[online] Up in the Air: A History of High-Rise Britain Book Launch
[online] Up in the Air: A History of High-Rise Britain Book Launch
Friday 14 November 2025 at 6.30pm
Up in the Air: A History of High Rise Britain captures the history of modern Britain through its most contentious symbol: the high-rise block. Holly Smith’s new book explores Britain’s multistorey council housing from the perspective of its residents.
It unearths forgotten stories, including the grassroots activism that followed the Ronan Point scandal, the tenacity of a trailblazing tenants’ co-operative, and a Liverpudlian high-rise internet television channel steered by pensioners.
The book is a rich history of political struggle within Britain’s most misunderstood buildings. It traces an unfinished battle for justice, offering essential lessons for the future of public housing.
Join Holly Smith in conversation with architectural historian Neal Shasore, author of Designs on Democracy (2022) to discuss the past and future of public housing.
Dr Holly Smith is a historian of architecture and protest. She is a Fellow at St John’s College, University of Cambridge, and an advisor to Tower Blocks UK, an advocacy group for high-rise safety.
This booking is for online event. For in-person event book here.
C20 Society Members: £6
Non-Members: £8
Young C20 member Free*;
Student £4 **
*For Young C20 members, please email lukas@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.
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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.
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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
Image above: Sam Webb at the top of Ronan Point, 1984 © Bill Cross_ANL_Shutterstock.