"Iconic" building saved

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Architecture lovers might be interested to know that this is an award winning building.
Second best new building in Camden, 1970.

For some reason, I find that "award" hilarious. It's like a Ricky Gervaisesque character, stuck in an office on an industrial estate outside Hull, pointing to a framed and faded certificate and telling everyone; "That's me, see - Second Best New Building in Camden, 1970!"

[teamsaint]

For some reason, I find that "award" hilarious. It's like a Ricky Gervaisesque character, stuck in an office on an industrial estate outside Hull, pointing to a framed and faded certificate and telling everyone; "That's me, see - Second Best New Building in Camden, 1970!"

well quite.

On my walk yesterday I didn't spot the third best building in Camden from 1970.
But I am on the lookout for it.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

[Serial_Apologist]

For some reason, I find that "award" hilarious. It's like a Ricky Gervaisesque character, stuck in an office on an industrial estate outside Hull, pointing to a framed and faded certificate and telling everyone; "That's me, see - Second Best New Building in Camden, 1970!"

Or that 1970s Deptford councillor on last week's "The Secret Life of our Streets" wrigglingly justifying turfing working class people out of Victorian homes previously passed as sanitary in the interests of developers.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Or that 1970s Deptford councillor on last week's "The Secret Life of our Streets" wrigglingly justifying turfing working class people out of Victorian homes previously passed as sanitary in the interests of developers.

Oh, I didn't find that "hilarious" at all!

(Especially when they told us about the street that had been "properly" defined as a slum, but which somehow got omitted from the bulldozers' lists, now selling for £750,000 each house!)

[vinteuil]

given the state of the Built environment in some of our cities, it isn't that often that I am genuinely appalled by a building.
but this one really is a corker.

... I think the building on the left is rather fine: I think the proportions are graceful; I like the colour; the texture is interesting. The building on the right is a mess - fiddly detailing; an unfortunate heavy-lidded look to what I suppose are the lintels; nasty horizontal window shapes.

[french frank]

I like the colour

I wasn't so keen on the colour; otherwise …

[teamsaint]

The problem with it that I had seeing it in context, is two fold really.
First, in a street where building are configured in the usual way with windows facing out onto the street, this windowless elevation looks badly out of context.
Second,as mentioned above, the proportions and relief offered by the concrete panelling are made invisible from some angles,including the important area of immediate approach from the same side of the streets. What actually appears to a person approaching from that side, which most people probably will, is a monolithic slab of dark grey concrete, where the effect of the virtues that Vinny highlights are completely lost.

[vinteuil]

What actually appears to a person approaching from that side, which most people probably will, is a monolithic slab of dark grey concrete...

... actually a monolithic slab of dark grey concrete sounds rather imposing, a sort of Camden ka'aba *.

Clearly I shall have to make a pilgrimage - which street is it in?

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaaba

[teamsaint]

... actually a monolithic slab of dark grey concrete sounds rather imposing, a sort of Camden ka'aba *.

Clearly I shall have to make a pilgrimage - which street is it in?

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaaba

Its in gordon street, northern end, eastern side.It is (part of) the Christopher Ingold Building.

It certainly is imposing.
Plenty to look at round there.
Not far to the British Library,which has features of interest, and from where a view of the roof of St Pancras looks...er.. interestingly contrasted..Also, one can take time out to imagine, or recollect,the Euston arch.

Nice trip out for a bank holiday, to the Mecca of Brutalism .

[teamsaint]

an un- iconic building about to be demolished ( probably)is the WH Smith head office in Swindon.

Picking up on Ian Thumwood's point on the Zaha Hadid thread, this building is apparently past its useful life, despite being built in the 1980's, I think.

The office complex part ( as opposed to the functional looking distribution buildings), is by no means the least attractive office building I visit, and it seems to be pretty user friendly. But costs of maintenance and upgrade apparently outweigh those of relocating and new build.

raises a few questions.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=wh+smith+office&rlz=1C1KMZB_enGB552GB552&espv=2&biw=1024&bih=667&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjooNTQ5IPMAhUK1hoKHRfNANQQ_AUICSgE#tbm=isch&q=wh+smith+head+office&imgrc=2AZz1JmAW8ZolM%3A

[Dave2002]

... I think the building on the left is rather fine: I think the proportions are graceful; I like the colour; the texture is interesting. The building on the right is a mess - fiddly detailing; an unfortunate heavy-lidded look to what I suppose are the lintels; nasty horizontal window shapes.

Maybe, but what genius decided that any windows should be on the side of the building directly facing a not too distant wall. Give me strength!

Not supposed to be a nuclear bunker, is it? Erm, come to think of it, windows and above ground siting wouldn't work for that!

[Dave2002]

The interior of the new Camacha church on Madeira, is quite good - https://www.flickr.com/photos/sicco/...-p3R6fx-bwhGWD

The exterior is - well - maybe not quite so good - https://www.flickr.com/photos/sicco/...-2yWb7M-7JpxRC

I have some photos of the interior myself, which I may manage to get put up.

Camacha is, reportedly, the first Portugese place to have had a football game, and the bell in the building opposite the car park was actually sent from the church in Woolton on the (then) outskirts of Liverpool in the nineteenth century.

[teamsaint]

Those interested in The Cardross seminary might like to add this to their Xmas list.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1849172234/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=QKL316A1U4BB&coliid=ID66TOJ6D2P04

[teamsaint]

Interesting short film here

about the plans for Kilmahew/ St Peters Cardross.

Would really love to visit .