Learning from Bas Vegas: Basildon Day Tour
Learning from Bas Vegas: Basildon Day Tour
Saturday 15 March 2024
Start time/place: 10am/outside Basildon Railway Station
Finish time/place: 5pm/near Basildon Railway Station
Far from the acclaimed New Towns of Harlow and Milton Keynes, Basildon’s architectural heritage remains largely obscure. This tour led by Chunyi Sun visits familiar features, hidden gems and evaluates lessons for the built environment.
Morning: The day will begin with a walk around Basildon Town Centre, focusing on its New Town story and subsequent evolution. We will examine a variety of 20th-century projects, including the Grade II listed Brooke House (Anthony B. Davies with Sir Basil Spence, 1960-62); the Magistrates’ Court (Howell Killick Partridge Amis, 1986-90); the fire station (1961); original New Town buildings along East Walk; and more. Along the way, we will also appreciate Basildon’s rich artistic identity, taking in public art from A.J. Poole’s sculpture ‘Man Aspires’ to Wendy Taylor’s artworks around the underpass network. The morning walk will finish with a special visit to the interiors of St Martin of Tours Church (Trena Cotton, 1962).
A self-guided lunch break follows.
Afternoon: We will embark on a coach tour of housing projects beyond the town centre. Highlights will include housing schemes by Ahrends Burton and Koralek (Chalvedon, 1968; Whitmore Court, 1975; Felmore, 1974-80), Richard and Su Rogers (Raphaels/Rise Park/Wickhay, 1971-73), as well as the development at Noak Bridge (Maurice Naunton and George Garrard, 1981). The day will conclude with a detour to see William Mitchell’s Chessmen sculptures, before returning to Basildon Railway Station.
Chunyi Sun (Cy) studied at the Bartlett School of Architecture and is currently completing her Part 1 Year Out at Basildon Council. She is also an illustrator whose work focuses on 20th-century architects.
Please note: The morning is on foot and afternoon is by coach with some walking involved. The event will go ahead in all weathers unless there is a Met Office severe weather warning. Please wear suitable footwear/outdoor clothing.
C20 Members £60
Non-members £70
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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: St Martin's Church, Basildon - Trena Cotton, 1962.
Image credit: Chunyi Sun.