Adapting Civic Architecture

About me

I am currently on an Emerging Talent Placement as a Participation Programmes Assistant in Historic England’s Swindon office, working across a range of heritage engagement projects.

My placement has included researching and making further connections between the Missing Pieces, The National Blue Plaque Scheme  and High Street Heritage Action Zones initiatives.

I am also a postgraduate architecture student entering my final year at the University of Bath, with a particular interest in retrofit and the conservation of existing buildings and how a community’s history can be celebrated through adaption and public engagement.

The history of civic architecture

Listed civic buildings, particularly educational buildings sit at a unique intersection between preserving history and celebrating the everyday use of a space. While civic architecture, particularly educational buildings during the nineteenth century, consisted of grand architectural styles, such as Victorian, Gothic and Renaissance, this changed during the mid twentieth century with Brutalism and again during the 21st century, with a more modular style of architecture. Additionally, the refurbishment and retrofit of historical architecture has become more widespread.

Southwark’s Primary School Expansion Programme delivered eleven refurbished or new primary schools across the borough, including the Old Bellenden School, currently known as the Bellenden Primary School. Haverstock architects were instrumental in the restoration of the Old Bellenden School, with the school dating back to 1877.

An equally impressive restoration was also conducted at the former Grade II listed Rugby Radio Station. The building was converted into a secondary school, retaining original features such as the historic walls.
Through these two case studies I will explore how adapting listed civic buildings, rather than demolishing them, can preserve the shared memories of communities while also meeting the modern needs of twenty first century schools.

The Rugby Radio Station: Neo-Georgian and Classical architecture

The Rugby Radio Station is a Grade II listed building located towards the outskirts of Rugby; the station became the head of global communications in the 1920s, however this started to decline during the early 2000s due to the decline of commercial maritime services. Additionally new developments towards the east of Rugby led to an increase in families moving into the area. Due to a combination of these factors the decision was made to refurbish the existing buildings into a school for the community.

The Radio Station was operational from 1926, housing the GBR radio transmitter, which during that time was the most powerful radio transmitter globally, with its first transatlantic radio transmission to Houlton, USA. Launching the first transatlantic telephone service in 1927, with the first call made by Sir Evelyn Murray of the British General Post Office in London and Walter S. Gifford, the president of telecommunications company AT&T in New York. During the Second World War the station played an equally important role in supporting the RAF, providing high-power short-wave transmitters that were used to disrupt the German communications. Due to this increase in telecommunications the radio station expanded extensively during the 1950’s, with fifty-seven transmitters.

 However, as a result of the decline of commercial maritime services and the development of newer technologies such as undersea transatlantic cables, the popularity of the station started to decline. Rather than demolishing the Grade II listed building known as ‘C-Station’, the building was converted into a school. As part of the design process reviews of the historic drawings were conducted; this included the analyses of the original section of the Transmission Hall. Additional site investigations were conducted during 3D Cloud Survey, which created a 3D interactive model of the existing building.

Sustainable works included the exterior of the transmission building, with a particular interest of mine being the addition of the new internal steelwork frame and stairs. This allowed the building to be adapted to accommodate spaces for the art, music and dance. Another interest that I admire is the decision to repair the external features of the building, preserving the Historic brick façade while also celebrating the history of the site, both past and present.

The Old Bellenden School: Victorian architecture

The Old Bellenden School, now known as the Belham Primary School, is a Grade II listed building on Bellenden Road in Southwark, London. Constructed in 1877, the credit for the design of the building was attributed to the architect, Robson, who was responsible for designing a number of schools by the London School board. Although there is no specific mention of a building contractor for the works. The London School Board had an impressive legacy towards the end of the 19th century with over 400 civic buildings constructed as part the drive to provide all children with an education. Civic building during that era were often seen just as important as churches, as stated by the architect Edward Robert Robson describing them as, ‘sermons in brick’.

A particular aspect of the project that I value is the decision to restore the building, which was led by the architecture practice Haverstock. The building had remained vacant since 1988 after the school moved into a new building, with later alterations such as partitions and kitchens being installed by community groups. While this presented its fair share of challenges, the decision to conduct remedial works as well as more modern adaptations is an aspect that I admire.

 
In my view another notable aspect was Haverstock’s decision to collaborate with a number of different organisations such as Historic England, who gave advice on how best to conserve the historic features of the school, this included preserving the historic gables. 
As the existing school was unable to accommodate the current facility needs, a new extension was also constructed. The decision was made to preserve the historic brick material and also provide a new extension to the building, featuring a Corten Steel box on a brick plinth. While the extension is distinguishable in my view, it is a thoughtful decision as it showcases how a building can be extended, while also honouring the scale and detail of the existing listed building.

This thoughtful reference and consideration of past and present, is best described by the Executive Headteacher Sonia Case, “Education and community have been brought together, as has the best of new and old designs”.

Similarly internal works included the refurbishment of learning spaces and the introduction of flexible learning spaces. Additionally, the existing roof structure was also supported on timber trusses and new classrooms were arranged to reflect the original structure of the existing building, taking advantage of the spacious proportions. I value this approach of working in harmony with the existing building to create a hybrid of old and new, both internally and externally. Showcasing the importance of celebrating listed architecture that would otherwise have been lost, along with the community’s memories associated to them.

Add your missing pieces

If you have a story or visited either of the two-buildings mentioned, you can sign up now to add your own contributions to the following list entries:

• The Rugby Radio Station 
• The Old Bellenden School

Please note we are not seeking recently taken photographs with identifiable people in them for privacy reasons.

More civic buildings

Late Gothic and Jacobean/Renaissance transitional style (1485 to 1625)

• Shrewsbury School, Grade I listed, founded in 1552 by King Edward VI, now the public library.

 Neo-Gothic (1730 to 1930) 

• New Court at Trinity College Cambridge, Grade I listed, built between 1823 and 1825, repaired to provide university accommodation, with retrofit elements also included. 

Victorian style (1837-1901)

• School The Grove Building, Church Street, Warminster, Grade II listed (late Victorian Style, built in 1899) 
• North Western Block at the British School, Queen Street, Hertfordshire, Grade II listed (Victorian Classical style, built between 1837 and 1857)

Brutalist style (1951 to 1970s)

• The Institute of Education at UCL, built in 1970, a Grade II* listed building that was retrofitted by Hudson Architects.
• Smithdon School Including Main Block, Water Tower, Workshops and Kitchens, built between 1950 and 1954, Grade II* listed.

Post-war modernist style (Mid 1940s to 1980s)

• The Phoenix Primary school, Grade II listed, built in 1966, formerly known as the Evelyn Lowe School, Bermondsey. This project involved the retention of the existing building and a construction of new pods.