The Twentieth Century Society, a conservation organisation, has announced its annual list featuring ten UK buildings that have reached their 30th year and, in the society’s view, are deserving of national heritage listing.
Launched in the previous year, the Coming of Age series was created by the Twentieth Century Society to honour the “best British buildings” as they reach the 30-year milestone and become eligible for consideration as heritage sites.
This year’s list comprises ten projects completed in 1995, including a temple, a church, two bridges, and three residential developments. The selected buildings were designed by renowned studios such as Santiago Calatrava, Hopkins Architects, and Níall McLaughlin Architects.
Through this campaign, the Twentieth Century Society aims to prevent the potential demolition of these structures by recognising and celebrating their architectural significance at an earlier stage.
“Around thirty years after a building’s completion is often when it requires its first significant refurbishment. At this point, having a listing designation in place offers a valuable opportunity to ensure that renovation works acknowledge and preserve the features that make a building important,” the group explained.
“Reaching the thirty-year mark is also typically when a building may be least appreciated or fall out of favour, making it especially susceptible to alteration or demolition.”
“Our hope is that these exceptional buildings will soon receive well-deserved recognition and be included on the National Heritage List,” the society added.
Below is the Twentieth Century Society’s selection of the UK’s most notable buildings from 1995:
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple), London, by Chandrakant Sompura
The Neasden Temple in Brent, London, once the largest temple outside India, was constructed using traditional craftsmanship and materials such as marble and limestone.
Architect Chandrakant Sompura led the project, with intricate details hand-carved in India before being assembled on site in London.
The Twentieth Century Society described it as “a masterpiece of exquisite Indian craftsmanship.”
Tees Barrage, Durham, by Napper Collerton Partnership and Arup
Designed by Napper Collerton Partnership with engineering firm Arup, the Tees Barrage spans 160 metres in Stockton-on-Tees.
The steel structure, characterised by its arched and rounded elements, integrates both roadways and footbridges, along with two control pavilions.
Trinity Footbridge, Manchester, by Santiago Calatrava
Trinity Footbridge, the first pedestrian link across the River Irwell between Manchester and Salford, is the only UK project by Swiss-Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.
The 79-metre-long bridge features an asymmetrical form in white-painted steel, with a series of cables connected to a tilted, cigar-shaped pylon.
Hope House, London, by ZED Factory
Hope House exemplifies an experimental, low-energy design by ZEDfactory founders Bill and Sue Dunster. It features a south-facing conservatory fitted with photovoltaic panels.
Located on a flood plain at the meeting of three waterways, the property is accessed via a bridge and incorporates a flood-resistant ground floor beneath its two-storey timber frame.
Broadwall Housing, London, by Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands
Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands approached the Broadwall Housing project with a strong social focus.</p
