"Iconic" building saved

[P. G. Tipps]

It's about 20 miles from the centre of Glasgow so not exactly at the 'back of beyond' and well-served by roads and public transport. Building an arts centre in order to retain at least a degree of spirituality is certainly a far better idea than a soulless shopping complex, that's for sure.

As for the building itself it certainly looks like a vintage Jack Coia eyesore to me but whatever turns on the now trendy and fashionable concrete freaks, I suppose ...

[MrGongGong]

now trendy and fashionable concrete freaks

http://www.romanconcrete.com/

[greenilex]

I will certainly make the trek to visit the resurrected St Peter's in 2017.

The discussion about the aesthetics of buildings influenced by Le Corbusier and constructed of "beton brut" goes on all over Europe. We in Southampton have an excellent example next to the station - a housing complex shaped like an ocean liner. The idea of the Modulor ( details which are measured in multiples of the height of a man) is of course Le C's. Maybe an acquired taste?

[P. G. Tipps]

Wot did the Romans ever do for us, Mr GG ... ?

[ahinton]

Wot did the Romans ever do for us, Mr GG ... ?

Underfloor heating? Bath? ...

[teamsaint]

I will certainly make the trek to visit the resurrected St Peter's in 2017.

The discussion about the aesthetics of buildings influenced by Le Corbusier and constructed of "beton brut" goes on all over Europe. We in Southampton have an excellent example next to the station - a housing complex shaped like an ocean liner. The idea of the Modulor ( details which are measured in multiples of the height of a man) is of course Le C's. Maybe an acquired taste?

And rather neatly we now have many ocean liners shaped like housing complexes !

Anyway, although not every detail of St Peters, ( especially the silos) seems easy on the eye, the inside must have been spectaular when in use.

[P. G. Tipps]

Actually, an aerial photo of the former St Peter's, Cardross reveals a striking juxtaposition of traditional Scottish baronial and Scottish modernist architecture in a quite beautiful setting.

http://avantiarchitects.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/cardross-2.jpg

[french frank]

I think I remember posting a picture of Bristol's "Robinson Building" (now 'One Redcliffe Street') when the question of St P's S was last mentioned (completed 1966). One concrete 'eyesore' which was greeted with outrage when first built (1964) but which has settled into the cityscape very comfortably:

[teamsaint]

More info on the St Peters project.

http://nva.org.uk/current-projects/kilmahew+st+peters-41/

The PDF with the plans (right hand side , current projects)is really interesting.

[teamsaint]

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.

No prizes for guessing, as there is some signage, but bear in mind that the building on the left, the real offender "looks" (well it doesn't as there are no windows) out onto a fairly major road.



actually, on reflection, the building on the right may be just as bad.
I will be pleased if somebody can convince me of the architectural merit here.

[Tony Halstead]

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.

No prizes for guessing, as there is some signage, but bear in mind that the building on the left, the real offender "looks" (well it doesn't as there are no windows) out onto a fairly major road.



actually, on reflection, the building on the right may be just as bad.
I will be pleased if somebody can convince me of the architectural merit here.

Hmm... it looks like the appalling, horrendous 'Burlington House' in Dover ( a surprisingly very nice and historically interesting town that we moved to about 6 months ago having stagnated in a village 'in the styx' near Folkestone for about 15 years!)

[teamsaint]

this'll be the one, Tony?



apparently they can light up the windows in a pattern that spells out " Welcome to Dover".

they can't do that on the UCL chemistry building. or even " Welcome to UCL" !!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I will be pleased if somebody can convince me of the architectural merit here.

Architecturally, it does what it needs to do - and the shape and proportions are sound. The trouble is that it's made in concrete - and concrete like this looks dank, depressing and dirty. Imagined as a contrast between red brick and sandstone (for example), it wouldn't look nearly as hideous.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

apparently they can light up the windows in a pattern that spells out " Welcome to Dover".

Oh! Like they did using the internet in a building in London at last Christmas' Royal Institute Lectures? Anyone see that? Brilliant series of lectures.

[teamsaint]

Architecturally, it does what it needs to do - and the shape and proportions are sound. The trouble is that it's made in concrete - and concrete like this looks dank, depressing and dirty. Imagined as a contrast between red brick and sandstone (for example), it wouldn't look nearly as hideous.

The shape and proportions are about right. But in the location, they would almost be self selecting, I should have thought.
It probably would look less bad in a different material,but the real issue here isn't the material, it is the featureless design on the street front. I'm not sure why the street elevation had to have a windowless design, but it makes for a disastrous look, with the lack of any other visual relief. In fact, as you walk towards the building on the same side of the street, it looks even worse than the picture, as you lose the visual relief of the concrete panels, and just see what appears to be a single expanse of concrete.

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