Week Six [Project Development Notes]
Brutalism and Brighton Research
This week, I aimed to find out more about a style of architecture that seemed to occur in a majority of practice shoots regarding my theme of symmetry – Brutalism. A friend of mine named Conor Paul (studies a BA in Architecture at Brighton University) pointed this out to me when he saw the test shoots I had been doing for my project that I had shared on my social media accounts regarding my project. He added me to a Facebook group “The Brutalism Appreciation Society” as he felt it would be a good resource for all things to related to brutalist architecture and further the development of my photography project. His recommendation about looking specifically at brutalist subjects for my project encouraged me to do more research into the debates behind this style architecture and where this is represented in Brighton.
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/sep/28/grey-pride-brutalist-architecture-back-in-style
Theodore Dalrymple, a British author, physican, and political commentator, has written for City Journal that brutalist structures represent an artifact of European philosophical totalitarianism, a "spiritual, intellectual, and moral deformity." He called the buildings "cold-hearted", "inhuman", "hideous", and "monstrous". He stated that the reinforced concrete "does not age gracefully but instead crumbles, stains, and decays", which makes alternative building styles superior.[7]
[7] Theodore Dalrymple (Autumn 2009). "The Architect as Totalitarian" (http://www.city-journal.org/2009/19_4_otbie-le-corbusier.html). City Journal. . Retrieved January 4, 2010.
Brutalism in Brighton – Locations
Embassy Court
Where: Brighton seafront on the corner of Western Street and the Kings Road
Who: Wells Coates
When: Completed in 1935
What: An impressive example of pre-war early Modernism, this 11-storey apartment block has all the features associated with the Modern Movement including concrete framing.
Falmer House
Where: University of Sussex
Who: Sir Basil Spence
When: 1959 – 1962
What: Basil Spence and Partners were commissioned to build Falmer House in 1959. The completed building featured concrete vaults and arches that contrasted dramatically with the red brick faces. Serving as the main campus building, it marked the beginning of the first phase of Spence’s masterplan for the university. He said of the project: “I feel that one of the most important things is that a university should give the student a feeling of confidence.”
Bedford Hotel (Holiday Inn)
Where: 137 Kings Road
Who: R. Seifert and Partners
When: Opened in 1967
What: Replacing an existing hotel that was destroyed by fire in 1964, the Holiday Inn is a 17-storey Modernist block designed by Swiss-British architect, R. Seifert who was best known for designing the Centrepoint tower.
The Brighton Centre Brighton
Where: Kings Road, Brighton Seafront
Who: Russell Diplock
When: Opened in 1977
What: Commissioned by Brighton Council, the iconic Brighton Centre is an example of Brutalist architecture with its use of concrete and strong geometric shapes. As a venue it has held numerous party political conferences as well as Bob Marley, Bing Crosby and ‘The Who, all of whom performed at the Brighton Centre.
National Spiritualist Church
Where: 144 Edward Street
Who: Bev Pike of Overton & Partners
When: 1965
What: Kidney-shaped and oval-shaped sections connected by a lower rectangular corridor section which forms the main entrance. The kidney-shaped and oval sections are formed of concrete blocks laid vertically, without windows, to form starkly unperforated walls softened through their sinuous forms. The smooth angular entrance building contrasts with this. It replaced a church in Mighell Street. Source: Antram & Pevsner 2013, Collis 2010
Sussex Heights
Where: St. Margaret’s Place
Who: Richard Seifert
When: 1966-1968
What: This 102m-high block of flats is still the tallest residential building on the south coast. Originally clad in white mosaic tiles, these had degraded so badly by 1995 that they were removed and the entire building was re-coated in a white elastomeric bonding paint. The flats are part of an exhibition hall and car park complex also designed by Seifert.
Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts
Where: University of Sussex
Who: Sir Basil Spence (renovated by RH Partnership architects)
When: 1969
What: After a nine-year period of renovation and refurbishment, this revered and much-loved arts centre (originally designed by Sir Basil Spence and opened as the Gardner Arts Centre as part of University of Sussex campus in 1969) is reopening. The building takes its new title in tribute to the University’s former Chancellor Lord (Richard) Attenborough and his family. The building was restored by Brighton based RH Partnership architects, working in collaboration with Anne Minors theatre consultants and Soundspace design. The architects’ restoration of the Grade II* listed building was nominated for a RIBA regional award.
Location Information Sources:
Burt Brill & Cardens (2015) Brighton Architecture: A Guide Available at: http://www.bbc-law.co.uk/legal-news/brighton-architecture-a-guide/ (Accessed: November 2016).
Brighton & Hove City Council (2015) Edward Street, National Spiritualist church, Brighton Historic Building. Available at: https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/sites/brighton-hove.gov.uk/files/LLHA%20Edward%20Street,%20Spiritualist%20Church%20v2%20180615.pdf (Accessed: November 2016).
Institute of Historic Building Conservation [IHBC] (2016) ‘Brutalism’ in Architectural Styles - Designing Buildings. Available at: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Architectural_styles#Brutalism (Accessed: November 2016).
Ijeh, I. (2011) The Notorious Work of Richard Seifert. Available at: http://www.building.co.uk/the-notorious-work-of-richard-seifert/5027597.article (Accessed: November 2016).
Attenborough Centre Website (no date) Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts: The Building. Available at: https://www.attenboroughcentre.com/about-us/the-building/ (Accessed: November 2016).
No comments:
Post a Comment