- Architecture of Birmingham
Although
Birmingham inEngland has existed as a settlement for over 1,000 years, today's city is overwhelmingly a product of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, with little surviving from its early history. As it has expanded, it has acquired a variety ofarchitectural style s. Buildings of most modern architectural styles in theUnited Kingdom are located in Birmingham. In recent years, Birmingham was one of the first cities to exhibit theblobitecture style with the construction of the Selfridges store at the Bullring Shopping Centre.Birmingham is a young city, having grown rapidly as a result of the
Industrial Revolution starting in the 18th century. There are very few buildings remaining in Birmingham prior to this. Further loss has been demonstrated through the effects of war and redevelopment, especially followingWorld War II . Industrialisation has also led to buildings being demolished but the prosperity brought with it led to some of the city's grandest buildings being constructed. Industrialisation and the growth of the city led to its boundaries expanding and the city acquired other forms of architecture. As of April 2006, there are 1,946listed buildings in Birmingham , thirteenscheduled ancient monument s [cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/ELibrary?E_LIBRARY_ID=75&a=1083070309470 |title=Schedule of Nationally Listed Buildings of Historic Interest |publisher=Birmingham City Council |format=pdf |month=April | year=2006 |accessdate=2007-10-26] and 27conservation area s.cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/conservationareas.bcc |publisher=Birmingham City Council |title=Birmingham's Conservation Areas |accessdate=2007-10-26]Many well-known architects come from Birmingham. From the Victorian era,
Yeoville Thomason ,J. A. Chatwin andMartin & Chamberlain made a big impact on the city. In the early 20th century,Harry Weedon designed over 300 Odeon cinemas across the country. Hurley Robinson also designed numerous cinemas around the United Kingdom.William Alexander Harvey played a key part in the design and construction ofBournville . In thepostwar period,John Madin became a prolific architect and more recently,Glenn Howells andKen Shuttleworth have made their mark on the international stage.11th-17th centuries
Little survives from Birmingham's early history as Birmingham was a small settlement situated near the
River Rea inDeritend . However, there are buildings from around the 15th century that survive in the city. Some exhibit acruck timber frame construction whilst buildings that were built later on start to show the use of stone and brick as the preferred construction material. There are only seven cruck-framed medieval buildings in Birmingham. [cite web|url=http://www.institutions.org.uk/genealogy/walmley_history.htm |title=A part of Walmley |author=Jan Brettle |month=June |year=2003 |publisher=Rossbret Institutions Website |accessdate=2007-11-28]It is believed that Birmingham's origins stem back to a crossing at the
River Rea in modern-dayDigbeth . In this area, St. Martin's Church was constructed in the centre of the Bull Ring and was Birmingham's original parish church. A church has stood on the site since the 12th century. It was extensively rebuilt to a new design byJ. A. Chatwin in 1873, retaining some original walls and foundations. Inside the church is aneffigy of Sir William de Bermingham - amedieval lord of the manor, dating from 1325. [cite web|url=http://www.birminghamheritage.org.uk/stmartin.htm |title=St. Martin’s in the Bullring |publisher=Birmingham Heritage |accessdate=2008-05-08] This is one of the few surviving links to Birmingham's medieval past. St Edburgha's Church in Yardley dates to the 13th century, and is another relic from this period. [cite book |title=Images of England: Yardley |pages=Introduction |last=Byrne |first=Michael |year=2002 |publisher=Tempus Publishing |isbn=0-7254-0339-7]The oldest house in Birmingham is the "
Lad in the Lane "public house inBromford ,Erdington , which dates to 1400.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/5224702.stm |title=City's oldest house dated at 1400 |publisher=BBC News |date=2006-07-28 |accessdate=2007-11-28] Prior to the "Lad in the Lane" public house being dated, New Shipton Barn in Walmley was considered to be the oldest house in Birmingham, being built in 1425. Other surviving black-and-white timber buildings include "The Old Crown"public house inDigbeth which dates to the 15th century, [cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=841&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=2 |publisher=Birmingham City Council |title=The Old Crown |accessdate=2007-09-23] although it is claimed to have existed as early as the 14th century. [Cite book| title = The Old Crown House at Deritend, Birmingham: glimpses of its history, owners and landlords from 1368| publisher = publisher| isbn = 0-9523854-0-6| last = Thompson| first = Michael J| year = 1994] The 'Stone' public house in Northfield and Stratford House (1601) inSparkbrook are also other examples of such buildings. [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=10-1]Other buildings from this period include Bournbrook Hall in
Bournville , Selly Manor, a Tudormanor house ,Minworth Greaves, a medieval hall, [cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=882&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=12851&EXPAND=2 |publisher=Birmingham City Council |title=Selly Manor and Minworth Greaves |accessdate=2007-09-23] the 15th century "Saracen's Head " [IoE|217168] and "Old Grammar School" inKings Norton , [IoE|217166] Handsworth Old Town Hall, built in 1460; an example of early cruck timber frame construction, [cite web|url=http://www.handsworth-history.org/hhs_oth_1.html |publisher=Handsworth Historical Society |title=Handsworth "Old Town Hall" |accessdate=2007-09-23] andBlakesley Hall in Yardley, which was built by Richard Smalbroke in 1590. [cite web|url=http://www.bmag.org.uk/index.php?type=element&maincat=1&subcat=2&subelement=2l |publisher=Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery| title=Blakesley Hall |accessdate=2007-09-23]The 17th century saw the transition from timber frame to brick and stone construction. An example of this in Birmingham is
Aston Hall , which was completed in 1635 for SirThomas Holte . It was designed byJohn Thorpe and features the Jacobean style, which was popular amongst large buildings of this type during the 17th century. [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=11]Sutton Coldfield began to expand during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries as a result of investment by Bishop Vesey. The architect Sir William Wilson made his impact on the streetscape in the area as well as other towns and cities throughout the country. As well as designing Four Oaks Hall for Lord Ffolliot, he also designed Moat House for him and his wife. This was completed in 1680."The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield - A Commemorative History", Douglas V. Jones, 1994, Westwood Press (ISBN 0-9502636-7-2)] [IoE|216596]18th-19th centuries
Birmingham began to expand during the 18th century due to the
Industrial Revolution and the prosperity that it brought with it. The expansion of the town's industry brought industrialists to the town, and they constructed their own houses as well as modifying existing ones. Communities within Birmingham's boundaries also began to expand, resulting in the construction of houses and public facilities such as churches. Much of the buildings built in the 18th and 19th centuries were designed by local architects who developed reputations throughout the city and were to go on to design more buildings.As the population of the town increased, attendance at churches increased and this led to the construction of St. Philip's Cathedral, which was built in 1715 as a parish church and designed by
Thomas Archer . It is in the heart of the city, with glass windows byEdward Burne-Jones . Another church that was built during the 18th century is St Paul's Church which was designed by Roger Eykyns ofWolverhampton and completed in 1779, although the tower was built in 1823 to a design byFrancis Goodwin . [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=16-7]In 1704, the Job Marston Chapel (now the Church of the Ascension) in
Hall Green , which is believed to have been designed by him, was completed. This is thought to have been the work of Sir William Wilson. [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=13] Also in Hall Green isSarehole Mill which dates to 1542, although the current structure is thought to have been built in 1771. [cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/sarehole.bcc |publisher=Birmingham City Council |title=Sarehole Mill |accessdate=2007-09-23] The building remains today and is Grade II listed. [IoE|216971] Sarehole Mill and its millers inspiredJ. R. R. Tolkien , author of "The Lord of the Rings ", to create theHobbit millerTed Sandyman and his mill. [ME-ref|fotr|Foreword] [ME-ref|Biography] InEdgbaston isEdgbaston Hall , now used by Edgbaston Golf Club, which was built in 1717 by Sir Richard Gough. [cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=42445&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=10277 |publisher=Birmingham City Council |title=Edgbaston Hall |accessdate=2007-09-23] In 1758, John Perrott built the convert|29|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on metre highPerrott's Folly inLadywood .Perry Bridge , built in 1711 inPerry Barr to replace an earlier bridge, is another example of a structure built during this time. [cite web|url=http://www.bmagic.org.uk/objects/1966P23 |publisher=Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery |title=View of Cottages near Perry Bridge, Perry Barr |accessdate=2007-09-23] The industrial expansion of Birmingham attracted industrialists to the city.Soho House , in Handsworth, was completed in 1796 and was designed by brothersSamuel Wyatt andJames Wyatt as the home for the wealthy industrialistMatthew Boulton . [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=17-8] The Industrial Revolution did not just attract wealthy industrialists to Birmingham. The need to house the many industrial workers who flocked to the city from other areas during the Industrial Revolution led to the construction of many streets and terraces ofback-to-back house s, some of which were later to become inner-cityslum s. Remaining examples of inner-city domestic buildings are located on Kingston Row, which was built around 1780 and modernised by J. A. Maudsley, theCity Architect of Birmingham , in 1969. [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=17] A later example of back-to-back houses are theBirmingham Back to Backs , the last remaining back-to-back houses in the city, which were built in 1830. [cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/ELibrary?E_LIBRARY_ID=93&a=1157290087529 |publisher=Birmingham City Council |title=Back to back in Birmingham |format=pdf |accessdate=2007-09-23] These have been renovated and turned into a museum run by the National Trust. [cite book |author=Kennedy, Liam |title=Remaking Birmingham: The Visual Culture of Urban Regeneration |year=2004 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=041528838X] Many houses dating from around this period arelisted building s.Attendance at churches still increased and parish churches across the town were commissioned for construction. In 1823,Francis Goodwin 's Holy Trinity Church in Bordesley was completed. The Commissioner's church is ofGothic architecture , which was popular during this time. [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=19-20]Baroque architecture andNeoclassical architecture were also becoming popular in Birmingham during this time and early buildings which used the Neoclassical building style include theBirmingham Proof House by John Horton which was built in 1813. The Jacobean style gates were added in 1883. [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=19] The style became predominantly popular in the centre of the town during the 1820s, which is reflected in Regency House on Waterloo Street. Although the architect is unknown, they are believed to have been influenced by SirJohn Soane . [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=21-2] The building features copies of the Corinthian columns used at theTower of the Winds inAthens . Domestic buildings also used this style of architecture, such as the houses at 116-120 Moseley Road which were also built during the 1820s. The two houses featurestucco fronts with unusually large bay windows. [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=20] St Thomas's Church, which was bombed duringWorld War II , was built in 1827 and is an example of neoclassical architecture being used in the design of churches in Birmingham. It was designed byHenry Hutchinson ofRickman and Hutchinson and features a tower and quadrant Ionic porticoes. [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=22] The most well-known pre-Victorian example of this architecture in Birmingham isBirmingham Town Hall which was designed byJoseph Hansom and Edward Welch, and completed in 1834. In 1835,Charles Edge was commissioned to repair weaknesses to the design of the building. He was also commissioned for the extension of the building in 1837 and again in 1850. [cite web|url=http://www.virtualbrum.co.uk/townhall.htm |publisher=Virtual Brum |title=The Town Hall |accessdate=2007-09-23] Edge was also responsible for the Market Hall in the Bull Ring which was completed in 1835, [cite book |author=Chinn, Carl |authorlink=Carl Chinn |title=Brum and Brummies: Volume 2 |pages=Chapter 1: The Heart of Brum: The Bull Ring |year=2001 |isbn=1-85858-202-4] as well as many classical shop frontages and office buildings on Bennett's Hill and the surrounding area. [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=23]Victorian era
The financial benefits of the Industrial Revolution provided Victorian Birmingham with an extensive building programme, with the construction of elaborate churches and public buildings. The use of neoclassical architecture was carried on into this era alongside the use of red brick and terracotta, which was pioneered during this period. Red terracotta was useful as a substitute for natural stone which Birmingham lacked and it also was resistant to soot and smoke which was prevalent in the city due to the heavy industrial presence.cite web |url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/ELibrary?E_LIBRARY_ID=74&a=1199241745519 |title=Birmingham Terracotta |author=Nicola Coxon (Birmingham City Council Planning Department) |publisher=Ibstock Hathernware (republished by Birmingham City Council) |year=2001 |accessdate=2008-08-18] This construction period and general expansion of the urban area led to Birmingham being designated city status by Queen Victoria in 1889. Birmingham also acquired its own council which led to the construction of civic buildings.
Birmingham's importance as a growing town led to the construction of municipal buildings, which were designed by some of the most prominent architects of the time. Sir
Aston Webb andIngress Bell 's Victoria Law Courts were completed in 1891 and feature extensive use of terracotta on the exterior. The ornamentation on the exterior, which includes a statue of Queen Victoria, is carried on inside the building.cite book|author=Andy Foster|title=Pevsner Architectural Guides - Birmingham|year=2005|isbn=0-300-10731-5] Webb was not the only major architect to make an impact on Birmingham.Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin designed St. Chad's Cathedral, which was completed in 1841 and granted status as a cathedral in 1850. [cite web|url=http://www.stchadscathedral.org.uk/history.php |publisher=St Chad's Cathedral |title=History |accessdate=2007-09-23] Pugin's work in Birmingham also includesErdington Abbey (1850), Oscott College (1838), [cite web|url=http://www.oscott.net/history.htm |publisher=St Mary's College, Oscott |title=History |accessdate=2007-09-23] and the Convent of Our Lady of Mercy in Hockley (1845). [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=28-9]Despite major architects making impacts across the country, locally-born or resident architects were the more dominant group in Birmingham.
Yeoville Thomason , who was born in Edinburgh to a Birmingham family, designed many important buildings with the most significant being the Museum & Art Gallery and the Council House, which were completed in 1879. [IoE|217695] His range of designs included theSingers Hill Synagogue and a variety of offices for banks. He also designed the original Lewis's Department Store, which was completed in 1889 as Birmingham's first concrete and iron building, on Corporation Street.cite book|author=Bryan Little|title=Birmingham Buildings, The Architectural Story of a Midland City|year=1971|year=0-7153-5295-4]Martin & Chamberlain were prolific architects in Birmingham during the Victorian era, having designed 41Birmingham board schools .John Henry Chamberlain , who was not of local descent, was part of Martin & Chamberlain. His works in Birmingham include Highbury Hall andBirmingham School of Art , [cite web|url=http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/expats/pastpres/tm_objectid=11996804&method=full&siteid=50003&headline=man-who-built-city-s-civic-pride-name_page.html |title=Man who built city's civic pride |publisher=icBirmingham |accessdate=2007-09-23] which was completed by his son Frederick Martin following his sudden death in 1883.J. A. Chatwin became one of the most prolific architects involved in the construction or alteration of churches in Birmingham. Some of his most significant works include the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Birmingham, which was completed in 1873, [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=36] Aston Parish Church in 1879, andSt Martin in the Bull Ring in 1873. As well as designing churches, he designed theKing Edward VI High School for Girls on New Street in 1866 andBingley Hall in 1850. His sonP. B. Chatwin also became an architect, designingKing Edward VI Handsworth in 1911 and St. Mary the Virgin Church and Church Hall,Acocks Green which opened around 1908.Railways arrived in Birmingham in 1837 at Vauxhall station. One year later, Philip Hardwick's
Curzon Street railway station opened and it remains as the world's oldest surviving piece of monumental railway architecture. [cite book |author=Cragg, Roger |title=Civil Engineering Heritage: Wales and West Central England |pages=193-4 |date=1997 (2nd edn) |publisher=Thomas Telford |location=London |isbn=0-7277-2576-9] Designed in the neoclassical style, it was built as a copy of theEuston Arch , also by Hardwick, inLondon . The building ceased use as a railway station in 1966 and is disused. [cite web|url=http://www.railaroundbirmingham.co.uk/Stations/curzon_street.php |publisher=Rail Around Birmingham and the West Midlands |title=Curzon Street Station |accessdate=2007-09-23] Many other railway stations throughout the city were built of red brick and terracotta. The construction ofBirmingham Snow Hill station led to the construction of theGreat Western Arcade in 1876, which was designed by W. H. Ward. [IoE|217163] Wealthy landowners saw business opportunities as a result of the arrival of the railways in Birmingham. One such land owner, Isaac Horton, commissionedThomson Plevins to design a hotel forColmore Row . The result was the Grand Hotel which was completed in 1875 in the French Renaissance-style. The hotel was altered and extended in 1876, 1891 and 1895. The hotel is now empty and unused and was saved from demolition when it was granted Grade II listed status in May 2004. Another Plevins hotel for Isaac Horton is the Midland Hotel (now the Burlington Hotel) on New Street. Horton constructed hotels next to railway stations to maximise trade and made them attractive to visitors decorating them lavishly on the inside as well as on the exterior.cite web|url=http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/birmingham/trails/TRA25212.html?ixsid=wAV7QjG0WKI |title=Birmingham's Buildings In Danger |last=Tappenden |first=Roslyn |date=2004-12-14 |work=City Heritage Guides |publisher=24 Hour Museum |accessdate=2008-08-26] Other transport improvements in the town improved the quality of life as well as the provision of commercial space in the town. The cutting of Corporation Street through slums in the city centre began in 1878cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=87359&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=10277 |publisher=Birmingham City Council |title=Corporation Street |accessdate=2007-09-23] and much of the work for designing the buildings that were to line the street was given to Martin & Chamberlain. Many of the buildings, which had leases of 99 years, were demolished in thepost-war period. However, the street has retained many of its fine Victorian buildings above modern ground-floor façades, providing an insight into how the city once looked.The city has several Victorian green men (or foliate heads) which consist of unusual human heads, carved of stone with vegetation growing out of their faces. [cite book |author=George Noszlopy |coauthors=Jeremy Beach |title=Public Sculpture of Birmingham |year=1998 |publisher=Liverpool University Press |isbn=0853236925] Notable Arts and Crafts buildings include 21 Yateley Road,
Edgbaston , designed by the architectHerbert Tudor Buckland as his own home, and listed Grade I (neighbouring buildings are also listed, Grade II) and his Walkers Factory, inDigbeth .In the late 19th century,
James & Lister Lea became prolific designers ofpublic house s in Birmingham. They designed The Woodman (1896-7) [IoE|409752] , the Swan and Mitre (1899) [IoE|409973] , The White Swan (1900) [IoE|409971] , The Anchor Inn (1901) [IoE|409970] and The City Tavern (1901). [IoE|470193] Many of these pubs are now listed buildings and were built of red brick and terracotta. [cite web|url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/default.aspx |title=Main page |publisher=Images of England |accessdate=2007-09-23]1901-1945
The late-Victorian era of
red brick and terracotta gave way to coloured glazed terracotta - faïence: examples being the Trocadero in Temple Street, completed around 1902, and the Piccadilly Arcade, completed in 1909 as a cinema, on New Street. Glazed brick was also used with examples including Moor Street Station (1909-1914). Terracotta still remained in use, for example, in the Methodist Central Hall on Corporation Street.Classical architecture made a return as a preferred choice of architecture during the 1920s and 1930s as well asArt Deco , which was pioneered during the 1930s.The original buildings of the
University of Birmingham , including its clock tower andThe Barber Institute of Fine Arts (opened 1939), and the large Council House Extension and bridge housing theBirmingham Museum & Art Gallery (1911-1919) are from this period. S.N. Cooke and W.N. Twist's Hall of Memory (1922-25) and T. Cecil Howitt'sBaskerville House on Broad Street (1938) were part of a large civic complex scheme designed by William Haywood.cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=91618&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=10277 |publisher=Birmingham City Council |title=Baskerville House |accessdate=2007-09-23] The Trinity Road Stand at Aston Villa'sVilla Park ground was completed in 1924,cite web|url=http://www.apwj49.dsl.pipex.com/lost/trinity.htm |title=The Trinity Road Stand |publisher=Internet Football Ground Guide |accessdate=2007-09-23] and was considered the grandest in the land, complete with stained glass windows, Italian mosaics and sweeping staircase, it was thought of as architect Archibald Leitch's masterpiece [cite web|url=http://astonvilla.blogfootball.com/theAlmanac/park |publisher=Heroes and Villains |title=Villa Park |accessdate=2007-09-23] and was described as "the St Pancras of football" by a "Sunday Times" reporter in 1960. It was demolished in 2000. The Blue Coat School inHarborne dates from 1930, the King Edward VI boys' and girls' schools in Edgbaston from 1840, and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital from 1933-8. A distinctiveArt Deco cinema is the Odeon inKingstanding (1935). [cite book |author=Jane Turner |title=The Dictionary of Art |year=1996 |publisher=Grove |isbn=1884446000] [cite book |author=Anne Massey |title=Hollywood Beyond the Screen: Design and Material Culture |year=2000 |publisher=Berg Publishers |isbn=1859733212] Many cinemas were constructed byOscar Deutsch who commissioned Birmingham-born architectHarry Weedon to design many of these cinemas. Weedon's designs also extended to industrial buildings and he designed the Typhoo Tea factory inDigbeth in 1936. Art-Deco architecture became popular in the design of cinemas, however, it was not so widespread in other buildings. In 1933, the new Kent Street Baths, operated by theBirmingham Baths Committee , was completed to a design by Hurley Robinson. This is one of the first non-cinema buildings in Birmingham to feature this style of architecture. Another prominent building featuring this style is the former Times Furbishing Company store on the High Street in Birmingham, now aWaterstone's store. The building was completed in 1938 to a design by Burnett and Eprile.cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=65]The
Bournville Village Trust was set up in 1900 to manage theBournville estate and public buildings growing around Cadbury's inBournville . [cite web|url=http://www.bvt.org.uk/history/george.html |publisher=Bournville Village Trust |title=George Cadbury |accessdate=2007-09-23] Much of the planning was done byWilliam Alexander Harvey . [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=57] In addition, the Birmingham-born architect, Town Planner and Secretary of theBirmingham Civic Society , William Haywood, did much to raise the profile of the improvement of Birmingham in the inter-war years.The "reformed pubs" started just after 1900 - large 'family' pubs intended to replace the workers' and drinking men's pubs of the previous century. Such pubs included The Black Horse on the Bristol Road in Northfield which was completed in 1929.
Birmingham's first multi-storey block of flats was built in 1937 on the Bristol Road. The building, called Viceroy Close, was designed by Mitchell and Bridgwater in partnership with Gollins and Smeeton. It also features sculptures by
Oliver O'Connor Barrett . In the same year, the Art Deco Petersfield Court inHall Green was completed. The building contains 14 flats and consists of large curved corner windows.Post World War II architecture
Birmingham's industrial importance in
World War II led to heavy and destructive bombing raids during theBirmingham Blitz . This claimed many lives and many buildings too, but the planned destruction that took place in post-war Birmingham was also extensive. Birmingham again began to expand and reached a peak in its population in 1951. This produced a demand for housing as well as the reconstruction and improvement of public facilities.As a result of this demand, combined with Victorian architectural styles falling out of favour, dozens of fine Victorian buildings like the intricate glass-roofed
Birmingham New Street Station ,Cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=89806&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=10277 |publisher=Birmingham City Council |title=Aerial View of New Street Station 1963 |accessdate=2007-09-23] and the old Central Library, were destroyed in the 1950s and 1960s. [cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=46357&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=260 |publisher=Birmingham City Council |title=Central Library - from old to new |accessdate=2007-09-23] These planning decisions were to have a profound effect on the image of Birmingham in subsequent decades, with the mix of concretering road s, shopping centres andtower block s giving Birmingham a 'concrete jungle ' tag. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2701829.stm |title=Tackling congestion in Birmingham |publisher=BBC News |date=2003-02-13 |accessdate=2007-09-23] To cope with the demanding requirements for housing and public buildings in the post-war years, the Public Works Department of Birmingham City Council established a city engineer and a city architect position within the department. SirHerbert Manzoni was made city engineer of Birmingham and his work included the construction of the Inner Ring Road, Middle Ring Road and the Outer Ring Road, which necessitated the purchase and clearance of vast areas of land. As well as this, he designated large areas of land redevelopment areas and set about clearing large areas of slums. Several architects were made thecity architect of Birmingham , with the first beingAlwyn Sheppard Fidler who held the position from 1952 to 1964, when he walked out following disagreements over his design for theCastle Vale housing estate.cite web|url=http://www.gees.bham.ac.uk/research/cpp/membersfiles/phil/biggerbetter.pdf |title=Bigger is Better? Local authority housing and the strange attraction of high-rise, 1945-70 |author=Phil Jones, Urban Morphology Research Group |year=2002 |publisher=University of Birmingham |accessdate=2007-09-23 |format=pdf]The architecture produced following World War II has been met with mixed reaction. Many of the buildings constructed in this period have since been heavily criticised whilst others have been praised and listed. The past decade has seen the loss of many postwar buildings and more are set to be demolished in the coming years, some controversially such as John Madin's Central Library. [cite web |url=http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/dailynews/2008/08/birminghams_brutalist_library_to_be_demolished.html |title=Birmingham's Brutalist library to be demolished |publisher="
Architects Journal " |date=2008-08-15 |author=Richard Vaughan |accessdate=2008-08-18]Commercial buildings
Demand for offices had changed since the Victorian era with large office blocks being preferred by companies over small office buildings. Highrise office blocks offering large floorplates were constructed in city centre in the form of basic shapes such as cuboids. 'Big Top' was completed in the late 1950s and became the city's tallest office building and the first shopping centre in Birmingham. [cite book|author=Chris Upton|title=A History of Birmingham|year=1993|isbn=0-85033-870-0] This was followed by Laing's nearby Bull Ring Shopping Centre, which included plans for a large cylindrical office tower, in the 1960s. In 1964, The Rotunda, by James A. Roberts was completed as a separate development to the Bull Ring Shopping Centre. Although the building failed as an office tower, it became a landmark and received Grade II listed status in 2000. It was recently refurbished into apartments by
Urban Splash . [cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streetrotunda-birmingham-unitedkingdom |publisher=Emporis |title=The Rotunda |accessdate=2007-09-24] Other postwar office highrises constructed in the city centre includeThe McLaren Building andCentre City Tower , which were constructed towards the end of the 1960s and in the early 1970s. The tallest office building constructed in Birmingham at the time wasAlpha Tower , and it remains so today at convert|100|m|ft|0 in height.Domestic architecture
Slum clearances, the increase in the population of Birmingham and the destruction of housing during the Birmingham Blitz led to the council constructing thousands of housing units all over the city. Mostly designed by the
City Architect of Birmingham and the Public Works Department at the council, the schemes focussed on high-density housing in low-cost builds. The immediate need for housing straight after the war was tackled by constructing prefabricated bungalows. Initially, the city council resisted constructing them due to the lack of materials and labour. However, the council eventually constructed 2,500 whilst a further 2,000 were constructed on private plots. They were provided initially to those who were displaced by the destruction of their homes.cite web |url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/ELibrary?E_LIBRARY_ID=61&a=1080741348832 |title=Architecture & Austerity - Birmingham 1940-1950 |month=February |year=1995 |author=Birmingham City Council Department of Planning and Architecture |publisher=Birmingham City Council |accessdate=2008-08-23 |format=pdf] These structures were intended to be temporary, although many lasted longer than they were intended. A row of sixteen listed single storey Phoenix prefabs, built 1945 under the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act still exist on Wake Green Road and a 1940s Arcon V prefab was disassembled from Moat Lane in Yardley and transported to theAvoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings in 1981. [Cite book| last=Stratton |first=Michael |title=Twentieth Century Industrial Archaeology |pages=36 |year=2000 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=0419246800] Following the provision of these temporary structures, the local authority looked to providing permanent housing units.In July 1949, the city council approved a plan by the Birmingham COPEC Housing Improvement Society Ltd. to construct twenty flats for single women in Cob Lane. The council had been against flats initially as they had seen them as being unnecessary for their cost. However, as Birmingham's population expanded and the demand for housing increased, the idea of building flats and maisonettes across the city became more popular. Eventually, the city council acknowledged that there was a need for flats and started a programme to provide such properties for Birmingham's citizens.
A total of 464
tower block s above six storeys were built in Birmingham, 7% of all the tower blocks constructed in the United Kingdom, [cite book |author=Michael Stratton |title=Twentieth Century Industrial Archaeology |year=2000 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |pages=141] in the post-war years with the first Birmingham tower blocks being built inDuddeston , part of the Nechells and Duddeston Redevelopment Area, in the late-1950s. They were designed by SN Cooke and Partners and were extremely expensive for the city council. In 1960, the Lyndhurst estate inErdington was completed and the entire estate won a Civic Trust award in 1961. The main tower block on the estate, the 16 storey Harlech Tower, became the tallest tower block in the city, although it was later surpassed by many more tower blocks including the 32 storey Sentinels in the city centre, which were inspired by theMarina City complex inChicago . Stephenson Tower is another city-centre tower block, located on top of New Street Station. The planned refurbishment of New Street Station will see the demolition of the tower. [cite web|url=http://80.249.57.22/vault/XDDocStore_5/0186408_FINAL.New%20Street%20Station.C0506606OUT.pdf |title=Birmingham Gateway committee brief |publisher=Birmingham City Council |format=pdf |accessdate=2007-09-23] A group of four tower blocks located behind The Rep Theatre on Broad Street are currently undergoing an extensive renovation to improve their insulation and appearance. [cite web |url=http://www.wates.co.uk/living_space/living_space_projects/bconst_partner/ |title=Birmingham Construction Partnership |publisher=Wates |accessdate=2008-03-23]The largest high-rise housing estate in Britain was constructed at
Castle Vale with 34 tower blocks on the site ofCastle Bromwich Aerodrome . This became an unpopular area as it began to suffer from social deprivation as well as maintenance problems. As a result, one of the largest tower block demolition and renovation programmes anywhere in Europe began on the estate, with the construction of new buildings, squares and green public open spaces. [cite web|url=http://www.cvhat.org.uk/ |title=Castle Vale HAT |accessdate=2007-09-23]John Madin
John Madin and his architecture firm made an impact on city, from the 1960s to the 1970s, comparable to that of Martin & Chamberlain in the 19th century. His best known buildings includedBirmingham Central Library in Chamberlain Square. [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=93-4] [cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/ELibrary?E_LIBRARY_ID=59&a=1134944545704 |publisher=Birmingham City Council |title=Shaping the Seventies - 1970s Architecture in Birmingham |format=pdf |accessdate=2007-09-24] Built in 1974, it quickly became detested by the public for itsBrutalist architecture and was once described as "looking more like a place for burning books, than keeping them" by Prince Charles. Despite this, there have been campaigns launched to get the building listed status in more recent times. [cite web|url=http://www.c20society.org.uk/docs/casework/birmingham.html |title=One step closer to save Birmingham Central Library? |publisher=Twentieth Century Society |date=2006-10-28 |accessdate=2007-09-23] Another building by John Madin, received other views from the public. The Post and Mail building was completed in the late 1960s and upon its completion, the tower was hailed as a great achievement by the likes of Douglas Hickman, who worked with John Madin. [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=81-2] A lesser known building in the city by John Madin,Metropolitan House , shows the variety of architecture he brought to the city. Metropolitan House exhibited use of other exterior materials other than concrete.However, as Modernist architecture fell out of favour in the 1980s, proposals for the redevelopment of many of the buildings constructed in Birmingham from the 1960s and 1970s were aired including redevelopment proposals for the Post and Mail Tower (most including the total demolition of the tower). [cite web|url=http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=560 |publisher=SkyscraperNews |title=Post and Mail Scheme (Tower 1 Scheme C) |accessdate=2007-09-23] In 2005, demolition work began on the tower and a replacement office block has been constructed in its place. [cite web|url=http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=1788 |publisher=Skyscrapernews |title=Colmore Plaza |accessdate=2007-09-23] A building of similar architecture, the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce on the Hagley Road, still remains, however is under threat from demolition as the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce look for new premises. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/4104476.stm |title=The changing face of Birmingham |publisher=BBC News |date=2007-07-10 |accessdate=2007-09-23]
Present skyline
Recent developments
Under the
Birmingham Redevelopment Scheme , Birmingham has witnessed a new period of construction. Prompted by the regeneration of Broad Street throughBrindleyplace , which began construction in the early 1990s. It features office and other mixed-use buildings designed by separate architects. [cite book |author=Andy Coupland |title=Reclaiming the City: Mixed Use Development |year=1997 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=0419213600] The National Sea Life Centre in Brindleyplace was designed byFoster and Partners .cite book |author=Matthew Carmona |title=The Value of Urban Design: A Research Project Commissioned by CABE and DETR to Examine the Value Added by Good Urban Design |year=2001 |publisher=Thomas Telford |isbn=0727729810] Other architects involved in the development of Brindleyplace include Terry Farrell,Demetri Porphyrios ,Allies and Morrison andAssociated Architects .Other large-scale projects include the major Bullring Shopping Centre development by The Birmingham Alliance, which replaced the early 1960s shopping centre which had fallen out of favour with the public. The new shopping centre was completed in 2004 and was designed by Benoy. [cite web|url=http://www.benoy.com/ |title=Benoy |accessdate=2007-09-23] The shopping centre features the award-winning
Future Systems 'Selfridges building which is an irregularly-shaped structure, covered in thousands of reflective discs (see picture) and is a form ofblobitecture . In Eastside, the Learning and Leisure Zone has seen the construction of the Eastside branch ofMatthew Boulton College ,Millennium Point and theNew Technology Institute . Many large scale projects were proposed as part of theBirmingham Redevelopment Scheme .One of the most recent buildings to be constructed and opened within the city centre itself is
Ian Simpson 's Beetham Tower at Holloway Circus which was partially opened in January 2006. When topped out, it became the second tallest building in Birmingham at convert|122|m|ft|0, only being beaten by the BT Tower. [cite web|url=http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=153 |publisher=SkyscraperNews |title=Holloway Circus Tower |accessdate=2007-09-23] This has been prompted by the publication of the city council's "High Places" document which outlined locations along the city centre sandstone ridge that were deemed appropriate for the construction of high rise structures. [cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=13971&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=1453 |title=High Places |publisher=Birmingham City Council |accessdate=2007-10-26]Developers
Urban Splash recently completed the refurbishment ofFort Dunlop and The Rotunda [cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/bu/nc/ne/?id=101855 |title=Urban makes a splash at Rotunda |publisher=Emporis News |date=2007-07-29 |accessdate=2007-09-24] and are involved in the future refurbishment of three tower blocks on the Birchfield Road inPerry Barr . [cite web|url=http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?storyCode=3090255 |title=Urban Splash makes waves in Birmingham |publisher="Property Week " |date=2007-06-27 |accessdate=2007-09-24]Future developments
Further new projects are planned for the city under the
Birmingham Redevelopment Scheme . Birmingham's renaissance is a result of increased investment in the city and has led to some of the city's most ambitious schemes since the 1960s and 1970s being proposed. Plans include the construction of a new Central Library to replace the current building inChamberlain Square . [cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=88603&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=9&MENU_ID=260 |title=Capita Symonds appointed as Project Managers for the Library of Birmingham |publisher=Birmingham City Council |date=2006-09-01 |accessdate=2007-09-23]Eastside is the latest focus of major developments following the degrading of the Inner Ring Road, which resulted in the demolition of Masshouse Circus. [cite web |url=http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/tm_headline=eastside-regeneration-praised-by-eu-commissioner&method=full&objectid=18847236&siteid=50002-name_page.html |title=Eastside regeneration praised by EU commissioner |accessdate=2007-04-02 |publisher="Birmingham Post" |date=2007-04-02] On the site of Masshouse Circus, a mixed-use development named
Masshouse has begun construction. [cite web|url=http://www.masshouse.co.uk/ |title=Masshouse |accessdate=2007-09-23] Another plot of land made available for construction following the demolition of the elevated road junction isCity Park Gate , [cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=81562&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=0 |publisher=Birmingham City Council |title=City Park Gate |accessdate=2007-09-23] designed byMAKE Architects , whose design received outline planning permission in 2007. [cite web|url=http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=1069 |title=Make Architects get green light for City Park Gate project |publisher=World Architecture News |date=2007-05-14 |accessdate=2007-09-23] A large area of land has been cleared to make way for the Curzon Park development, which currently has outline planning permission. [Application number: C/04646/07/OUT at the Birmingham City Council Planning Department. Submitted 27/07/2007] Alongside this is a new city park which will run between Curzon Street and Millennium Point. [cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=66143&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=0 |publisher=Birmingham City Council |title=Eastside City Park |accessdate=2007-09-23] A large regeneration project namedEastside Locks has been proposed for the area andCurzon Gate is another development currently under construction in the area. In September 2007, a convert|200|m|ft|0|adj=on vertical theme park or "Vertiplex" by ROC International namedVTP200 was unveiled to the public and is yet to be submitted for planning consent. [cite web|url=http://www.skyscrapernews.com/news.php?ref=1104 |title=The Towering Fun Fair Of VTP200 |publisher=SkyscraperNews |date=2007-09-17 |accessdate=2007-09-23] Developers, the Birmingham Alliance, who are responsible for the redevelopment of the Bullring Shopping Centre andMartineau Place have also proposed a new mixed-use development on Corporation Street and Priory Queensway, frontingOld Square , calledMartineau Galleries to link the Eastside with the city core. [cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=81615&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=0 |publisher=Birmingham City Council |title=Martineau Galleries |accessdate=2007-09-23] The development would involve a major shopping area and a convert|110|m|ft|0|adj=on tall residential tower with a sloping roof constructed. It will replace Priory Square, which was designed by SirFrederick Gibberd . [cite book |first=Douglas |last=Hickman |title=Birmingham |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista Ltd. |pages=88]High rise structures are also being proposed in large numbers. In 1999, the Arena Central scheme on the former ATV studios on Broad Street was unveiled. It featured a convert|245|m|ft|0|adj=on tall residential tower. This was one of the first highrise buildings to be proposed in the high rise boom in Birmingham. The tower was later redesigned by
Eric Kuhne and unveiled as theV Building in March 2007. [cite web|url=http://www.dandara.com/the-v-building/ |publisher=Dandara |title=The V Building |accessdate=2007-09-23] The first buildings to be constructed as part of the highrise boom include theOrion Building on Navigation Street, which is nearing completion with Phase 4, called Sirius, well into construction. [cite web|url=http://www.crosbyhomes.co.uk/index.php?u=248_Sirius%2BHomepage |publisher=Crosby Homes |title=Sirius |accessdate=2007-09-23] The tower section of the complex features apartments and a penthouse designed by fashion designerJohn Rocha . [cite web|url=http://www.crosbyhomes.co.uk/index.php?u=64_Orion_Homepage |publisher=Crosby Homes |title=Orion Building |accessdate=2007-09-23] Proposed designs for the redevelopment of New Street Station were made public in February 2006. They showed a naturally lit foyer and two high rise buildings with the entire development set to cost approximately £500 million. [cite web|url=http://www.renewstreet.co.uk/ |title=ReNew Street |accessdate=2007-09-23] However, many have issued strong objections to the project and an international design competition has taken place for a concept architect. Other projects part of the highrise boom includeBroad Street Tower on Broad Street designed by Level7 Architects [cite web|url=http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=3089 |publisher=Skyscrapernews |title=Broad Street Tower |accessdate=2007-09-23] , The Cube to the rear ofThe Mailbox designed byKen Shuttleworth ofMAKE Architects , [cite web|url=http://www.thecubeiscoming.com/ |title=The Cube Is Coming |accessdate=2007-09-23] and the redevelopment of National Westminster House [cite web|url=http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=5367 |publisher=Skyscrapernews |title=103 Colmore Row |accessdate=2007-09-23] and1 Snow Hill Plaza , [cite web|url=http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=5396 |publisher=Skyscrapernews |title=No 1 Snow Hill Plaza |accessdate=2007-09-23] both designed by Hamiltons Architects.A major project breaking ground in Birmingham,
Snowhill , will see the construction of three large mixed-use blocks on wasteland. As a part of the development, St Chad's Circus was remodelled and Snow Hill Queensway was realigned. Building One, which is completely offices, is under construction along with Building 3, a 43 storey tower containing apartments connected by a bridge to a 23 storey tower consisting of a luxury hotel. Building Two of an identical design is set to commence construction in July 2008. The developer isBallymore and architects includeGlenn Howells and Sidell Gibson Architects. Completion is due in 2011. [cite web|url=http://www.ballymore.co.uk/site/ba_frameset.php |title=Ballymore |accessdate=2007-09-23]Conservation areas
Birmingham has 27conservation area s. The first conservation areas in Birmingham were designated in 1969. Birmingham City Council have designed 31 conservation areas,cite web |url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/ELibrary?E_LIBRARY_ID=112&a=1080741603559 |title=Conservation Area Properties Index |publisher=Birmingham City Council |date=2000-09-27 |format=pdf |accessdate=2008-08-23] of which one, St Peter's Place, have been de-designated in 1976 following the demolition of the church in its centre. [cite book| first=Peter J. |last=Larkham |title=Conservation and the City |pages=92 |publisher=Routledge |year=1996 |isbn=0415079470] TheCastle Bromwich Conservation Area was transferred toSolihull following a boundary amendment fromApril 1 1988 . The former Key Hill and St Paul's Conservation Areas were incorporated into the Jewellery Quarter Conservation Area onSeptember 27 2000 .ee also
*
Listed buildings in Birmingham
*List of tallest buildings and structures in Birmingham
*Birmingham Redevelopment Scheme References
External links
* [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/conservationareas Conservation areas in Birmingham]
* [http://www.e-architect.co.uk/birmingham_architecture.htm E-Architect: Birmingham Architecture]
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