The Twentieth Century Society

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Put Forward

62 Camden Mews, London, 1962-4, Knox House II, Nayland, Suffolk, 1969-71 / Garrett House, Eltham, London, 1966 / Law House, North Marden, West Sussex, 1966-68 Horder House, Petersfield, Hampshire, 1958-60

These private houses, all to design by Edward Cullinan, are of exceptional quality. Horder House, virtually self-built by the architect, is currently on the market with planning permission to be replaced. We hope for a quick and positive outcome on the case which has been supported by well known architects, including Richard Rogers.

Gulbenkian Centre, Main University Campus, Hull, Yorkshire; Peter Moro and Partners (partner in charge: Michael Heard), 1969

This was the first theatre for a university drama department. It features a flexible stage and auditorium to accommodate different performance and seating arrangements.

Odeon, 24-26 Leicester Square, Westminster, London; Harry Weedon, Andrew Mather and Thomas Braddock, 1937

There is a threat to subdivide the auditorium to accommodate use as a multiplex. This is the last remaining full size auditorium of the original Odeon circuit - all others have been either demolished, gutted internally or are subdivided. The Odeon at Leicester Square enjoys an iconic status in Britain and beyond. The film opening nights and awards draw celebrities and crowds and give the square the glamorous air of the rich and famous. These events will no longer be possible at this venue if the large auditorium with its seating capacity of almost 2000 is lost.

School Dining and Assembly Hall, Brunswick Park Primary School, Picton Street, Southwark, London, SE5; James Stirling and James Gowan, 1961-2

Built as an extension to a Victorian School building, the design is based on a square plan divided into four smaller squares. It features mono pitched roofs with glazed facades on three sides to let light flood into the building which is locally known as the 'Butterfly building'. Set on steeply ramped grass banks it is rigorously composed and landscaped.

Middleton Hall with Chapel and Larkin Building, University of Hull, Cottingham, Hull; Sir Leslie Martin, 1962-7

Concert and lecture hall; this is one of the few buildings considered entirely Martin's own work. In 1958 he produced a development plan for the University campus. The plan envisaged buildings on a loose grid in a generous park setting and was adhered to, even after his death.

Kilsyth Academy, Balmalloch, Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire; Basil Spence with William Kininmonth, 1937-9, 1954, with later additions

A substantial and well detailed building overlooking the valley of Kilsyth with a prominent tower and terrazzo lining and other original internal features throughout.

Hammonds Department Store, Ferensway, Hull, Yorkshire; TP Bennett and Son, 1950

Arguably the best post-war building in the centre of Hull, this is an interesting stylistic combination of 1930s and Festival of Britain elements. With Hull city centre under pressure of redevelopment, Hammond’s future might be endangered.

Bandstand, Gloucester Park, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, 1934

While there are many listed and unlisted Victorian bandstands and there may be other George V bandstands in this country, they are indeed very rare. This bandstand is threatened with demolition as part of the improvements planned for Gloucester Park.

Gravesend Civic Centre, Kent; HT Cadbury-Brown (job architect: Brian Richards), 1964-68

This is an interesting complex arranged around a central courtyard, housing offices in a slab block and council chamber and committee rooms in sculptural concrete volumes.

Vincent House, Warren Road, Kingston, Surrey; Kenneth Wood, 1958

A private house built to a complex brief accommodating a large room planned acoustically for music recitals. The building's most prominent external feature is the architect's use of cedar boarding which faces the whole of the first floor and accentuates the split pitched roof. There is a planning application to replace this good and representative building with a block of flats.

Northcott Theatre, Exeter, Devon; Sir William Holford and Partners (with Michael Ware), 1967

There is currently a scheme to extend and alter this austere brick building with a rather lightweight addition. The theatre has a good foyer which is still in its original condition with floor tiling and a Barbara Hepworth sculpture.

Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, South Yorkshire; Renton Howard Wood Ass. (associate Nicholas Thompson), 1969-71

This theatre is famous not only for the yearly snooker championships but also for the form of its stage: a thin tongue shape with steeply raked seats, this developed the important Chichester stage form further. The foyer area, embracing the auditorium, features dramatic ceilings and impressive views across to the Park Hill Estate.

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