Listings report, Winter 2007/08

Added

25 Montpelier Row, Twickenham, Middlesex; Geoffrey Darke, 1967
Built by Geoffrey Darke for himself and having to fit in to the setting of an important historic Georgian terrace. Listed at Grade II.

House on Lake Garda, Italy; Maurizio Betta, 1973
An unusual case for us because it is international. Because the building was under significant risk of redevelopment we were asked to support an application to the Italian Ministries to place this building under historic protection. The Casework Committee was impressed with this exciting concrete building that seems to anticipate future developments such as the use of concrete by Zaha Hadid. This house should be considered as an outstanding work of its period, not least because as a private residence and studio, it is a rare typology in Italy and indeed in Europe. The house has now been listed.

Crucible Theatre, Tudor Sq, Sheffield, Yorks; RHWL, 1969–71
This innovative post-war theatre has been listed at Grade II. Praised for its unusual, seven-sided auditorium and open stage, the Crucible commands a significant place in the history of theatre design in Britain.

Church of St Saviour, Thornton Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, George Pace, 1965
Beautifully complete, this late church by George Pace has been listed at Grade II. Unassuming from the outside perhaps, St Saviour was praised for its massing and composition. The interior was singled out for specific mention. A mix of brick, shuttered concrete and wood topped by an asymmetric roof, it was praised for conveying a dramatic sense of space and light.

Turned down

The Barbican Estate: Milton Court, City, London; Chamberlin, Powell & Bon, 1956–81, unlisted
The Certificate of Immunity was granted against the advice of English Heritage, CABE, the Twentieth Century Society and considerable public support. This is a devastating outcome of a long fought battle.

Put forward

Botanic Gardens Garage, 24 Vinicombe Street, Glasgow; David V Wyllie, 1912, B
Put forward for Category A for its extreme rarity in terms of preserving the architecture of automobile history. See Eva Branscome’s casework report.

Ten Bell Court, Wellington Green and Grapes Hill, Norwich, Norfolk; Edward Skipper (job architects D Cooper and A Teather), 1971–6
A development of 108 dwellings within a parkland setting. Very interesting for the integration of landscaping and historic setting with remnants of the old city wall and a Norman Church tower. Although the Society registered strong opposition, an application for planning permission to demolish part of this site was granted in October. The development has been put forward at Grade II.

The Roan School, Maze Hill, Greenwich, Banister Fletcher and PB Dannatt, 1926
Under significant threat from development despite standing in a World Heritage site, this fine Neo-Georgian school on Maze Hill has been put forward at Grade II.

Wallington Town Hall, Carshalton, Surrey; Robert Atkinson, 1935
This fine town hall is typical of Atkinson, well-mannered, handsome and slightly quirky. An austere, Swedish-inspired, front hides the moderne rear entrance which backs onto Italianate gardens behind. Put forward at Grade II.

The Ashmount Cockerel Hornsey Road, Islington, London; David Willats, 1956
Standing proudly on the wall of Ashmount Primary School, which is under threat of demolition, this lively, rather abstract cockerel is a masterpiece of post-war public art. Constructed on the site with found building materials by a student of HT Cadbury Brown, David Willatts, the cockerel has become a local landmark. We have put the sculpture forward at Grade II*.

William Mitchell Murals, Islington Green Primary School, Islington, London; 1963–4
Fine murals by this prolific and diverse post-war designer who is better known for his work in concrete. The primary school is under threat of demolition and we are hoping to secure a listing for the murals so they can be saved. This is the first listing case for our forthcoming murals campaign.

Carlisle Civic Centre, Rickergate, Carlisle; Charles Pearson, Son & Partners 1960–4
Put forward as part of a wider case that involves the whole Rickergate area of Carlisle. The Civic Centre despite flood damage a few years ago has a fine collection of post-war art and design and a distinctive octagonal council chamber.

Robin Hood Gardens, Poplar, Tower Hamlets, Alison and Peter Smithson, 1972
Already the subject of a COI request by Tower Hamlets, RHG faces demolition as part of the new Blackwall Reach regeneration program. Surrounded by an acoustic concrete wall and facing inwards across generous landscaping, RHG remains a touchstone for any discussion about the Smithsons or post-war public housing. Now functioning more successfully than ever and regularly open on ‘Open House’ we hope RHG can be saved through listing.

Parkham Wood, Parkham Road, Brixham, Devon; Mervyn T Seal, 1960 Mervyn Seal is an architect the Society is keen to find out more about. This early house, still in remarkably complete condition thanks to the current owners, is Seal’s most daring. Dramatically straddling a cliff face with a wall of glazing at the front, we very much hope EH can list Parkham Wood as the most complete surviving example of Seal’s ‘Butterfly Houses’.

Historic Scotland
Post-War listing consultations

In spring we had been consulted on the thematic Survey of Peter Womersley’s buildings which we had endorsed. The following outcomes have resulted:

The Rig, Gattonside, Melrose Parish, Scotland; Peter Womersley, 1957
Listed by HS at Category B.

High Sunderland, Galashiels, Selkirk, Scotland; Peter Womersley, 1958
Listed by HS at Category A.

Hermandflat Unit, Haddington, Scotland; Peter Womersley, 1965
Listed by HS at Category B.

Boiler House at former Dingleton Hospital, Chiefswood Road, Melrose, Scotland; Peter Womersley, 1977
Currently unlistable due to a live planning application (Scottish peculiarity: buildings cannot be considered for listing if there is a planning application. This is a real threat to C20 buildings in particular, since we often are not made aware of the importance of a building unless it is under threat.)

Church Square, Galashiels, Scotland; Peter Womersley, 1963
The C20 had suggested this would merit listing at Category B. While HS was minded not to list this development it will be reconsidered as part of a wider survey on post-war housing at which point we will again be consulted.

Nuffield Transplantation Unit at Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland; Peter Womersley, 1968
Minded not to list by HS. Suggested for listing at Category B by C20. Again, there is currently a live planning application, so not listable at this time. We have been informed that it is likely to be reconsidered when this area of Edinburgh is resurveyed at a future point in time.

Group Practice Consulting Rooms, Inch Road, Kelso, Scotland; Peter Womersley, 1967
Minded not to list by HS. Suggested for listing at Category C(S) by C20. Turned down for listing because considered too altered.

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