UEA Through a Pinhole

Yesterday I introduced Barry to the 'concrete city' that comprises the University of East Anglia. opened in 1970 it is one of the best examples of Brutalism Architecture in the UK (see blog from last visit). This time I decided to use a pinhole lens for some of the time, which worked well when the sun was shining but not so good in duller light. Here some of the better shots with shutterspeeds from 0.5 to 1/15th second.

UEA, A Brutalism Megastructure

The University of East Anglia campus was designed by Denys Lasdun and constructed in 1970.  The teaching block is a long, winding ribbon with copper hued windows. The horizontals are broken up by concrete housed vents and lift shafts jutting above the roofline. The library and students’ union building are an arrangements of boxes that continue the horizontal thread. The campus is completed by the student accommodation, the ziggurats seen through the sculpture in the infrared images. connected to the rest by long concrete walkways. 

Park Street Car Park Cambridge

As we had to be out in the car, we took our exercise in the Chesterton area of Cambridge - a delight not to be battling with our local mud and ice! Park Street Car Park is such an anomaly and yet has all the intrigue for me of concrete structures. It was built around 1960 and was due for closure and redevelopment to a hotel and car park  this spring. However, the contractors have dropped out so at the moment it has a reprieve - a relief in some ways I am sure for the local residents. 

Edinburgh 7: Scottish Parliament Exterior

The rainy conditions suited photographing the exterior of the building with its mix of metal and concrete. The branching tree motifs on the concrete walls are part of the architect’s “sitting in the land” vision with Scottish wildflowers, trees, shrubs and water adding to this ambition.

Walton-on-the-Naze Concrete Rules

Walton, like many seaside towns, has large numbers of concrete structures - some quite elegant like the promenade and steps, some in need of repair including the pier supports! and some just weird like the upper storey of the Amusements building. I liked the economy of design for the Shelters - if you want it bigger, add a bay - bit like a stretch limousine.

 

City Break in York

A few images for Phil from the start of our city break as he is unable to join in due to acute sciatica. We travelled by train via Peterborough and I had to record the Ferrybridge power station now silent in the landscape. This set me off for some concrete recording during our walk across the city to the Travelodge. To  redress the balance of ancient versus modern we did visit  All Saints Church .