SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science ... itage.html

Bank House, the former Bank of England building on King Street is one of 14 'concrete office blocks' that have been granted Grade II listed status "to show how architecture responded to radical changes in the workplace following the end of the Second World War."

Roger Bowdler, Director of Designation at English Heritage, said: “These offices show how architecture has adapted to recent radical changes in how we work: they show how the open-plan working space for computer-led work came about, and how architects responded to the need for lettable, attractive spaces with ingenuity and a deep understanding of human needs.

Further details at the above link.

There is a better selection of photos here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-30999633 including one of Bank House that is so good I wish I'd taken it and that i might try to replicate next time I'm in Leeds....

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I think I like the idea of ugly, functionalist, buildings being listed. I do like a nice looking building (don't we all, but I'm sure we don't agree which ones are?) But I think functional and out of fashion architecture adds interest to any city.

BarFly wrote:Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I think I like the idea of ugly, functionalist, buildings being listed. I do like a nice looking building (don't we all, but I'm sure we don't agree which ones are?) But I think functional and out of fashion architecture adds interest to any city.

No problem. I'm a big fan of the "brutalist" style, so its nice to see that at least a handful of examples will survive.

Indeed, brutalist architecture can be pleasing. I quite like the Midland Bank building on Park Row also.

I pass that building quite a lot and I find it very appealing