A Christmas double bill Monday, December 8 at 7.30pm A fun picture quiz on the big screen and a short talk by the Women’s Research Group who produce books on local people and businesses Mulled Wine and mince pies
Like them or loathe them iconic buildings are important to any town or city. They not only provide interesting, even controversial architecture, but also help to make a place different from the others. Having just returned from a stay in Barcelona, a city famed for its ground-breaking buildings, it set me thinking about the dubious future for some of our own iconic architecture. In particular our Central Swimming Baths and Sports Centre. In Barcelona there are many examples of unusual buildings including works by world famous architect Antoni Gaudi. Barcelona’s Design Museum (pictured below), created by David Mackay (MBM
December 2014
steel trees among the produce stands hold the roof up. On one of the main shopping streets is Casa Batlló, (pictured below) one of the strangest residential buildings in Europe. The balconies look like the bony jaws of some strange beast and the roof represents St George and the dragon. Yes, it’s the work of Antoni Gaudi and interestingly it’s a refurbishment that was Architects) sits next to Jean Nouvelle’s controversial Agbar Tower. The Hub was tied to an existing building shell. only allowed a small footprint with much By the time the Olympic bid had been won in 1986 design and architecture had of the building underground. become the top consideration in MBM was also chosen to design Port Barcelona. Keith Draper Olympic, a fascinating series of modern designs with the latticework ‘Fish Sculpture’ at its heart. Mercat de Santa Caterina (pictured above) is next to the central Gothic Quarter with its 13th century cathedral. This produce market, completed in 2005, has a multi-coloured ceramic roof with a ceiling made of warm, light wood. Twisting slender branches of what look like grey
Design awards are back on our agenda as a new competition is launched with communities across England being invited to enter the inaugural ‘Civic Voice National Community Design Award”. Civic Voice, is asking us to nominate buildings and schemes considered to make a significant contribution to the quality of our built environment, whether village, town or city. Nominations for projects will be considered that are examples of: New buildings or historic buildings that have been reused or refurbished; Public realm schemes such as street works; Conservation area improvements, parks, improvements and enhancements of the civic realm. The Civic Voice National Design Award is a new award for 2015 and the inaugural winner will be announced at a ceremony hosted by Civic Voice president, Griff Rhys Jones. The award will be a celebration of good design – a kite mark to
be recognised by community groups, professionals and local government alike. The award will also be unique – it will not be an award where professionals give an award to the work of other professionals. Instead, the nominations will be made and supported by local communities across the country. Nominations can be made by civic societies or other local community organisations for projects they consider make a significant contribution to the quality of their built environment. The projects must have been completed between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014. Is there a building or project in Coventry that you would like the Coventry Society to put forward? If so, then send an email or letter to any member of the committee and we will consider your suggestion. The closing date for applications is March 31, 2015, but please let us have your suggestions as soon as possible. There is more information at: http://www.civicvoice.org.uk/ uploads/files/Design_Award_v3.pdf
More news and views on our website: www.coventrysociety.org.uk
The Society has objected to a new raw galvanised steel structure proposed as a new training tower for Binley Fire Sta on (the illustra on below is of a similar tower built elsewhere). In our view the building should be intrinsically worth seeing rather than ugly with a half-hearted a$empt at hiding it. The claim that the building can be hidden by plan ng is not valid. There is clear vision through the exis ng hedgerow adjacent to Binley Road aDer the leaves have fallen. While it might be acceptable in an industrial seEng this is next to a residen al area in a pleasant part of city. There is no design and access statement provided in the applica on and also no indica on as to what will happen to the exis ng training tower.
The Society was recently invited to speak to the Conserva ve Group about its work, campaigns and historical background associated with its founding. Stuart and Keith went along armed with a Powerpoint presenta on. They told representa ves about the start of Coventry Society, ini ally formed to save an early Georgian property—Kirby House in Li$le Park Street. At the me the Society had aspira ons to restore the building itself with one possible end user, the Ci zens Advice Bureau. Some of the ac vi es of the last few years were described, star ng with the Symposium we ran in partnership with Coventry University when representa ves from several towns came along to tell us how heritage buildings were helping the regenera on of their locality. We showed them photos of Charterhouse and explained the Society’s part in its re-use and a scheme to create a country park. The long saga of Copsewood Grange raised considerable interest with concerns expressed about the loss of important heritage sites. We told them about successful outcomes likes 31 Allesley Old Road where the owner was finally persuaded to rebuild workshops at a Master Watchmaker’s residence. We explained the situa on with Whitley Pumping Sta on and 5-7 Lower Holyhead Road and Bayley House where the Society in all cases is anxious to see a development appropriate to the historic site. We told them about our part in achieving a rehabilita on programme in Spon Street and our contribu on to the Conserva on Area Management Plans currently being carried out by Council staff. We went on to talk about new build development, the streetscene and transporta on. Our concerns about Bishopgate proposals, the lack of suitable units for small traders in the City Centre South scheme, and how design briefs would surely produce an interes ng, a$rac ve neighbourhood, in places like Much Park Street and Cox Street. And finally we explained our concerns about recent proposals for a new bus hub to serve the rail sta on and of course the ever worrying HS2 proposals. We have approached the Labour Group with a view to speaking to their members. Contacts Postal address: 77 Craven Street, Coventry CV5 8DT Chairman’s tel: 024 7640 2030 Email: info@coventrysociety.org.uk If Twitter is your thing, you can follow us at https://twitter.com/#!/CovSoc We also have our own page on Facebook. You can also follow us there at http://www.facebook.com/CoventrySociety
Best wishes For Christmas and the New Year from your Officers and Committee
Civic Voice Award We have been given an award by Civic Voice for the River Sherbourne event we organised at Charterhouse on Civic Day. It will be presented by David Ti$le at the December mee ng. Heritage Open Days More than 100 visitors called in to see the Hans Feibusch mural when we opened St Mark’s Church on Stoney Stanton Road for this year’s heritage event. Archaeology Excava on is underway in Much Park Street on the site of Coventry University’s proposed Health and Science building. It is being carried out by Northampton Archaeology. Spon Street We hear that the Conserva on Area Management Plan for Spon Street is being finalised by Anna Wilson before she leaves to take up a job with Civic Voice. We wish her well in her new post.
Calendars & Christmas Cards
The cards are all sized A6 and the message is Happy Christmas. 75p per card or packs of four cards at £2-50, packs of eight cards at £4-50. This year’s calendar features 12 heritage scenes. They are now available at our monthly meetings priced at £6 each or £10 for two. On sale at the next meeting. or by post: One calendar £7-24 incl p&p. Two calendars £11-65 incl p&p. Cheques to Colin Walker, 77 Craven Street, Coventry CV5 8DT