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RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ARCHITECTURAL AND STRUCTURAL FORM 49encounter other examples of contrasting forms in additions or modificationsto existing buildings, particularly given significant age differencesbetween the old and new work.The Reichstag cupola, discussed previously, is one of many such examplesreviewed by Byard. 15 While architectural and structural forms synthesizein the cupola itself, both contrast with those of the original building. Asimilar situation arises at the Great Court of the British Museum, London.A new canopy covers an irregularly shaped space between the circularReading Room and numerous neo-classical load-bearing wall buildingssurrounding the courtyard (Fig. 3.55). The canopy, a triangulated steelsurface structure, differs dramatically from the buildings it spans between.Greater differences in architectural and structural forms, materiality, anddegrees of lightness and transparency are hardly possible.As expected, the canopy has attracted considerable comment.Reviewers generally admire it. They point to its design and constructioncomplexity, its controlled day-lighting, and note its elegance, describingit as ‘floating’, ‘delicate’, and ‘unobtrusive’, at least when compared to anoriginal scheme with heavier orthogonal structure and reduced transparency.However, its billowing form is easier to comprehend fromabove than from within, where one experiences a visual restlessnessfrom the continuous triangulation of the doubly-curved surfaces. An▲ 3.55 The Great Court, British Museum, London, England, Foster and Partners, 2000.Triangulated lattice roof with the circular Reading Room on the left.