Yesterday, Historic England confirmed to The AJ that, on its advice, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) had listed the centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, Hayward Gallery and staircases and staircases at Grade II.
The Twentieth Century Society, which launched a bid early last year to secure long-sought heritage protection for the centre, described the decision as ‘a victory over those who scoff at so-called “concrete monsters”.
The campaign group described the reinforced concrete complex as a ‘post-war architectural masterpiece’.
The riverside arts center was designed by the London County Council Special Works Group, consisting of Warren Chalk and Ron Heron of Archigram. When it opened in 1967, daily Mail Readers voted it ‘Britain’s ugliest building’.
It was the only post-war building on London’s South Bank to remain delisted, having been refused protection on six separate occasions by successive Culture Secretaries, who had repeatedly rejected the recommendations of Historic England (formerly English Heritage) since 1991.
Explaining the reasons for refusal in 2018, the DCMS said: ‘The architecture of the building is not unique or groundbreaking and is poorly resolved in terms of its relationship with the site, its coherence and its accessibility compared to the Royal Festival Hall and the National Theatre.’
The Southbank Center was renovated by Fieldon Clegg Bradley Studio working with Archer Humphreys Architects. Photo: Hufton + Crowe
Following that refusal, the architectural historian Otto Saumarez-Smith tweeted to the then Culture Secretary, Matt Hancock, complaining that his decision was ‘absurd and insulting’. The Victorian Society echoed the sentiment, accusing the government of jeopardizing the integrity of the listing system with its ‘absurd’ decision.
There were not many expectations that this time the results would be different.
But almost 12 months after the latest Southbank listing bid was submitted, the Heritage Minister, Fiona Twycross, accepted Historic England’s reasons for the listing designation (See full list of reasons below).
The heritage body had argued that the center needed conservation, in part, because of its ‘bold geometric structures, clustered for sculptural effect with a uniform dramatic silhouette’. The government’s heritage watchdog also praised ‘the use of exposed concrete, in which the sheer scale of the building is executed with technical skill exemplified by the exquisite texture and tactility of its surface.’
Twentieth Century Society’s latest listing bid was triggered by the expiry last February of the certificate of exemption from listing the center issued by DCMS in February 2020.
‘The lack of inventory had become a complete anomaly’
Responding to the DCMS decision, Katherine Croft, director of the Twentieth Century Society, said: ‘The battle has been won, and the cruelty has finally been exposed. It is a victory over those who ridiculed the so-called “concrete monsters” and reflects a mature recognition of the genre where Britain had led the way.
‘We are absolutely thrilled that this internationally recognized concrete masterpiece of post-war architecture has finally been accepted as part of our national heritage, almost 35 years after the Twentieth Century Society first campaigned to preserve the Southbank Centre.’
He further said, ‘The lack of listing had become a complete anomaly. It is considered one of the best Brutalist buildings in the world, so this decision is clearly very well-deserved and long-awaited.
‘The art complex is a highly refined, sculptural masterpiece, with immense richness of form and detail inside and out. The experience it offers concert audiences and gallery visitors is unlike any other venue in the country, its exquisite venues remain unmatched.’
Croft concluded: ‘Credit must go to the Heritage Minister, Baroness Twycross, who has done the right thing where her predecessors have failed to do over the past few decades, and to Historic England, who, with the Twentieth Century Society, has consistently made the case for its place on the National Register.’
Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Purcell Room and the Hayward Gallery reopened in 2018 after a two-year renovation led by Fielden Clegg Bradley Studio.
In October, an AJ analysis of the overall listing process revealed that, over the previous five years, ministers had rejected Historic England’s listing advice 10 times. Eight of these rejections occurred under Labor last year.
View paintings and drawings from the Hayward Gallery in the AJ Buildings Library
The Southbank Center after its renovation by Fielden Clegg Bradley Studios. Photo: Hufton + Crowe/Archer Humphreys
Historic England’s reasons for listing designation
architectural interest
- as a creative response to a challenging site; In contrast to the larger Royal Festival Hall, the building’s functions are expressed in bold geometric structures, combined to sculptural effect with a similarly dramatic silhouette;
- For the use of exposed concrete in which the sheer scale of the building is countered by the fine texture and finesse of its surface, executed with exemplary technical skill;
- For the spatial interest, sophisticated juxtaposition of materials, and high-quality finish of the major interior spaces, including the concert hall and lobby, and the galleries, stairs, and ramp circulation through the Hayward Gallery;
- As a major public building it represents one of the most complete and memorable realizations of brutalism in England.
historical interest
- As a nationally important arts complex by the London County Council Architects Department, an institution responsible for a large and distinguished body of public architecture in post-war England;
- The Hayward Gallery was the first major building project undertaken in conjunction with the Arts Council. It is a prime example of a purpose-built gallery for temporary and touring exhibitions, and one of the first galleries in England to experiment with modern styling and planning;
- The Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room are significant as acoustically successful, purpose-built post-war concert halls, designed to host musical performances by small groups in a sympathetic, aesthetically modern environment.
group value
- Together with the Royal Festival Hall (Grade I) and the National Theater (Grade II*), which together form an important, iconic post-war arts complex on the south bank of the Thames.
Hayward Gallery within the Southbank Centre. Photo: Shutterstock
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