of high ground in Devon, England. It is situated between the River Exe and the River Teign and runs northwards from Teignmouth, on the coast, for about until it dwindles away north west of Exeter at the River Yeo, just south of Crediton...
, near Dawlish
Dawlish
Dawlish is a town and civil parish in Teignbridge on the south coast of Devon in England, from the county town of Exeter. It has a population of 12,819...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
; and halls of residence at Nottingham University. All are in an abstracted traditional style which is reminiscent of the work of his near-contemporary, Donald McMorran
Donald McMorran
Donald Hanks McMorran RA was an English architect who is known today for his sensitive continuation of the neo-Georgian and classical tradition in the period after the Second World War...
. Unbuilt designs included one for the National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
in London.