For the second exposition held in London, British organizers aimed to outdo not only their own success in 1851, but that of the French in 1855, as well.

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The multi-domed building constructed to house the expo, designed by Captain Francis Fowke, was made of brick and iron. It was originally intended to serve as a permanent home for future expositions, but was deconstructed after the event, with the materials repurposed in the construction of North London's Alexandra Palace.