SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/841 ... edPost-war buildings at the University of Leeds which created world-wide interest when they were built have been listed on the recommendation of English Heritage.Post-war buildings at the University of Leeds which created world-wide interest when they were built have been listed by the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) on the recommendation of English Heritage. Modernist structures including the striking Roger Stevens Building (Grade II*) have been listed along with others including the Henry Price Residence and the Edward Boyle Library (all Grade II). The decision to list the buildings reflects their architectural interest and that they were based on a ground-breaking masterplan which was widely influential in the development of other university campuses. If only we had more ground breaking buildings like these around the city.Architectural design for university buildings in the UK was regarded to be in a largely poor state in the post-war period up to the 1960s. The architects behind the University of Leeds' expansion - Chamberlin Powell and Bon (CPB) - attempted to break the mould and present a modern, ambitious vision that reflected both the best in architecture and new ideas in education. They studied the way the university worked, paying attention to aspects including the flow of people between buildings using pedestrian walkways, to produce an immensely influential blueprint. Robert Sladdin, Director of Estates at the University of Leeds, said: "In 1958, CPB was given the task of transforming the University for the modern age, and the masterplan they produced did not disappoint. Their work was visionary and campus was transformed. "Initially, the buildings were warmly greeted, but over time the 'brutalist' architecture began to divide opinion, and to an extent, that ambivalence remains to this day. Nonetheless, the architecture remains striking and quite unlike much of what you see on other UK campuses." Nick Bridgland, Heritage Protection Team Leader, said: "These buildings at the University of Leeds rank with the Barbican in London, also a CPB project, in terms of scale and significance. The Roger Stevens Building, built in 1970, represents the high point of their work in Leeds. It is an outstanding and individual design with bold external shapes and ingeniously designed interiors. "But what marks Leeds out is that this is the first attempt to create an integrated university campus of this kind. The Brutalist design of the individual buildings is not to everyone's taste. But it represents an important and internationally significant milestone in 20th century architecture which is why we recommended listing them. CPB's University of Leeds masterplan aimed for pedestrians be able to travel from one side of the campus to the other in no more than 10 minutes. The campus already has a number of listed buildings dating back as far as 1799. I have to say these are some of the most striking buildings in Leeds and particular favourites of mine. I appreciate that they are not to everyones tastes, but it's good to see them listed and preserved for future generations to enjoy.

That's interesting news.Though construction of the Parkinson Building with its clock tower began in 1938 it was interrupted by War 2 and began again after that, being finished in 1951 so it is a post-war building (though not part of the newly listed part of Leeds University which seems to be its 1970s buildings). As a child in the early 1950s I always found the first sighting of the Parkinson Building to be a comforting one indicating that I was nearly back home after a visit to Blackpool or Scarborough. Mind you, I still find it so today (just also like the excitement of seeing Blackpool Tower from afar and the first view of Whitby Abbey). The Parkinson Building is a magnificent one.

I've always said on here, how in the future will we think of the 1960's buildings in years to come. In the 60's everyone hated the Victorian ones and couldn't wait to get rid of them, now we lament the loss of numerous iconic (and local) structures. (none of which spring to mind immediately though unfortunately!)

Reading this makes me feel old. I witnessed the demolition of the housing and the construction of these buildings in the mid to late 60's. By chance I happened to be working in the "new" Edward Boyle library on the day an elderly Harold MacMillan came to perform the official opening - that would have been about summer 1975. 35 years doesn't seem old enough for a building to be listed.

I had reason to go to the university about four weeks ago to donate some books.I had to go into the Great Hall to the archives department what a building i never knew there were places like that on the site i would love to walk around the old parts.    

tilly wrote: I had reason to go to the university about four weeks ago to donate some books.I had to go into the Great Hall to the archives department what a building i never knew there were places like that on the site i would love to walk around the old parts.     Unless things have changed dramatically since my days there, both as a student & an employee, there is nothing to stop anyone wandering around the campus and some of the public buildings. A good time would be during the summer vacation. The Great Hall has mixed memories for me - exams and graduation ceremony .     

blackprince wrote: tilly wrote: I had reason to go to the university about four weeks ago to donate some books.I had to go into the Great Hall to the archives department what a building i never knew there were places like that on the site i would love to walk around the old parts.     Unless things have changed dramatically since my days there, both as a student & an employee, there is nothing to stop anyone wandering around the campus and some of the public buildings. A good time would be during the summer vacation. The Great Hall has mixed memories for me - exams and graduation ceremony .      Hi blackprince what a lovely building the Great hall is the reason i had to go there is i had nine course work books dated from 1908 to1910 i was told this is very early work.They were all about weaving ie setting up looms with samples of cloth to show the finished product.They were all hand written the arcive department were over the moon when i took them in at least they have now gone to a good home.

tilly wrote: blackprince wrote: tilly wrote: I had reason to go to the university about four weeks ago to donate some books.I had to go into the Great Hall to the archives department what a building i never knew there were places like that on the site i would love to walk around the old parts.     Unless things have changed dramatically since my days there, both as a student & an employee, there is nothing to stop anyone wandering around the campus and some of the public buildings. A good time would be during the summer vacation. The Great Hall has mixed memories for me - exams and graduation ceremony .      Hi blackprince what a lovely building the Great hall is the reason i had to go there is i had nine course work books dated from 1908 to1910 i was told this is very early work.They were all about weaving ie setting up looms with samples of cloth to show the finished product.They were all hand written the arcive department were over the moon when i took them in at least they have now gone to a good home. Yes Tilly a very appropriate home. As I am sure you know the University grew out of the Clothworkers and Dyers institutes. ISTR the Great Hall was in the Clothworkers Court or closeby.

The YEP's Rod McPhee has his two pen'north on the subject here: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/r ... 6400542.jp(About half way down, after his politically correct posturing).Nice to know that where Secret Leeds leads, others follow....