Osborne House (1845-51). Listed Building. East Cowes, Isle of
Wight, by Thomas Cubitt (1788-1855), with Prince Albert
(1819-1861). Prince Albert "preferred Royal Engineers and
builders to architects" (Turnor 86) for his building projects,
most probably because he could have more control over the
planning, and the two men got on well together. The original
Georgian mansion on the site was demolished, and an entirely new
and much bigger one built: "Albert provided the vision and
exercised a strong influence on the house's design and
construction in an Italian Renaissance palazzo style. The house
was clad in the builder's Belgravia fashion, which conformed to
the 'client's brief'" (Stewart 75). As well as the state rooms
and royal apartments, the interior has a grand corridor, which
functions as a sculpture gallery, providing display space for
works by the Prince's favourite sculptors. Prince Albert and
Cubitt also designed the beautiful formal terraced gardens
outside, which harmonise with the Italianate style