C O N T E X T 1 0 7 : N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8 7 Ben Nicholson and Bridget Riley, among many more. Pearson rightly asks how works by such familiar names are still unknown and widely overlooked. Some have been lost by demolition, reconstruction and even burial, as in the case of the ArmadaWay, Plymouth 1987-8 (a mural by Edward Pond and Kenneth Clark that was filled in by the city council in 2004). The author feels that the wide geographic spread of this art for the people has contributed to a lack of art-historical and academic interest. Approximately 45 such murals are formally listed in the UK.While Pearson identifies a significant number of murals that survive, she highlights several under threat, for example in Sunderland and East Kilbride. As remarked upon in this column recently, the magazine of the Twentieth Century Society provides a densely packed and informative read. There are features by Ken Powell on Leeds University buildings of the 1960s and 70s; Anthony Jennings on post-war parsonages; Alan Powers on James Stirling’s Florey Building, Oxford (as a prelude to a 2009 conference on the architect’s early academic buildings); and JonWright on the continuing saga of architectural and constructional style, compatibility with Tel Aviv’s hot and humid climate. Over the years modifications have related to family growth, economic prosperity, the influences of other fashionable styles and that perennial, lack of maintenance. Geva looks in particular at the thermal qualities inherent in the original design concept, concluding that if this is sustainable, preservation work that exposes its inherent energy components will enhance and contribute to its thermal comfort.While she acknowledges that not all the original 1920s and 30s designs were sustainable, perhaps based on a misunderstanding by immigrant architects of the local climate, most could be made more sustainable by evaluating the thermal conditions of the building before undertaking preservation works. This leads neatly to the latest edition of C20, the magazine of the Twentieth Century Society. In the latest issue (Autumn 2008), Lynn Pearson, author of Public Art Since 1950, draws attention to the diminishing legacy of post-war public murals, many of which were completed by an outstanding roll-call of British artists: John Piper, Edward Bawden, Victor Passmore, Mitzi Cunliffe, Battersea Power Station. There are good reports of trips to discover, the unexpected delights of 20th century buildings on theWirral; to Bata Town in Essex (with its strong Czech influences); to Bromley and Biggin Hill; and several others. Twentieth Century Society members certainly get about a lot.Where they can not, the reports are highly informative. Bob Kindred MBE Conservation planning and heritage expertise For further information about how DPP Heritage can help with your requirements contact: Roger Mascall on 020 7092 3600 or [email protected] www.dppllp.com DPP Heritage provides a range of specialist conservation services to both private and public sector clients, including major property developers, government departments and agencies, local authorities and English Heritage.
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