The Twentieth Century Society

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Put Forward

Co-op Building (Castle House), Angel Street, Sheffield; G S Hay, (1959-64) & Hadfield Cawkwell & Davidson (1962) incorporating glass-fibre sculpture of Vulcan by Boris Tietze, put forward at Grade II

The interior of the G S Hay part of this building is one of Sheffield’s modern gems. Full of interesting detail, tiling and artwork it’s just about as exuberant and avant-garde as the Co-op got. We have supported the listing of the entire building, including the later additional block, but have asked EH to pay special attention to the earlier part of the building.

The Florey Building, Queen's College, Oxford; James Stirling, 1971, put forward at Grade I

We first sought listing of James Stirling’s controversial design as long ago as 1999, but, although it was apparently considered as part of English Heritage’s thematic study of post-war university buildings, nothing further happened. In the light of new proposals from the College to modify the building (which has survived in a remarkably unaltered state and generally gThe Florey Building, Queen’s College, Oxford; James Stirling 1971, put forward at Grade I ood condition) we have again put it forward, supported by a comprehensive assessment of its architectural and historic significance, and recommending listing at Grade I, so that any alterations are sympathetic and appropriate. Important elements of Stirling’s design for this difficult site are the proportion and detailing of the glazed elevations to the open-sided courtyard, the tile cladding on the town side, and riverbank landscaping features. Together with the Leicester University Engineering Building (II*) and the History Faculty at Cambridge (II), the Florey is pivotal to the development of Stirling’s oeuvre and of outstanding significance both nationally and internationally.

One Acton Lane, (Burrows Fish and Chip Shop), Ealing, London, c1935

We put this forward with the guidance of The Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society (TACS) for its impressive set—piece interior and beautiful tilework by Polly Brace. It was listed within three weeks of the application. A great and very speedy result!

St Mary, Bourne Street, Westminster: Presbytery; HS Goodhart-Rendel 1922-4, put forward at Grade II*

Together with the Victorian Society, we put forward both the church (RJ Withers 1873-4, Grade II) and adjacent Presbytery (currently unlisted) for overall listing at Grade II*. Aside from their group merit, we feel the Presbytery (once a C19 pub called the Pineapple) has worth in its own right. Its detailing anticipates Goodhart-Rendel’s later work and internally there are notable fittings including Sanctuary panelling, Columbarium and Shrine of the True Cross by Roderick Gradidge (1974 and 1999). It is currently under threat of demolition.

Talk of the Town Nightclub, Northampton; J Roscoe Milne Partnership, 1977, put forward at Grade II

Described by Building Design at the time as a ‘multi-striped GRP extravaganza for a pigeon fancier’s club’, this building (by the J Roscoe Milne partnership) is under threat of demolition. The technologically innovative design clads a concrete frame with panels of buff, tan and light blue glass-reinforced-polyester which curve around the corners lending a streamlined appearance. Secondary elements are in red brick. Surviving examples of purpose-built nightclubs from the 1970s are rare and we know of none making use of GRP cladding, a material so typical of the decade.

Bletchley Leisure Centre, Milton Keynes; Faulkner-Brown Architects, 1973, put forward at Grade II

Another example of 1970s architecture—so much of which is in danger of disappearing before it has even been properly assessed—and another using GRP. A completely new leisure centre is already under way on the site, and we sought spot-listing for a key part of the old complex—the pyramid structure and the swimming pool it covers. CABE has criticised the new centre’s design and like them we feel the iconic steel-framed pyramid with its diamond-shaped GRP-glazed units could be retained as a significant aesthetic element of the new development. Faulkner-Brown more or less invented the 1970s concept of a covered leisure pool with a deck-level pool edge for both sports and social use, and Bletchley’s is among the earliest.

Sutton House, Victoria Street, London SW1; 1935, put forward at Grade II

We put forward this well-preserved pawnbroker’s shop and offices for spot-listing as it is under threat of demolition as part of the wholesale redevelopment of this part of Victoria. The six-storey Art Deco façade is in brick with Portland stone dressings. The opulent shop windows are framed in bronze with Deco details, and internally all wood fittings are original. While the building has merit in its own right, intact 1930s pawnbroker’s shops are also extremely rare.

Cripps Building, St John’s College, Cambridge; Powell & Moya, 1962-7, put forward at Grade II*

We supported an application to list this 200-room accommodation building, sharing concerns that current plans for refurbishment could threaten its architectural integrity inside and out. Some of its elements show continuity from Powell & Moya’s building for Brasenose College Oxford (1959-61, Grade II*) and Churchill Gardens Pimlico (1946-62, Grade II), while it also established a pattern for their later Oxbridge work. The building, in reinforced concrete with visually massive columns clad in Portland stone, cleverly complements its much older neighbours. Architectural Review said it achieved ‘the picturesque total effect many recent university projects on both sides of the Atlantic have sought, but not at the cost of logic and habitability’.

Kingsway Health Centre, Widnes; Austin T Parrott 1939, put forward at Grade II

This purpose-built health centre is a fine example of interwar Moderne, and also an important example of 1930s political will to improve health and welfare provision in NW England. Parrott is little known but was only in his 20s when he joined the Widnes Borough Engineer’s Department; he seems to have been mainly responsible for the Centre’s Deco aesthetic. In the 1950s and 60s he was Chief Architect for Walsall. The original metal windows and decorative ironwork of the symmetrical front elevation survive, while inside the stairwell features a huge window, green Vitrolite cladding and nickel-silver handrails. In use almost continuously until 2006, the building is now vacant, and while it seems well-secured against vandalism, it badly needs a new use. (See C20 website, Building of the Month, February 2008.)

St Laurence, Catford; Covell Matthews, 1967/8, put forward at Grade II

Ralph Covell’s practice was responsible for many churches in the Southwark diocese in the 50s and 60s and this is one of the most pleasing. The polygonal brick and concrete church is surmounted by a corona and has a 25ft steel and aluminium rocket-shaped spire (there was much talk of the ‘space-age’ church while it was being built). Inside the pews are arranged around the altar and there is fine abstract stained glass and an illuminated glass cross both by T Carter Shapland. An adjacent community centre, vicarage and flats were part of the brief. We have put the church forward for listing at Grade II.

Waterloo Station, London, SE1; Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners, 1990-4, put forward at Grade II

We supported SAVE’s listing campaign for Waterloo, London’s largest and many would say finest C20 rail terminus, where amazingly only the Victory Arch is currently listed. Nicholas Grimshaw and Partners’ award-winning International Terminal (1990-94—no longer in use following Eurostar’s move to St Pancras—is a particular concern for us. Network Rail is considering remodelling the whole station and converting Grimshaw’s shed to commercial and retail space. English Heritage has now advised the DCMS that the whole station (including the Grimshaw shed) should be listed Grade II.

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