There’s also our special tour of course – starting at the RIB Hub/CUBE – Infra_MANC exhibition- details here

Did you know that every week (well almost) we add another modernist building to our modsoc a-z?

Well, why not have a look at the list so far, you might spot something up your street.

modsosc’s a-z

(if you don’t already have a copy.. you can buy it on-line here

Hot on the heels of their quirkily elegant Highland House, LRW’s dominance on the 60’s skyline continued in dramatic style with an entire modernist landscape created for the land commission – 5 interlocking blocks, each 5 storeys in height, comprising aldine, baskerville, cloister and delphine house (reputedly named after modernist typefaces), grouped around a shared courtyard to foster a sense of cohesion and community for the governmental departments moving onto the banks of the Irwell.

inventive as ever, LRW didn’t simply impose as much bulky real estate on the strip of land available to them, but responded to the brief with what cube poetically describes as ‘restraint with expressionism’, incorporating some nifty technical innovations to counter the weathering inherent in the nature of modern buildings along the way. lack of cornices and sills meant water was no longer thrown off the surfaces of walls crafted in this new idiom, whilst joints between cladding allowed water to run down facades and create staining. the challenge for any reputable architectural practice was to reduce the harsh effects of the british climate on these vast expenses of concrete – decorative panels were one recurring solution for many around this time, (seen to brilliant effect in bush hammered brown concrete with abstract reliefs by William Mitchell at the humanities building (bdp) behind the academy on oxford rd) but here ribbing was tried instead to striking visual effect. it’s hard to imagine conventional windows here – they would be lost in this bold yet playful vertical stripe – so those commodore-pet computer screen funnel holes on Victoria bridge resurface, but revved to the max to hold their own in this new context.

this is 60’s modernism at its best, a glimpse of utopia articulated through the collaboration of new materials, technical innovation, excellent design and artistic expression. we’re not the only ones in awe of this fabulous yet often overlooked Salford gem – cube’s city walking tour enthuses suitably with this description;

‘counterbalancing pre cast sculptural concrete panels and articulated round cornered stair towers with a miesian black marble pavilion, it neatly counterpoints restraint with expressionism in a scheme that was envisaged would range from 5 storeys to 16’,

whilst over on archisnaps griffin wagers that LRW lavished the development with meticulous care because it was earmarked as their new home – the black marble pavilion has been LRW’s headquarters ever since.

even today, glimpsed behind glass and officious security, who won’t let you pause to peer in let alone whip out a camera, their attention to detail and typically generous landscaping can be appreciated, a haven of peaceful nooks next to the soothing lullaby of water features, artwork and vibrant sculptures, an oasis in the city and the demands of the workplace.

ignored for decades, partially by living on the salford side of the river which escaped the full brunt of post bomb demolition / regeneration fever, dark days glowered recently over the complex when bruntwood bought it with the intention of demolishing elements including the pavilion itself, to make way for a five-star hotel and a 30 storey residential tower next to the Lowry Hotel, as well as 100,000 sq feet of office space, split between two buildings. and in a bizarre twist of fate, LRW were the firm commissioned to overhaul or eradicate their own baby.

manchester confidential took up the sorry tale, whilst Architects’ Journal, May 24, 2007, predicted widespread uproar at the loss of this ‘iconic’ masterpiece.

the economic ‘downturn’ seems to have seen bruntwoods plans temporarily shelved, with the site given a lick of paint and rebranded riverside west, complete with some hi spec glossy images to drool over.

however watch this space as this side of the river is on the up and the safety of this little piece of 60’s lunar-vision can’t fully be taken for granted….

Maureen Ward

(first published April 2010)

In February 2012, Aldine House, now known as Riverside,  is once again in the process of renovation by Bruntwood, with a new foyer (a great improvement on the previous plastic canopy), new paving and trees, and the addition of the ubiquitous Bruntwood glass box (a way of extending the floor space of ‘unprofitably small’ retail units). Add to this the new riverside walk between Leech Rhodes Walkers own office on New Bailey Street and the Calatrava Bridge.. things are looking brighter for Aldine House.

40 miles north of Manchester is recently citified Preston. The former milltown has ambitions to be the ‘third city of the North West’ (sorry about that, Salford) and, for over 10 years, it has planned to build Tithebarn, a new retail ‘quarter’. To clear the site for redevelopment the Council and the developers want to demolish Preston Bus Station. This is an iconic modernist masterwork. It was designed by Keith Ingham and Charles Wilson of Building Design Partnership, which was then based in Preston, and it opened in 1969. The building houses an 80 bay bus station and accommodation for 1,100 cars. It was designed so that extra storeys could be added above the 4-5 parking levels. Preston is a regional public transport hub. Until the 1980s it was the centre of Ribble Motor Services whose bus empire stretched from Carlisle to Trumpet Street garage in Manchester.

The building is made of reinforced and precast concrete but it seems to hover above a glazed ground level which is especially exciting when lit at dusk. The curved form of the parking lot floor edges helps to reduce loadings; they prevent cars from hitting the vertical wall. The curve creates a dramatic organic, almost sculptural, structure. The cover balustrade protects passengers from the weather by allowing double desk buses to penetrate beneath the lower parking level. Originally the station was carefully detailed and signed, in Ingham’s characteristic attention to materials, design and graphics. Preston Council’s poor management, especially since bus deregulation, has led to a sad decline in the condition of this fine structure. A recent attempt to have the bus station listed, which was warmly supported by English Heritage, was turned down by the minister Margaret Hodge because she claimed the building was not ‘fit for purpose’.

The terrier-like Twentieth Century Society is seeking a review of this decision because they argue fitness isn’t a sufficient ground for not listing. But there’s a £700 million development at stake so you can guess what may be the station’s fate. It’s just about hanging on now but you may need to see it now before it’s reduced to a pile of rubble. Sic transit gloria mundi.

Many thanks to Aidan Turner-Bishop, Chair of the North West Group of the Twentieth Century Society

(First published February 2010)

The threat of redevelopment continues to wax and wane – late in 2011 the development stalled when John Lewis, a major tenant pulled out due to the economic downturn, the World Monuments Fund added the bus station to its ‘at risk’ list, and a public petition forced Preston City Council to debate the issue.. plus ca change!

This is a combined walk+bus ride led by Richard Brook, Senior Lecturer at the Manchester Architecture School. It’s jointly organized by the NW Group of the Twentieth Century Society and the Manchester Modernist Society.

Booking essential – please click here to reserve your place.

Saturday, March 10

Itinerary

Meet outside Oxford Road rail station, Manchester, at 10am.

We them travel by bus to Rusholme. If you have a bus pass please bring it with you. If you need to pay don’t worry: we’ll pay for you.

10.30 St. Anselm’s Hall chapel – H.M. Fairhurst
11.30 Hulme Hall chapel – J.R.G. Seward | Hulme Hall itself has a mildly mannerist modern addition
12.45 RC Chaplaincy, Oxford Road - Mather & Nutter | visit to the library to view the original scheme drawings and unbuilt options as well as photographs contemporary to the completion.

Self-service luncheon in All Saints at one of the many fine establishments in the area. ‘On the eighth day’ has a vegetarian café downstairs.

14.30 St. Peter’s House, UoM Chaplaincy – J.R.G. Seward | small chapel on walkway and main ecumenical space
15.30 St. Augustine’s – Desmond Williams and Associates | followed by a visit to the newly established diocesan archives and tea + biscuits in the hall.

These times are approximate and can be adjusted. A set of notes will be provided.

Charge: £5 (£4 concessions) Fees go towards – notes, donations to churches and bus travel between sites.

Booking essential – please click here to reserve your place.

(join our mailing list to be invited along – click here) [free event]

(join our mailing list to be invited along – click here) [free event]

April – celebrate spring with a saunter in and around Salford’s modernist civic heartland. swinton here we come…..!

(join our mailing list to be invited along – click here) [free event]

Our revamped pop up shop and a collaboration with manchester photographer Jan Cheblik should get those heart rates pumping this valentine month….watch this space for imminent unveilings….

(join our mailing list to be invited along – click here) [free event]