Brutalist Architecture

[stony]

And anyone familiar with Runcorn will recognise this monstrosity...

No wonder old Charlie-boy labelled buildings like these "carbunkles".

Shopping City by any chance ? Although it must be over 10 years since I've been to Runcorn

 

[Tarlos Kevez]

Shopping City by any chance ? Although it must be over 10 years since I've been to Runcorn

Certainly is mate!

 

[pinkwheeltrim]

Wow! I didn't think so many of you would be into this stuff,here's a few more beauties!



The Halifax Building in Halifax

and the worlds worst hotel/crack house (although I love the place)
The Kirby park in Burnley

I actually prefer flats to commercial buildings though. I have fond memories of the old Trafalger flats in Burnley, and when I was at uni in Newcastle I had a lovely view of the (frankly bonkers) Dulston Rocket in Gateshead.


I think Brutalism was the architecture of optimism, unfortunately,the vision ended up being watered down and done on the cheap by local councils. It doesn't help that concrete really doesn't cope too well with damp climates. I think we should be trying to save the good examples of this form of architecture for future generations to marvel at. The good ones(of which there are many) are still good buildings that work.



As for the poster knocking Shipley Market hall,Look again when that tower is lit up at night,it seems to float in the air like a beautiful spaceship,it never fails to bring a smile and a sense of wonder to my face!



This is a great site for Tower Block fans.
http://fields.eca.ac.uk/gis/?page_id=92

 

[Big G]

Truely hideous

 

[Ducado]

Truely hideous

There are people who want this building preserving!

Although I do agree that it was quite an optimistic genre of architecture, encompassing all that was new and modern, but it was an unmitigated disaster that not only blighted our towns and cities but the lives of people

 

[mrt4919]

Its 1950's communist design statements lacking in any architectural merit.
Embraced by the UK in the early 60's with the realisation of cheap cost effective building.
No consideration on the design as fit for purpose, never even entered the equation, Hulme flats a classic example of shoddy building design, damp and a muggers paradise but good enough for the poor of Manchester thanks to an idiot left wing council.
Wonder how many palms were greased in securing the contract in the first place ?
No admission of council negligence in over seeing the build of modern slums worse than the terraced they replaced and communities destroyed.
Pulled down within 20 years without an apology for being built in the first place.

 

[Ducado]

Its 1950's communist design statements lacking in any architectural merit.
Embraced by the UK in the early 60's with the realisation of cheap cost effective building.
No consideration on the design as fit for purpose, never even entered the equation, Hulme flats a classic example of shoddy building design, damp and a muggers paradise but good enough for the poor of Manchester thanks to an idiot left wing council.
Wonder how many palms were greased in securing the contract in the first place ?
No admission of council negligence in over seeing the build of modern slums worse than the terraced they replaced and communities destroyed.
Pulled down within 20 years without an apology for being built in the first place.

I agree with your sentiments however you have to remember that as a society we just did not have an understanding about what problems these buildings would cause , I remember seeing a film about some of the flats when they were built, people were thrilled just to have an inside toilet and bathroom, it was a time when all that was old was bad and all that was new good, and as a style it emphasised that.

I can't really see how councils could be held negligent, they were trying to find a solution to housing problems, despite the rosy view of the the past things were not good.

It was a huge mistake, and many lessons have been learnt

 

[mrt4919]

Its 1950's communist design statements lacking in any architectural merit.
Embraced by the UK in the early 60's with the realisation of cheap cost effective building.
No consideration on the design as fit for purpose, never even entered the equation, Hulme flats a classic example of shoddy building design, damp and a muggers paradise but good enough for the poor of Manchester thanks to an idiot left wing council.
Wonder how many palms were greased in securing the contract in the first place ?
No admission of council negligence in over seeing the build of modern slums worse than the terraced they replaced and communities destroyed.
Pulled down within 20 years without an apology for being built in the first place.

I agree with your sentiments however you have to remember that as a society we just did not have an understanding about what problems these buildings would cause , I remember seeing a film about some of the flats when they were built, people were thrilled just to have an inside toilet and bathroom, it was a time when all that was old was bad and all that was new good, and as a style it emphasised that.

I can't really see how councils could be held negligent, they were trying to find a solution to housing problems, despite the rosy view of the the past things were not good.

It was a huge mistake, and many lessons have been learnt

I guess in typical socialist doublespeak thats an apology or an admission of negligence in failing to provide housing fit for purpose by the council.
The arguement that the extreme left wing Manchester council are not at fault for the approval and finance in the construction of modern slums in 60's Hulme is foolish maybe we should blame American Imperialism.
Corruption was rife within the building industry at the time .

 

[Meester Pees]

Its 1950's communist design statements lacking in any architectural merit.
Embraced by the UK in the early 60's with the realisation of cheap cost effective building.
No consideration on the design as fit for purpose, never even entered the equation, Hulme flats a classic example of shoddy building design, damp and a muggers paradise but good enough for the poor of Manchester thanks to an idiot left wing council.
Wonder how many palms were greased in securing the contract in the first place ?
No admission of council negligence in over seeing the build of modern slums worse than the terraced they replaced and communities destroyed.
Pulled down within 20 years without an apology for being built in the first place.

You're simply wrong - Shall we go back to the slums these flats replaced? And they weren't called slums for nothing - Fancy living in a gaffe with one single cold tap in the entire place?

Most of the problems (apart from exceptions like Forts Beswick & Ardwick) stemmed from the social circumstances the majority of the tenants found themselves in.

Most of these estates represent an opportunity lost that will never be repeated. And replaced by what? Housing Association gaffes with tiny windows.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

I agree with your sentiments however you have to remember that as a society we just did not have an understanding about what problems these buildings would cause , I remember seeing a film about some of the flats when they were built, people were thrilled just to have an inside toilet and bathroom, it was a time when all that was old was bad and all that was new good, and as a style it emphasised that.

I can't really see how councils could be held negligent, they were trying to find a solution to housing problems, despite the rosy view of the the past things were not good.

It was a huge mistake, and many lessons have been learnt

I guess in typical socialist doublespeak thats an apology or an admission of negligence in failing to provide housing fit for purpose by the council.
The arguement that the extreme left wing Manchester council are not at fault for the approval and finance in the construction of modern slums in 60's Hulme is foolish maybe we should blame American Imperialism.
Corruption was rife within the building industry at the time .

Ducado 'aint no socialist mate, imo.