Forgotten modernist/brutalist Welsh architecture - in pictures

[editor]

Some cracking/WTF buildings here

How grey was my valley: forgotten Welsh architecture - in pictures

A new photozine by Peter Halliday on the mid-century architecture of Wales brings attention to underappreciated Welsh buildings under threat of demolition

www.theguardian.com

 

[farmerbarleymow]

Saw that the other day. Exposed concrete doesn't look great after years in a rainy climate sadly, but some interesting buildings.

 

[BristolEcho]

Saw that the other day. Exposed concrete doesn't look great after years in a rainy climate sadly, but some interesting buildings.

I think they look amazing. Thanks for sharing editor!

 

[StoneRoad]

What about this ...


CLW - social centre par StoneRoad2013, on ipernity

 

[steeplejack]

The last building is the Dunlop rubber factory in Brynmawr, shamefully demolished in the early 2000s for a fucking Asda. The building was designed by Ove Arup, where he learned the principles of concrete construction that went into building the Sydney Opera House, later.

More on the building here

 

[1927]

Some cracking/WTF buildings here

How grey was my valley: forgotten Welsh architecture - in pictures

A new photozine by Peter Halliday on the mid-century architecture of Wales brings attention to underappreciated Welsh buildings under threat of demolition

www.theguardian.com

The irony of the headline being, of course, that none of that architecture was actually in the valleys!

 

[skyscraper101]

Saw that the other day. Exposed concrete doesn't look great after years in a rainy climate sadly, but some interesting buildings.

Exactly. I’ve never understood the adoration of brutalist architecture - for me it not only lacks any charm and seems more like an egotistical statement than anything, but after a few years in the British climate manages to look especially shit.

 

[editor]

The last building is the Dunlop rubber factory in Brynmawr, shamefully demolished in the early 2000s for a fucking Asda. The building was designed by Ove Arup, where he learned the principles of concrete construction that went into building the Sydney Opera House, later.
More on the building here

Criminal ignorance:

Though hailed as an architectural masterpiece (Frank Lloyd Wright travelled to the Valleys to see it) the factory never thrived financially. Just a year after its opening it was sold to Dunlop, which ran it for the next 30 years. In 1986, four years after its closure, it became the very first post-war building in Britain to be listed, earning a Grade II* designation.

There were a number of imaginative proposals for alternative uses for the building, including sports hall, cultural centre, ballroom and museum. The local authority, Blaenau Gwent Borough Council, preferred that the building be demolished and the site rededicated to retail and residential use, although its Senior Development Manager did pause to reflect that had the building been situated in the south of England money could surely have been found for its refurbishment. In 1996 the Council gave consent for demolition. Despite opposition from the C20 Society, the Welsh Heritage agency and DoCoMoMo UK among others, the then Secretary of State for Wales, William Hague, declined to call the proposals in for a public inquiry.

 

[bmd]

Really really love Brutalist architecture. Possibly because it is so very mad.

 

[1927]

Criminal ignorance:



View attachment 261461

Makes you wonder what the point of listing is.

 

[agricola]

The irony of the headline being, of course, that none of that architecture was actually in the valleys!

An awful lot of it in the North-East, much of it sadly gone or going nowadays. Wrexham still has the swimming baths, though sadly it was "modernized" in the late 90s and much of its charm was removed, and the bunker-like Argoed School (near Mold) is going to be demolished over the next few years.

 

[BristolEcho]

Exactly. I’ve never understood the adoration of brutalist architecture - for me it not only lacks any charm and seems more like an egotistical statement than anything, but after a few years in the British climate manages to look especially shit.

I think that last part is part of the charm. I like it. I like the rough edges.

 

[killer b]

An awful lot of it in the North-East, much of it sadly gone or going nowadays. Wrexham still has the swimming baths, though sadly it was "modernized" in the late 90s and much of its charm was removed, and the bunker-like Argoed School (near Mold) is going to be demolished over the next few years.

just saw some pics of this school on twitter, it's amazing.

 

[agricola]

sadly the 20th Century Society's attempt to get the Argoed listed failed, so it now looks like it will be demolished:

Dismay as Brutalist Welsh school set for demolition – The Twentieth Century Society

c20society.org.uk

 

[bellaozzydog]

Saw this. Think it is of cultural value

Miniature concrete models of iconic Brutalist Architecture

Concrete miniature models of iconic Brutalist Architecture. Brutalism to hold in your hand. Perfect unusual gifts or collectibles for Architects, Designers, photographers who love concrete and Brutalism

space-play.co.uk

 

[hitmouse]

Saw this. Think it is of cultural value

Miniature concrete models of iconic Brutalist Architecture

Concrete miniature models of iconic Brutalist Architecture. Brutalism to hold in your hand. Perfect unusual gifts or collectibles for Architects, Designers, photographers who love concrete and Brutalism

space-play.co.uk

"Small models of Brutalist concrete buildings" really feels like it should be an answer from this quiz:

What Is A Good Gift For My Very Serious Nephew?

This joyless boy’s a mystery to me.

clickhole.com

 

[Gromit]

The last building is the Dunlop rubber factory in Brynmawr, shamefully demolished in the early 2000s for a fucking Asda. The building was designed by Ove Arup, where he learned the principles of concrete construction that went into building the Sydney Opera House, later.
More on the building here

In 1986, four years after its closure, it became the very first post-war building in Britain to be listed, earning a Grade II* designation.

That was me! I did the paperwork on that!
So I'm quite sad to hear that they knocked it down anyway.