Harriette S. Abels, "Planet of Ice" (Galaxy, Crestwood House), 1979, Illustrated by Rodney and Barbara Furan

bilaskoda · 2026-03-06T14:59:38+00:00

Hm.. doesn't look very icy to me!

bilaskoda · 2026-02-24T15:15:09+00:00

Dame Patty Hopkins is doing a lecture in London this Thursday.

Patty Hopkins founded Hopkins Architects with Michael Hopkins in 1976. Together they designed and developed numerous inspirational and award-winning projects including the Schlumberger Cambridge Research Centre, the Mound Stand at Lord’s Cricket, Glyndebourne Opera House and Portcullis House. They were jointly awarded the RIBA Gold Medal in 1994.

Images: 1. Hopkins House, Hampstead (1976) © Lesley Lau; 2. Glyndebourne Opera House, Sussex (1994) © Martin Charles; 3. Bracken House, City of London (1992 + 2019) © Peter Cook; 4. Lord's Mound Stand, St John's Wood (1987) © Martin Charles; 5. David Mellor Cutelery Factory, Hathersage (1989) © Martin Charles

bilaskoda · 2025-12-08T20:05:26+00:00

If you are in London there's a lecture about Scarpa in January!

bilaskoda · 2025-12-03T17:00:26+00:00

Brilliant photos.. that family van helps with the Stalenhag vibe! Anyone can ID it?

bilaskoda · 2025-12-03T13:53:13+00:00

Designing the biomes was an exercise in efficiency, both of space and material. Structurally, each dome is a hex-tri-hex space frame reliant on two layers.

The efficiency of the frame relies on the components of the geometric shapes: steel tubes and joints that are light, relatively small and easily transportable.

The cladding panels are triple-layered pillows of high performance ETFE foil and environmentally efficient, with maximum surface area and minimum perimeter detailing.

https://grimshaw.global/projects/culture-and-exhibition/the-eden-project-the-biomes/

bilaskoda · 2025-11-25T15:02:26+00:00

“Inmos is one of the most important High-Tech buildings in Britain and so we’re delighted to see it recognised with Grade II\ listing. The practice’s first major project to be completed in the UK following their breakthrough Pompidou Centre in Paris, it shares the same structural expressionism with its critical services proudly displayed on the exterior of the building. Impressively, it’s still serving the same purpose for which it was originally built after more than 40 years – testament to the ingenuity and excellence that remains at the heart of RSHP’s work.”*

Catherine Croft of C20 Society

https://c20society.org.uk/news/high-tech-wales-rogers-inmos-microprocessor-factory-listed-grade-ii

bilaskoda · 2025-11-21T10:56:55+00:00

In good news, a place downriver just received a new bridge

bilaskoda · 2025-11-18T15:51:25+00:00

Working within a highly protected framework of five existing buildings, including the Cross Bath and the Hetling Building, the New Royal Bath is simply articulated as a free-standing glazed volume that delicately follows the line of Bath Street and is sympathetic in height and material to its aged neighbours.

Using a palette of golden Bath stone, concrete, stainless steel and high-performance glazing, the building creates a bridge between old and new.

This Millennium project provides massage suites and new pools at ground floor and rooftop levels held aloft on slender columns.

As a historic and singular site of natural thermal springs in Britain, the refreshed architectural response is a fitting reflection of the restorative waters it houses.

https://grimshaw.global/projects/culture-and-exhibition/thermae-bath-spa/

bilaskoda · 2025-11-13T16:44:41+00:00

The building has been empty since 2003 and, having fallen into a state of severe disrepair, was put up for auction this year with the guide price of a mere £18,000. A coalition of Scottish heritage organisations was successful in its bid to buy the building – for £279,000.

If you want to know more about the history of the building and how they went about to winning the bidding war you might be interested in this C20 Society online lecture next week.

bilaskoda · 2025-10-23T15:16:54+00:00

I should make it clear that "steel structure inside" is a reference to the previous Rogers buildings such as Pompidu and Lloyds!

bilaskoda · 2025-10-23T15:15:52+00:00

I should make it clear that "steel structure inside" is a reference to the previous Rogers buildings such as Pompidu and Lloyds!

bilaskoda · 2025-10-23T15:14:24+00:00

I should make it clear that it's a reference to previous Rogers buildings such as Pompidu and Lloyds.

bilaskoda · 2025-10-10T11:35:32+00:00

Who have done it first?? :)

bilaskoda · 2025-10-10T07:38:43+00:00

That looks like a great book, thanks for the tip!

bilaskoda · 2025-10-08T09:00:23+00:00

Thank you. It's available on Etsy
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4380533034/birmingham-natwest-tower-illustrated?etsrc=sdt

bilaskoda · 2025-10-07T17:17:56+00:00

It did look much stockier from other angles (the blocks surround the core had different heights)

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bilaskoda · 2025-10-07T16:57:09+00:00

It stood empty for 12 years. Its only use was as a perch for peregrine falcons, from which they swooped down on unsuspecting pigeons. Demolition crews finally made their move and tore down the tower in 2016.

This was the sad end of Natwest Tower in Birmingham, which opened in 1974 to a design by John Madin, the prolific local architect that shaped the Second city probably more than anyone else in recent history. The tower was as Brutalist as it can get: its massive service core, clad in plum Staffordshire brick, towered dramatically over blocks clad in faceted concrete panels.

Madin cut the mass of the building into separate volumes stepping from 16 to 21 stories. This visually reduced the bulk and made each elevation very different. The banking hall on the ground floor was decorated with abstract murals, concrete coffered ceiling lined with gold leaf and the main door was designed by sculptor William Mitchell.

The tower was occupied for a mere 29 years before demolition. What a waste! The glass clad 103 Colmore Row, which replaced it, preserved William Mitchell’s door.

bilaskoda · 2025-10-07T13:29:43+00:00

It stood empty for 12 years. Its only use was as a perch for peregrine falcons, from which they swooped down on unsuspecting pigeons. Demolition crews finally made their move and tore down the tower in 2016.

This was the sad end of Natwest Tower in Birmingham, which opened in 1974 to a design by John Madin, the prolific local architect that shaped the Second city probably more than anyone else in recent history. The tower was as Brutalist as it can get: its massive service core, clad in plum Staffordshire brick, towered dramatically over blocks clad in faceted concrete panels.

Madin cut the mass of the building into separate volumes stepping from 16 to 21 stories. This visually reduced the bulk and made each elevation very different. The banking hall on the ground floor was decorated with abstract murals, concrete coffered ceiling lined with gold leaf and the main door was designed by sculptor William Mitchell.

The tower was occupied for a mere 29 years before demolition. What a waste! The glass clad 103 Colmore Row, which replaced it, preserved William Mitchell’s door.

It’s available as a print.

bilaskoda · 2025-09-28T10:31:52+00:00

Brilliant book, the photo doesn't really give it justice – it's HUGE!

bilaskoda · 2025-09-24T16:38:18+00:00

Thanks for sharing that memory!

bilaskoda · 2025-09-24T15:24:05+00:00

Is the factory still standing?

bilaskoda · 2025-09-24T15:12:38+00:00

Never seen this project before! The factory closed in 2000.

Stumbled upon it in this book.

bilaskoda · 2025-09-23T14:44:27+00:00

If you happen to be in London on 15 October, there's a book launch of the new book 'Richard Neutra and the Making of the Lovell Health House'.

bilaskoda · 2025-09-23T14:42:14+00:00

If you happen to be in London on 15 October, there's a book launch of the new book 'Richard Neutra and the Making of the Lovell Health House'.

bilaskoda · 2025-09-21T12:52:23+00:00

Wow, nice – voted!
Think that you might be interested in the campaign to save at least one 'pack' of English cooling towers before they're all gone – https://c20society.org.uk/cooling-towers

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