The Twentieth Century Society (C20) is highlighting some of Britain’s most dynamic and expressive buildings that have been lost as the speed of demolition increasingly outpaces heritage recognition.
C20 writes:
‘Some of Britain’s most dynamic and expressive buildings are being lost to the developers’ wrecking ball because the speed of demolition increasingly outpaces heritage recognition’, says Catherine Croft, Director of campaign group, the Twentieth Century Society. She made the claims as the Society publishes a ‘Lost Modern’ list of the top 10 buildings from the Twentieth Century which have been demolished.
The Lost Modern List, the first of its kind to be published, includes a civic building, social housing, two shopping centres & car park, a library, two private houses, two factories and a supermarket.
She went on to say: ’The planning system is failing to protect some of our most outstanding buildings by the top architects of the post war period. All buildings age and need sensitive care and adaptation. Sadly the misconception that buildings constructed from modern materials like concrete and steel don’t need regular maintenance means that many neglected buildings are wrongly perceived as having failed, when all they need is modest refurbishment. Many of these lost buildings might have been saved through good management. Times change and uses change too and our good buildings need to be sympathetically adapted, not as is often the case, wilfully destroyed and replaced by cheap, quick fix solutions that will please no one and not stand the test of time.’
This C20 Society top 10 Lost Modern List aims to raise awareness of this threat to our heritage:
- Robin Hood Gardens by Alison and Peter Smithson (1972-2017)
- The Firestone Building by Wallis, Gilbert and Partners (1928-1980)
- Greenside by Connell, Ward and Lucas (1937-2003)
- Birmingham Central Library by John Madin (1974-2016)
- The Silhouette Corset Factory by Robert Townsend and structural engineer Hugh Tottenham (1960-2002)
- Sainsbury’s Greenwich Store, by Paul Hinkin of Chetwood Associates (1999-2016)
- The Tricorn Centre by Rodney Gordon of Owen Luder Partnership (1966-2004)
- The Trinity Square Car Park & Shopping Centre by Rodney Gordon of Owen Luder Partnership (1969-2010)
- Milton Court by Chamberlin, Powell & Bon (1959-2008)
- Horder House Edward Cullinan (1960-2005)
Sadly, this list represents just the tip of the iceberg of lost modern buildings; more examples will be added to this site over the coming weeks and months.
