The Twentieth Century Society

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Turned Down

Derwent Tower (Dunston Rocket), Gateshead, Tyneside; Owen Luder Partnership, 1973

English Heritage has concluded that Luder’s only residential development, the impressive and unique Dunston Rocket is not worthy of designation. In his own idiosyncratic take on Corb’s idea of high-rise living, with shops, nurseries and tenant facilities at the base, Rodney Gordon and Luder designed a complete estate with the ‘Rocket’ as a single element to house the couples and singles—it was never meant for families. Maisonette blocks on the ground provided for them. Built on unstable ground above disused mine shafts, the load of the building was spread by a series of elegant concrete ‘fins’. Neglected, empty and altered—largely due to the demolition of many of the lower rise buildings, EH concluded that it was not listable—paving the way for demolition. We have now fought for the three finest Luder/Gordon buildings ever constructed, The Tricorn, Trinity Car Park and the Rocket. EH has failed to recognise the architectural importance of any of them. 

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