Listings report, Winter 2006

Listed

St Catherine’s, Aylsham Road, Norwich, Norfolk; St Alban Caroe and AP Robinson, 1933-35, II*
This is the third 20th century building to be spot listed grade II* in Norwich in the last three years. This high grade came as rather a surprise as both C20 and Norwich City Council had recommended it at Grade II. The bold structure successfully integrates modern and traditional building materials and stylistic elements: while externally the design employs the more time honoured grey brick, the architects Alban Caroe and AP Robinson are already exploring the use of concrete for the bold barrel vaulting of the nave. There is a rare coherence of all internal fittings and the pulpit, altar, baptistry and choir stalls, as well as the light fittings are still completely original.
                        
Sea Roads, Cliff Parade, Penarth, Glamorgan,Wales;Gordon Griffiths, 1939, II
This private house is a rare example of Modernism within the Welsh context. We regard Sea Roads as being the domestic equivalent of the Sully Hospital which is also Grade II listed. It has been listed as an exceptionally well-preserved modernist house and has retained its original interior virtually intact.

Ironmonger Row Baths, Ironmonger Row, Islington, London; AWS & KMB Cross, 1931-38, II
Listed for  “retaining a significant proportion of its original plan and a number of internal 1930s fittings and finishes”. These beaux arts public baths on the boundary of Islington and Clerkenwell have long been thought special by the Society and we are extremely pleased that another example of AWB and KWB Cross’s elegant municipal building has been added to the list – even if it now means the wonderful period Turkish baths will be busier than ever.

Turned down

Hammonds Department Store, Ferensway, Kingston-upon-Hull, Humberside, TP Bennett & Son, 1952
Although English Heritage thought this a competent design, which married classicism with modernism, they thought it lacked the firm conviction and distinctive quality necessary to be added to the list. The store was the first to re-open after WWII and continues to hold a very prominent position in the city centre. Its future, considering the redevelopment of nearby areas, is by no means secure.

The Church of St George the Martyr, Elstan Way, Croydon, Surrey, John Leopold Denman Phase one (1952-53) completed 1966-67
Considered an interesting design by an already listed architect, the fact that the church was completed in two distinct phases, the second not to Denman’s original plan, seems to have counted against it. English Heritage paid tribute to the early nave, transepts and tower, but thought the Lady chapel, vestry and sanctuary lacked cohesion.

Put forward

City Hall, St Peter’s Street, Norwich, Norfolk; CH James and SR Pierce, 1932-38, II
This is undoubtedly the best City Hall of its time. The Norwich City Hall with its incredible variety of still existing original fittings and architectural details is still exceedingly well preserved. In this respect this is truly an exemplary and unique inter-war public building and it clearly sets itself apart from its Grade II listed counterparts. We have recommended that it be upgraded to Grade II* in order to preserve this complete ensemble.

Chapel of the Venerable Bede, Leazes Road, Durham Road, Co Durham, Seely & Paget, 1939
This remarkably complete chapel sits in the ground of Durham University on a hilltop site overlooking the campus. Although Deco in its overall scheme, it contains delicate touches of Gothic and Renaissance style and in the impressive buttresses that support the main body of the building, some understated Baroque detailing.  The interior furnishings all survive intact, including a cross by renowned restorer Stephen Dykes-Bower. We have put the building forward for Grade II listing.

Edinburgh Sports Dome, Malvern Girls' College, Imperial Road, Malvern, Worcestershire Godwin and Cowper 1977-78
We have supported the request of local campaign group for listing at Grade II. The building falls right on the edge of the thirty year listing rule, (it turns thirty in May 2007). We hope therefore that EH take that into consideration and is  flexible.

Maiden Lane Estate, Agar Grove, Camden, London, Gordon and Benson for LB Camden Architects’ Department 1976-81
Branch Hill Estate, off Branch Hill, London, Gordon and Benson for LB Camden Architects’ Department 1974-76
Dunboyne Road Estate (formerly Fleet Road Estate), Camden, London, Neave Brown for LB Camden Architects Department 1966-69

Camden Architects’ Dept was run from 1965, after the amalgamation of Holborn, St Pancras and Hampstead, by Sidney Cook, who was pivotal in recruiting young talent. Under his directorate both Neave Brown and Benson and Forsyth worked for the department, designing a number of highly complex, modernist housing schemes that istead of employing the typical 1950s model of high rise, offered low-rise, dual-aspect accommodation. The elegance of these estates is not lost, despite Maiden Lane never having had any maintenance - we have put them forward as follows.

Maiden Lane – Grade II
Dunboyne Road - Grade II*
Branch Hill – Grade II*

St Saviour’s Church, Fairweather Green, Leeds, George Pace 1966
Pace’s use of exposed brick, limed-oak beams and concrete mark out St Saviour’s as one of the most complete statements of his grand ethos for modern church design.
The Corbusian-inspired fenestration and progressive interior layout hinted at Pace’s love for the modern, whilst his honesty with materials harked back to the early-gothic churches he so admired. We have put this forward for listing at Grade II.

Demolished

Christ Curch, Norris Green, Liverpool, Merseyside, Quiggin & Gee, 1931-32, Unlisted
Having been the subject of a serious amount of vandalism, this large suburban church in the Neo-Romanesque style was finally demolished on the 25th August 2006.  Worryingly, the church had fallen through all the safeguards and nets held out to save it and under ecclesiastical exemption law section 18, the Diocese of Liverpool acted all too swiftly to condemn and then destroy the building. A sad loss for the Society and indeed the heritage of this area of Liverpool.

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