I’m sure it could have been saved. The problem is that the rich benefactors want a statement building, not a renovated 40 year old one.
What's your favourite bit of brutalist architecture?
- Thread starter Yellow Fang
- Start date
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I’m sure it could have been saved. The problem is that the rich benefactors want a statement building, not a renovated 40 year old one.
Grant Fondo
Guru
- Location
- Cheshire
The great thing about Oxford is that can handle the odd bit of brutalist concrete. I would go as far as to say it adds variety to the (superb) stone and brick buildings on show.
matticus
Guru
Probably not much comfort for the poor sods that live/work in them!
Thanks Guy, I thought that I was going mad for a while as his own website doesn't even have it in his list of TV shows.
Bonefish Blues
Banging donk
- Location
- 52 Festive Road
Which? The trad or the modern?
Grant Fondo
Guru
- Location
- Cheshire
A mate from Uni was in one of the modern concrete halls of residence at Oxford and it was way better than my digs.
I’m going to that guy on the internet! I‘m very close to someone who was in the room when the decisions about the Tinbergen were made and unfortunately it was genuinely beyond saving. The costs for demolition plus rehoming the zoology and experimental psychology departments alone were eye-watering. The replacement Life and Mind building is being funded by the university without a major benefactor. There‘s more to the Tinbergen story that I won’t share but the dial is firmly pointing at Farce rather than Conspiracy.
Your wider point is taken though. The two highest profile benefactor buildings, the Saïd Business School and the Blavatnik School of Government both divide opinion for sure. From what I understand both are better inside than out.
matticus
Guru
Quite possibly the interior was: but probably in spite of the hideous exterior? Surely it would be nicer to have a pleasant exterior to come home to as well, allthingsbeingequal?
(I've seen very nice student accom interiors in both oldy-worldy and boring modern buildings.)
GuyBoden
Guru
- Location
- Warrington
I find these buildings fascinating, Runcorn, Southgate Estate built 1977, demolished 1992. The buildings were known locally as "Washing machines". Designed by James Stirling, the best of these buildings should have been refurbished and kept in my opinion. Shame.
These were built adjoining the Runcorn "Shopping City".
These were built adjoining the Runcorn "Shopping City".
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matticus
Guru
- Location
- London
that's an incredibly short life - why demolished so soon?
GuyBoden
Guru
- Location
- Warrington
I'd guess, because it became a problem social housing estate in a deprived area. Demolition of the whole estate was a real disgrace, considering that the less interesting James Stirling building, Branksome Conference Centre in Haslemere, Surrey is a Grade II* Listed Building.
The best of Southgate Estate Runcorn, the so called "Washing Machine" buildings, were unique and should have been restored, then Grade II* Listed, in my opinion.
Let us not forget that the Stirling Prize, the UK’s most prestigious architecture prize, was created in memory of James Stirling, who was the architect of many internationally renown buildings. Also, the architect of the Southgate, Runcorn Estate.
Below: James Stirling's Branksome Conference Centre in Haslemere, Surrey is a Grade II* Listed Building.
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Grant Fondo
Guru
- Location
- Cheshire
Stirling did some fine buildings, but Runcorn was flawed in a lot of ways. No one ever seems to blame the council for commissioning it with taxpayers money, clearly determined to get a radical scheme by a signature architect and 'show off'.
Parts of it were brutal indeed. Could he have allowed any less light into these deck windows? Rubbish.
Parts of it were brutal indeed. Could he have allowed any less light into these deck windows? Rubbish.
The Crofted Crest
Veteran
We went on a school trip to look at that estate back in the seventies. Absolutely awful place with no respect whatsoever for the people who lived there.
Grant Fondo
Guru
- Location
- Cheshire
How about this for some 117 year old pre-fabricated concrete?
