Postmodern Architecture in London, Architects, Images, Listing, England, Projects, Houses, News
Postmodern Buildings in London
British PoMo Buildings + Designs: Built Environment in the UK Capital
21 Dec 2015
Postmodern Architecture in London
An article has appeared in The Guardian by Rowan Moore focusing on Postmodern Buildings in London and increasing attempts to list those that remain:
Number 1 Poultry by James Stirling Michael Wilford and Associates:
photo © Adrian Welch
“Postmodern architecture in Britain closely matched the career of Margaret Thatcher. Its first flickerings were in the mid-70s, about the time she became leader of the opposition, followed by the style’s first substantial works during her first term as prime minister. By the time she left office in 1990, PoMo was on its way out, disowned by many of its practitioners, its demise hastened by the recession and building slump of the time. One or two monuments, such as the MI6 building and No 1 Poultry in the City of London, were due to the time lag in construction projects completed a few years later, but both were designed in the 1980s.”
SIS Building by Terry Farrell and Partners:
Rowan Moore goes on to say, “listing campaigns are hotting up: Historic England recently tried and failed to persuade the Department of Culture to protect James Stirling and Michael Wilford’s No 1 Poultry…But the real test will come when the MI6 building’s time for listing rolls round.” Buildings less than 30 years old “don’t get listed unless in exceptional circumstances”: the debate over No 1 Poultry has certainly divided architects. If there is any kind of consensus it probably is along the lines of ‘few of these buildings were classics but it was an interesting genre so let’s keep a few of the best’.
No 1 Poultry:
photo © Adrian Welch
Website: Postmodern Buildings in London article by Rowan Moore, 20 Dec 2015
Postmodernism straddled various disciplines from music to philosophy, from art to architecture. We’ve selected what we feel are the key examples of Postmodern Architecture. PoMo buildings tended to be American though the UK also features quite strongly.
We aim to include Postmodern buildings / projects that are either of top quality or interesting, or ideally both.
Key London Postmodernist Buildings, alphabetical:
Clore Gallery, Tate Gallery, West London
James Stirling Michael Wilford and Associates Ltd then Bain + Bevington Architects
photo © Adrian Welch
Clore Gallery Building
76 Fenchurch Street – Office Building, City of London
1987
Terry Farrell
The Thematic House, Holland Park, Northwest London
1979-84
Charles Jencks with Terry Farrell
Charles Jencks’ own house
Isle of Dogs Pumping Station, Stewart Street, East London
1988
John Outram
Marco Polo House, 346 Queenstown Road, Wandsworth, South London
1988
Ian Pollard ; completed in 1989 by Peter Argyrou Associates
Number 1 Poultry, City of London
James Stirling Michael Wilford and Associates Ltd completed as Michael Wilford and Partners Ltd
building image © Adrian Welch
Number 1 Poultry building
Highly controversial Postmodern building, criticised for its relationship with historic Mansion House buildings close by
Sainsbury Wing, National Gallery
–
Venturi Scott Brown
SIS Building, 85 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP
1994
Terry Farrell and Partners
photos © Nick Weall
MI6 HQ Building in London – built for the Secret Intelligence Service
Sunar furniture showroom, St Pancras, North London
1986
Michael Graves
TV-AM Offices, Camden, North London
1983
Terry Farrell
More London Postmodern Architecture online soon
Location: Number One Poultry, London, England, UK
London Buildings
Contemporary London Architecture Designs
London Architecture Designs – chronological list
London Architectural Tours – tailored UK capital city walks by e-architect
Key English Postmodernist Buildings outside London, alphabetical:
Aztec West business park, South Gloucestershire, west England
1989
Design: various architects – Michael Aukett; CZWG; Nicholas Grimshaw; SOM
Harp Heating, Swanley, Kent
–
John Outram
The New House, Sussex
1978-86
John Outram
Comments / photos for the Postmodern Architecture – PoMo Building page welcome
Postmodern Architecture – page
No 1 Poultry Listing Refused
The DCMS has refused to list No1 Poultry – ignoring Historic England’s advice.
photo © Adrian Welch
photo © Adrian Welch
photo © Adrian Welch
Architects with Postmodern Links
Wexner Center for the Visual Arts
Number One Poultry architects – James Stirling Michael Wilford
Wexner Center for the Visual Arts
Comments / photos for the Postmodern Buildings in London – British PoMo Architecture page welcome