Cicero on the Walworth Road

 

Good to see the sculpture from the top of the Walworth Clinic (1936-37 by Percy Smart) on the front of English Heritage’s round up of new London listings from last year.   I pass this on the way to Elephant and Castle station every morning and love the plaque that announces ‘The health of the people is the highest law’–more uplift than you expect on the Walworth Road.  I didn’t know that this was a quote from Cicero’s De Legibus ‘Salus populi suprema est lex’.   Also great to see Heritage Minister John Penrose being really enthusiastic in his Foreward about listing, and saying he hopes the list “interests a wide audience, captures their imagination and helps open their eyes”.    That’s a pretty good endorsement.  

you can down load the whole book here:

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/listing/showcase/london-list-yearbook/

Signature milestone reached for Preston Bus Station

A petition demanding a city-wide referendum on the future of Preston Bus Station that closes tomorrow, January 16, has now passed the 1,350 signatures it needs to ensure councillors have to debate the issue at a full council meeting.

Your Station, Your Say

Delighted to see that Preston City Council go ahead with their commitment to wide public consultation as regards the future of their iconic Bus Station. Most fascinating is the enthusiasm of people who live in the city and actually use the building. Added to the recognition of its special architectural interest by conservation experts (The Twentieth Century Society, English Heritage and the World Monuments Fund), this clearly makes the building worth maintaining.

If you live in Preston, or nearby, and are interested, please note that Council Leaders will be at the station TODAY between 11am and 3pm, to listen (and to talk?). If you are unable to attend, you can submit your views online. You can also still watch online a recent mention of the story in Granada Reports.

91 Genesta Road – stop the rot!

This gallery contains 28 photos.

We were shocked to see these images of 91 Genesta Road, one of a terrace of four houses in a south London street and listed at Grade II *.               We were very pleased … Continue reading →

Lloyd’s Building – Grade I listed

This gallery contains 4 photos.

The Twentieth Century is delighted to report the heritage minister’s decision this week to list the Lloyd’s Building at Grade I. This is an exceptional building of its period, a landmark in the City of London recognised internationally – outstanding … Continue reading →

advice on choosing an architect….

Amused to read the following in one of the vintage (sadly no date visible) Habitat catalogues on show at the Terence Conran exhibition at the Design Museum:

“Choosing an architect who is also a close friend is like teaching your wife or husband to drive.  Chances of success are dicier.  At least that’s what architects say.”   (Contacting the RIBA is recommended instead).

 I also liked the letter reporting back on the opening of the Conran Shop in NYC, apparently “Margaret Jay, wife of our new Ambassador in Washington was the principle [sic]  guest … a bright, articulate, goodlooking lady” according to Conran’s John Stephenson.

Also lots of great textiles, one illustrated in the Architectural Review October 1952 has a caption which describes it as  ”composed of shapes reminsceint of block plans of modern buildings”  —it set me fantasising– they would be pretty weird buildngs.

And Iove the early Habitat graphics–there is a great stiched paper sack version of this little one, and I’m wishing I’d noted down the designer.  

 

The exhition runs until March 4th 2012 and is well worth a visit, although it feels more like a celebration than an objective analysis of Conran’s undoutabely vast influence on British design, in our homes and beyond. 

 

Free C20 Christmas gift: five days left

Gift membership offer

Treat someone to gift membership of the Society at our special Christmas offer price, saving up to £15, and help protect C20 architecture and design, like these recently listed murals by Dorothy Annan. Existing members can choose a free gift for themselves too! Order by Monday 19 December.

If you have anyone on your present list that cares about C20th architecture and design, then gift membership of the C20 Society is the perfect solution. They will receive all the benefits of membership:

• our newly-revamped magazine three times a year
• access to our renowned member-only events
• reduced prices to talks and public events
• copies of the Society’s journals

not to mention the satisfaction of knowing that they are helping to protect the best of C20 architecture and design.

All this is available for the special pre-Christmas price of £30 for an individual and £45 for household membership, but hurry, this price is only available until Monday 19 December. Plus, if you are already a member, you can choose to receive one of the publications listed below FREE as a thank-you for introducing a new member – or you can donate your reward to the Society.

Order gift membership now. Membership packs are normally sent out within 5 days, and we will make every effort to ensure that orders placed by Monday 19 December are received by Christmas.

Members will need to log in to the members area to select their free gift, if you are not already logged in.

• Housing the Twentieth Century Nation (RRP £19.50)
• The Heroic Period of Conservation (RRP £18.50)
• The Sixties (RRP £17.50)
• The Festival of Britain (RRP £19.95)
• The Modern House Revisited (RRP £10.00)
• Twentieth Century Building Studies No.1 : Robin Hood Gardens – Re-visions (RRP £20.00)