International Pool

Post by **dsco** » Fri 07 Mar, 2008 6:44 pm

yeah developers seem to talk about 50-100 year lifespans for modern buildings, which is a bit short term really. doesn't really create a heritage as you say.though i can't see the Kremlin falling down any time soon - looks well solid dsco

fevlad · Post by **fevlad** » Sat 08 Mar, 2008 8:56 am

my first teaching job was at Whitcliffe Mount Grammar School in Cleckheatonin the staff room was a cupboard that was always kept locked.During a free period I obtained the key and opened itaa mass of trophies cups shileds all sorts came cascading out. Every one was 'The Poulson trophy' for all sorts of things.Poiulson's company had built a massive extension to the school, and the bounty he bestowed upon the school was quickly hidden away when he was found out. I'm not saying owt dodgy had been going on, but obvioulsy poulson's name had become muck.

fevlad · Post by **fevlad** » Sat 08 Mar, 2008 8:57 am

dsco wrote: yeah developers seem to talk about 50-100 year lifespans for modern buildings, which is a bit short term really. doesn't really create a heritage as you say.though i can't see the Kremlin falling down any time soon - looks well solid dsco that's not much different to the buildings of any eraonly a few buildings survive any historical epoch to form the 'heritage' you talk about.

Post by **chameleon** » Sat 08 Mar, 2008 11:27 am

fevlad wrote: dsco wrote: yeah developers seem to talk about 50-100 year lifespans for modern buildings, which is a bit short term really. doesn't really create a heritage as you say.though i can't see the Kremlin falling down any time soon - looks well solid dsco that's not much different to the buildings of any eraonly a few buildings survive any historical epoch to form the 'heritage' you talk about. The difference we speak of is that of those which physically fail and those whose removal is through nothing more than choice. Sadly there are structures which would have a worthy place in the future in terms of history and architecture but which simply become economically unviable to sustain at an early age.

Chrism · Post by **Chrism** » Sat 08 Mar, 2008 11:29 am

dsco wrote: yeah developers seem to talk about 50-100 year lifespans for modern buildings, which is a bit short term really. doesn't really create a heritage as you say.though i can't see the Kremlin falling down any time soon - looks well solid dsco There was a building (a block of flats actually) on Clarendon Road, just next to Ripon House. It was built in 1980 and demolished in 2005. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it, it had been left empty and 'smacheads' and 'homeless' peeps had taken refuge in it. When they left the developers tore it down and built another block in its place. I think this must be the shortest lived building in Leeds. 25 years not long!!!!

fevlad · Post by **fevlad** » Sat 08 Mar, 2008 11:46 am

chameleon wrote: fevlad wrote: dsco wrote: yeah developers seem to talk about 50-100 year lifespans for modern buildings, which is a bit short term really. doesn't really create a heritage as you say.though i can't see the Kremlin falling down any time soon - looks well solid dsco that's not much different to the buildings of any eraonly a few buildings survive any historical epoch to form the 'heritage' you talk about. The difference we speak of is that of those which physically fail and those whose removal is through nothing more than choice. Sadly there are structures which would have a worthy place in the future in terms of history and architecture but which simply become economically unviable to sustain at an early age. again this has always been trueeconomics has always been the driving force of building as part of growth qnd as part of symbolising wealth.In the middle ages wealth was symbolised by the building of churches, in the victorian/edwardian era it was public buildings railway termini, banks and so onthroughout history people have had no qualms about demolishing stuff that was probably ok to loook at and fit for purpose.many mistakes were made in the construction of buildings also-but obviously with the exception of buildings like chesterfield cathedral they didn't survive.

Post by **tyke bhoy** » Sat 08 Mar, 2008 12:39 pm

Chrism wrote: There was a building (a block of flats actually) on Clarendon Road, just next to Ripon House. It was built in 1980 and demolished in 2005. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it, it had been left empty and 'smacheads' and 'homeless' peeps had taken refuge in it. When they left the developers tore it down and built another block in its place. I think this must be the shortest lived building in Leeds. 25 years not long!!!! Possibly not. The vacant plot on the corner of Wellington Street and Whitehall Road opposite the back entry to the station has had at least two buildings on it in my lifetime (44 years). I am pretty certain the last one which has been gone for some time was being put up when I was about 21.

Hats Off · Post by **Hats Off** » Sat 08 Mar, 2008 1:16 pm

tyke bhoy wrote: Chrism wrote: There was a building (a block of flats actually) on Clarendon Road, just next to Ripon House. It was built in 1980 and demolished in 2005. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it, it had been left empty and 'smacheads' and 'homeless' peeps had taken refuge in it. When they left the developers tore it down and built another block in its place. I think this must be the shortest lived building in Leeds. 25 years not long!!!! Possibly not. The vacant plot on the corner of Wellington Street and Whitehall Road opposite the back entry to the station has had at least two buildings on it in my lifetime (44 years). I am pretty certain the last one which has been gone for some time was being put up when I was about 21. What about that horse shoe shaped block of flats at the top of North Street ? They can't be more than about eight years old and because of some design defect they are supposed to be coming down already.

fevlad · Post by **fevlad** » Sat 08 Mar, 2008 2:25 pm

Hats Off wrote: tyke bhoy wrote: Chrism wrote: There was a building (a block of flats actually) on Clarendon Road, just next to Ripon House. It was built in 1980 and demolished in 2005. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it, it had been left empty and 'smacheads' and 'homeless' peeps had taken refuge in it. When they left the developers tore it down and built another block in its place. I think this must be the shortest lived building in Leeds. 25 years not long!!!! Possibly not. The vacant plot on the corner of Wellington Street and Whitehall Road opposite the back entry to the station has had at least two buildings on it in my lifetime (44 years). I am pretty certain the last one which has been gone for some time was being put up when I was about 21. What about that horse shoe shaped block of flats at the top of North Street ? They can't be more than about eight years old and because of some design defect they are supposed to be coming down already. again, nothing new about this down the centuries

Trojan · Post by **Trojan** » Sat 08 Mar, 2008 6:24 pm

dsco wrote: yeah developers seem to talk about 50-100 year lifespans for modern buildings, which is a bit short term really. doesn't really create a heritage as you say.though i can't see the Kremlin falling down any time soon - looks well solid dsco Well here's a Poulson building that has survived over 50 years. It was built as the North Eastern Gas Board offices and showrooms. It's just a box, three sides are York stone, and the front as can be seen is glass. It's now "La Cucina" it also had a very modern late art deco interior, how much of this was down to Poulson I couldn't say. There were offices and a cookery demonstation room - I know all this because my mum cleaned it from it opening in 1955 until she retired in 1975.