Cyril Leonard Sjöström Mardall (21 November 1909 – 1 June 1994) born Cyril Leonard Sjöström was a Finnish-born British modernist architect. In Finland, he is best known for the Finnish Seamen's Church in London, completed in 1958, which he began designing before World War II.[1] During his career, Mardall designed many schools and educational institutions, including buildings for the University of Warwick and Southwark Library in London.
Cyril Mardall | |
|---|---|
| Born | Cyril Leonard Sjöström November 21, 1909 Helsinki, Finland |
| Died | June 1, 1994 (aged 84) London, United Kingdom |
| Citizenship | Finnish (1909 - 1928)
British (from 1929) |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Known for | Finnish Seamen's Church, London; University of Warwick buildings |
| Spouse | June Park |
| Parent(s) | Einar Sjöström and Phyllis Eleanor née Mardall |
Life and career
editCyril Sjöström was born in Helsinki to architect Einar Sjöström and English opera singer Phyllis Eleanor Sjöström née Mardall.[2] He studied at the Nya Svenska Läroverket (New Swedish School) in Helsinki and moved to London with his mother in the mid-1920s after his father's death. In England he began using his mother's maiden name Mardall as his surname, and obtained British citizenship in 1928.[3][4] In 1929, he relinquished his Finnish citizenship.[5][6]
In London, he studied architecture at the Northern Polytechnic from 1927 to 1931 and won a scholarship to the Architectural Association Schools, where he received his diploma in 1932.[7]
After graduating, Mardall returned to Finland to work for architect Ole Gripenberg on a design for the 1940 Helsinki Olympic Games stadium which won second place.[3] He moved back to London in 1933, establishing his own architectural practice and designing prefabricated timber-framed houses. During this time, he also began teaching at the Architectural Association.[7]
During World War II, Mardall served as an intelligence officer in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve until 1944, when he was seconded to the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.[7]
In 1944, Mardall founded the architectural firm Yorke Rosenberg Mardall with F. R. S. Yorke and Eugene Rosenberg.[8] Yorke, Rosenberg & Mardall offices were established in London and later in Hong Kong, Singapore, Nigeria, Cairo, Egypt, and Sydney, Australia. In the late 1950s, Mardall assisted Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen during the construction phase of the United States Embassy in London.[9] Later, he actively promoted cultural connections between Finland and Britain.[3] Mardall retired from the company in 1975.[7] The firm is today part of RMJM.[10]
From the mid-1970s onwards, he designed buildings in Ireland and the Caribbean in partnership with his wife June Park (1920–2018).[3][11] Cyril Mardall died in London on 1 June 1994.[7]
Notable works
edit- Finnish Seamen's Church, London (1958)
- Barclay Secondary School, Stevenage, Hertfordshire (1950)
- Queensmead Secondary Modern School, Ruislip, Middlesex (1953)
- Gatwick Airport, Surrey (1958–88)
- University of Warwick buildings (1960s)
- St Thomas' Hospital, London (1966-75)
- Hull Royal Infirmary, Yorkshire (1967)
- Magistrates Courts, Manchester (1971)
References
edit- ^ "New Finnish church planned for London would cost 2 million marks according to completed proposal". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 1936-12-03. p. 9.
- ^ "Mardall, Cyril Leonard Sjöström (1909–1994), architect". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-55126. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ a b c d "Kuolleita | Arkkitehti Cyril Mardall Lontoon suomalaisen merimieskirkon suunnittelija". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 1994-06-19. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ "Citizenship rights". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 1929-01-31. p. 3.
- ^ "Kansalaisoikeudet". Helsingin Sanomat. 31 January 1929. p. 3.
- ^ "Laulajatar Phyllis Sjöström Englannissa". Helsingin Sanomat. 28 January 1928. p. 8.
- ^ a b c d e "Mardall, Cyril Leonard Sjöström 1909 - 1994 | AHRnet". architecture.arthistoryresearch.net. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ Melvin, Jeremy (1997). Obituary: David Allford. The Independent. Monday 18 August 1997.
- ^ "USA's embassy building rises in London with Finnish expertise. Eero Saarinen and Cyril Sjöström Mardall collaborate". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 1956-09-18. p. 7.
- ^ "YRM sold to RMJM". 23 December 2011.
- ^ "Park, Hilary June 1920 - 2018 | AHRnet". architecture.arthistoryresearch.net. Retrieved 2025-03-23.