This material is of interest in demonstrating Kendrew's meticulous care for what others might consider matters of minor importance but which he rightly saw as creating a harmonious ambience and a powerful contribution to the laboratory's smooth working. His chief consultants were the Design Research Unit then headed by Sir Mischa Black, working in conjunction with the architects and a small committee from the laboratory, but it is very clear that he took an active personal part in decisions. His memorandum of 12 April 1976 which begins "As you know, I attach great importance to problems of aesthetics and design in the laboratory", indicates the range of his preoccupations in this regard: they include internal and external lighting, floor coverings, sanitary fittings, wall and door colours, furniture and fittings for canteen, library and seminar rooms, direction signs and lettering, stationery, landscaping, soft furnishings, china and cutlery, reading lamps, notice boards and ash-trays.

Folder H.47. Correspondence, memoranda, notes of meetings, visits and costs etc. mainly 1976-1978 but a little later material to 1980, with Design Research Unit and others.

Folder H.48. Notes, designs, correspondence on all aspects of stationery and graphic design, including letter head, application forms, covers for annual and research reports, manuals and brochures. Also includes correspondence with Gertrud Szilard and others on bookplate for the Leo Szilard Library approved by EMBL Council in December 1978 as official name of library in commemoration of Szilard's support in early days of EMBO. Kendrew's speech at the opening of the laboratory had referred to Szilard's creative role and his own wish to perpetuate it. Here also Kendrew was personally active in designing or approving items.

Folder H.49. Miscellaneous catalogues of supplies and equipment referred to in correspondence, n.d.