The Twentieth Century Society

Campaigning for outstanding buildings

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REDISCOVERING REGIONAL PRACTICES 3: Percy Thomas Lecture

07/04/2022

[22/17]

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REDISCOVERING REGIONAL PRACTICES 3: Percy Thomas Lecture

Presented by Robert Proctor

Thursday 7 April 2022 at 8 pm

Robert Proctor will give an overview of the work and significance of Sir Percy Thomas (1883-1969) of Cardiff and his practice.

Sir Percy Thomas’s practice, the largest in Wales and active throughout Britain, spanned almost all the twentieth century and created much of the built landscape of modern Wales as well as making significant contributions to English towns and cities.

The architects’ work closely follows and illuminates the changing role of the state. Town halls and municipal buildings dominate the interwar work (exemplified by Swansea Guildhall 1930-34),  followed by diversification into industry, higher education, and healthcare in the mid-twentieth century welfare state.

The Percy Thomas Partnership’s late twentieth-century fragmentation and expansion overseas reflect wider globalisation and neo-liberal politics, but nevertheless show a continued strength of state planning, with major buildings for councils and government departments.

Dr Robert Proctor is Senior Lecturer in Architectural History & Theory at the University of Bath, and is completing a book on Percy Thomas for the University of Wales Press.

Members:  £4 Non-Members: £6

We will send you a Zoom link by email after you book, which will enable you to “join” the event, and we’ll be using the Q&A function to take questions at the end. If you’ve not used Zoom before, clicking on the Zoom link will take you through the set-up process, hopefully simply and smoothly! You should receive an automated link within an hour of booking so please check your spam/junk emails if you haven't received this. Any further problems please contact coordinator@c20society.org.uk.

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The Twentieth Century Society is a registered charity, no 1110244

Above: Swansea Guildhall (1934); Photograph: c Robert Proctor

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

 


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