Brutiful Bristol

A rebuilt city centre of "overpowering mediocrity, neither good to look at nor fun to walk round...” (Ian Nairn)

A tabloid homage to modernist buildings in Bristol

When we talk about iconic modern architecture, the buildings of Bristol are rarely mentioned. Bombed heavily in the Second World War, much of the city and industrial centres had to be rebuilt in the 50s and 60s.

In 1961, the entertainingly polemical architectural writer, Ian Nairn, described post-war Bristol as “unrelieved gloom” and its rebuilt centre was of “overpowering mediocrity, neither good to look at nor fun to walk round.”

I was a student in Bristol during the late 80s and, whilst loving living there, I could appreciate his view. Like so many cities in those days, I recall a pedestrian unfriendly city of no-go areas, of underpasses and flyovers, of cars spewing out lead fumes and of crumbling buildings covered in soot and pigeon pooh.

But when you look closer, there are many examples of mid to late 20th century architecture that deserve to be celebrated. New places to live, park, work, worship, learn and relax were built during this period of post-war optimism by architects, planners and the public who wanted to build a new world.

During our uncertain times, itʼs good to remember a period when there was real hope for a better future. These buildings, despite their flaws, serve as a reminder of what is possible.

Brutiful Bristol Publication

This spring the sun has shone on the West Country, so I spent a few days completing a 10 year photo project on my favourite modernist buildings in Bristol. A 24 page tabloid is the result.

The print edition costs £10 including UK delivery. If you live on one of the overseas continents and would like a copy, please email me. Alternatively, a PDF download is available for £3.50.

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Here’s a taster…

The Castlemead Trinity

The Marriott Hotel, Broadmead Car Park (1960) and Castlemead Tower (1973-81) provide a concrete triptych of such monumental beauty it deserves national recognition amongst Brutalist aficionados.

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Clifton Roman Catholic Cathedral

The Cathedral Church of Saints Peter and Paul (1973) was completed for the sum of £601,268 and described as the “ecclesiastical bargain of the 1970s.” Pevsner’s Architectural Guide to Bristol wrote that the Cathedral was a “sermon in concrete.” Mike Jenner called it “one of the great interiors of the last 50 years in Britain.”

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Cheese Lane Shot Tower

This landmark Grade II listed structure (1968-69) wouldnʼt look out of place at an airport. It is a direct descendant of the first shot tower ever built in 1772. This newer tower is one of only three remaining in the country. Manufacturing stopped in the late 80s and it is now an office with probably the best located boardroom in Bristol on the top floor.

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Broadmead Car Park

The top level of this car park provides panoramic views of Bristol. Unfortunately the entrances are secured against wandering pedestrians, so to enjoy them youʼll have to park your car there.

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Redcliffe Estate

Francome House (1960) enjoys fine views over the River Avon. Crossing to the other side of the river you notice that the arches rising from river level to support the road above are echoed by the roofline.

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Dickinson Robinson Building

The Dickinson Robinson Building (1960- 63) was the first high-rise office block built in Bristol. It has a classical, simple facade. The orderly pattern of windows echo the bonded warehouses that once stood nearby. Attempts to list it have so far failed. Letʼs hope Historic England come to their senses soon.

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Broadmead Baptist Church

‘The church above the shopsʼ (1967-68) was Grade II Listed in 2024. Catherine Croft, Director of the 20th Century Society, commented: “Bristolʼs Broadmead Baptist Church is one of the best examples of how it pays to look up: above the dreary façade of a mini-supermarket is a riot of sculptural, expressive concrete forms dancing against the skyline.”

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Rupert Street Car Park

This pioneering and ambitious car park, built between 1959-60, will soon be demolished. It was the first in England to have a continuous parking ramp. Half a mile of gently rising slope to give cars a place to rest.

Upon opening, The Bristol Evening Post waxed lyrical about it: “Some of the glamour which 100 years ago attached to the railways, then such potent symbols of manʼs advance, attaches to this dramatic building catering for our own favourite method of transport. But it is important to realise that this drama is communicated only because the purpose the building serves – car parking - is expressed very clearly. Such boldness is never common.”

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Brutiful Bristol Publication

A 24 page tabloid with a selection of photos and accompanying text of my favourite brutalist buildings in Bristol and laments for buildings which are under threat or demolished.

Printed on 55gsm bright recycled paper. This is thicker and better quality than a tabloid newspaper which is normally printed on 42gsm newsprint paper.

Also available as a high quality PDF download.