This book explores the topic of architecture as a component of public discourse, focusing on the reception of four high-profile developments in the City of London (the UK capitals financial district) dating from the final years of the twentieth century. During this time, the Citys mode of operation, culture and built environment were all transformed as a result of the market deregulation process labelled Big Bang. It was also a period which saw the subject of architecture attracting public and media attention, becoming a prominent feature of national conversation.
The book examines the extensive and often contentious discourse generated by the four case study projects. It looks at how these projects were viewed and interpreted retrospectively, when they had become part of the Citys long and rich history. Topics explored include building and urban form on the eve of the millennium; the place of new development in a setting of unique historic importance; the iconic building and celebrity architect; and the role of (then) Prince Charles as an architectural critic. Also referenced are many of the broader issues of the day, including the Thatcher government policies and the preoccupations concerning Londons infrastructure, public realm, inner city areas and inequalities. Furthermore, ranging across the discourse is the theme of the relationship between buildings and global finance, foreshadowing later controversies concerning Londons post-millennial towers and their impact on the capitals skyline.
The book will be of interest to researchers and students of late-twentieth century British architecture and urban development, Londons history and UK public discourse in the 1980s, a decade of profound political, economic and social change.
This book explores the topic of architecture as a component of public discourse, focusing on the reception of four high-profile developments in the City of London (the UK capitals financial district) dating from the final years of the twentieth century.
List of figures
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
The architectural context
The Big Bang context
The research context
Overarching themes and case studies
2. Bold vision or destructive obsession? Peter Palumbo and the Mansion House
project
The project narrative
Peter Palumbo: Inheritance and identity
The Mies scheme unveiled
Mies in a changed world
Militant conservationists
The nations best known architectural critic
The theology of the New Right
The Stirling version
Modes and makers of discourse
Conclusion
3. The Citys first iconic building: Lloyds of London
The project narrative
Another Pompidou?
The building and the client
Modernism compromised?
In dialogue with history
Building and context
Building and users
Public face, private world
The building and Lloyds trauma
Icon of the age
Conclusion
4. The burden of history, the challenge of context: Paternoster Square
The project narrative
Reconnecting with the past
Holford, Pevsner and their legacy
Prince Charles and his public
Style wars resumed
A test case for classicism
Conclusion
5. Big Bang City, expansionist City, Americanised City: Broadgate
The project narrative
Mega-project, enlightened developer
New offices for a new City
Private sector placemaking
Theatre of Big Bang
Globalised architecture for globalising clients
Broadgate and its neighbours
A monument to the era
Conclusion
6. Conclusion and afterword
Bibliography
Index
Stephen Rosser holds degrees in history and the history of art from the Universities of Oxford and London and completed his PhD at Birkbeck, University of London. As an independent scholar, his research interests centre principally on the subject of architectural writing.
