1960s architecture
Thursday 22 June 2006 21:30-22:15 (Radio 3)
Matthew Sweet is joined by a panel - including architects Rodney Gordon and Quinlan Terry - to explore the ongoing influence of 1960s architecture on modern Britain. The events takes place in front of an audience at Tate Modern.
Playlist
As part of this year's London Architecture Biennale, Night Waves is staging a debate at Tate Modern in front of an audience exploring the ongoing influence of 1960's architecture on today's Britain.
The Sixties saw an incredible boom in housing and urban development, the creation of massive new estates and the great coming of the high-rise. Many of these buildings are still with us - some officially preserved and many blighted.
Matthew Sweet and a panel of guests, including architects Rodney Gordon and Quinlan Terry, will explore the quality of the architectural boom of the '60's and the motivation behind it. To what extent were the architects and planners of the day driven by a desire to build a new artistic expression for the masses? Did the building boom damage our sense of community and our appreciation of the built environment and are we still suffering the effects today?
The panel will ask whether we have a responsibility to preserve our sixties architectural heritage, irrespective of whether we consider them iconic or eyesore. Or should they blight our skyline no more?
Rodney Gordon, designed the recently demolished Tricorn Centre in Portsmouth. Quinlan Terry is a traditionalist: champion of classical style and scourge of modernism. Joining them on the Tate Modern stage are George Ferguson, former president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and Catherine Croft who advocates the 1960's as director of the 20th Century Society.
Night Waves - at the London Architecture Biennale, presented by Matthew Sweet - Thursday June 22nd at 9.30 on BBC Radio 3.
