SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

I had a walk around the site the other day as this landmark building nears completion. The whole structure is clad in steel which has immediately rusted and is really quite a beautiful colour. The window frames are powder coated dark gray which complement the rust colour. There is an area in the central courtyard which is a raised grassed area and they have re sited the unions coat of arms which is made of sandstone into a blank wall of the building. I found it really photogenic but I only take B&W 35mm film but it is worth a visit. There is a Blue Plaque in the courtyard area which is worth seeing. Pick a sunny day to get the best from the building. The rusted fenestration really glows under strong sunlight

I thought I wouldn't like it when I heard about but actualy quite like it. I thought it was the media dept though?

Each to their own I suppose but I have found lots of people who don't like it and only you two with positive comments about it. It is part of the Leeds Met "Broadcasting Place" development and will soon be the new home for the Faculty of Arts and the Society http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/as/index_broa ... _place.htm

I pass the building frequently on buses from Headingley and in all honesty, before reading this, I thought that the orange "finish" was a very pleasing new material. Now that I've found that it is rust its definitely lost its appeal I'm afraid.

I'm in two minds about this place, i'm not sure if i really like it or not.It's certainly different, that needs commending i think.Only time will tell if it will weather better, or look an absolute disgrace.I'm going to have a closer look at it to get some shots for my Leeds building and architecture flickr set.I like the more unusual buildings in Leeds.The set is here.http://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn ... detail/I'm sure a lot of Leeds folk won't have seen half these buildings. A lot of course are well known Looking out of the window on a rather breezy day, a colleague took some persuading that this place hadn't come to grief - I could see what he meant. We'll probably hate it only to love it (ala Poulson and the pool!) when it's ready to finish falling over

Is that it finished then? I thought that there was some stalling or something on it and they were going to finish cladding it.I'm not sure the rusty look is that great

That's my view too LS1. The weathered steel loooks fine on the John Smeaton Viaduct but to make a new building look like a rusting hulk particularly one that is in a fairly prominent location!!!!

[Excuse the photo above, but look at the building in the background]. One of the shops on Camden High St had its glass facia replaced by untreated sheet steel. It looked quite good when it was new but it now looks like [that brown smelly stuff] or a gas holder - so I suppose it actually blends in well with the rest of Camden. I often wonder how rubbish like this gets past the planners.     

Phill_dvsn wrote: I'm in two minds about this place, i'm not sure if i really like it or not.It's certainly different, that needs commending i think.Only time will tell if it will weather better, or look an absolute disgrace.I'm going to have a closer look at it to get some shots for my Leeds building and architecture flickr set.I like the more unusual buildings in Leeds.The set is here.http://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn ... detail/I'm sure a lot of Leeds folk won't have seen half these buildings. A lot of course are well known      You missed out this building Phill, it could have it's own section. A pile of cr*p.

Yeah, Chris - especially as it's right next to the Corn Exchange.