In person: Battle of the Big Beasts: Postwar University Durham: Third Christmas Lecture

29/11/2024

Battle of the Big Beasts: Postwar University Durham Lecture. Third Christmas Lecture.

Friday 29 November 2024 at 6.30pm

The Gallery, 70 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6EJ

Hugh Pearman, Chairman of C20, will romp through Mod and Trad postwar Durham University buildings by everyone from Ove Arup, Basil Spence and Architects’ Co-Partnership to Vincent Harris, William Whitfield, and Daniel Libeskind.

Not redbrick, not plate glass, not Oxbridge: how did the accelerating university expansion in the postwar years play out in England’s third university, Durham - constrained as it was by its historic and verdant setting, undamaged in the war, zealously guarded by the pioneering conservationist planner Thomas Sharp?

Hugh is a distinguished journalist, editor and author. He was architecture and design critic of The Sunday Times for 30 years (1986-2016), editor of the RIBA Journal for 14 years (2006-20), and has written extensively for other media. His book, ‘About Architecture: An Essential Guide in 55 Buildings’ was published by Yale University Press in May 2023.

In addition, Hugh served on Arts Council England’s architecture advisory group, was one of the instigators of The RIBA Stirling Prize for Architecture in 1996 and chaired the ‘Art for Architecture’ initiative at the Royal Society of Arts from 2000-04. He was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2001 and was awarded an MBE for services to architecture in 2019. He became C20 Chairman in August 2023.

In Person:
C20 Society Members £10;
Non-Members £15;
Young C20 member + guest Free*;
Student + guest £5**.

*For Young C20 members, please email coordinator@c20society.org.uk to secure a place.

**For student pricing please select from the dropdown option next to ‘membership number’ on the booking form below.

Includes a glass of wine and mince pie

Click here for our latest cancellation policy.

Note: This event is hybrid and is being run both in-person at Cowcross Street Gallery and online via Zoom. The event will be recorded and offered as a catch-up lecture for those who have booked and will be available for two weeks.

Not a member yet? Join Here and benefit from event ticket discounts.

Looking to support our campaigning? Donate to our casework Here.

The Twentieth Century Society is an IHBC (Institute of Historic Building conservation) recognised CPD provider.

The Twentieth Century Society is a registered charity, no 1110244

Above image: Game of two halves: a bronze expansion joint designed by Ove Arup on his listed Kingsgate footbridge, Durham.
Photograph: Hugh Pearman

THIS BOOKING IS FOR AN IN-PERSON TICKET ONLY (COWCROSS STREET GALLERY)

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