They wouldn’t build something like the Institute of Education today. The accountants slide rule would rule it out. Budgets don’t allow for such imagination. Now every parcel of land has to profit from your presence. The building is too bold for them. There’s a wide open area at the front and spare air around each stepped layer. Such generosity of space is a vacuum for the bean counters.
Great photos Andrew! You/I might have mentioned this before, but there's so many similarities between brutalist architecture around the country, local to me is Leeds University, as well as banks an building societys in Halifax and Bradford.
All of this style building tend to be incredible for skateboarders to use, something that must be entirely coincidence, most being built in the very early days of the sport, mindblowing to me really.
I must walk over there to take a look the next time I'm working over at Kings Cross. Never cease to be amazed by how you can be ignorant of so much in London when it's been right under your nose for years. Really lovely photos. I've just finished reading Juhani Pallasmaa's architectual essay, 'Eyes Of The Skin', which has made me think a lot about the buildings and spaces I thought I knew.
I don't get out so much these days, so this was a treat. I ruddy love a good dollop of brutalist business, especially shown in such favourable light and ways. Thanks for sharing!
Interesting article and great images Andrew - i've visited this place a few times recently and have found it extremely hard to photograph (much like the nearby Brunswick Centre). Back in the day I dated someone who was studying at SOAS so i used to pass this building all the time without really knowing what it was.
Great photos Andrew! You/I might have mentioned this before, but there's so many similarities between brutalist architecture around the country, local to me is Leeds University, as well as banks an building societys in Halifax and Bradford.
All of this style building tend to be incredible for skateboarders to use, something that must be entirely coincidence, most being built in the very early days of the sport, mindblowing to me really.
Really cool photos, Andrew!
I must walk over there to take a look the next time I'm working over at Kings Cross. Never cease to be amazed by how you can be ignorant of so much in London when it's been right under your nose for years. Really lovely photos. I've just finished reading Juhani Pallasmaa's architectual essay, 'Eyes Of The Skin', which has made me think a lot about the buildings and spaces I thought I knew.
I don't get out so much these days, so this was a treat. I ruddy love a good dollop of brutalist business, especially shown in such favourable light and ways. Thanks for sharing!
Interesting article and great images Andrew - i've visited this place a few times recently and have found it extremely hard to photograph (much like the nearby Brunswick Centre). Back in the day I dated someone who was studying at SOAS so i used to pass this building all the time without really knowing what it was.
Is this part of a Lasdun series? Hallfield next?!
I wish I could explore this in person myself. Such a bold and confident building.
Magnificent!
Is this the one right next to Russell Square?
A great read: I had my graduation ceremony there, back in the late summer of 1996. Thanks Andrew!