Modern Architecture in UK
 

Hi! I'm interested in Modern Architecture and am visiting the UK. I've been told that places like Milton Keynes and Basildon are good places to see this kind of thing. Have any of you got any other suggestions?<BR><BR>Thanks a lot<BR>Chad

There are of course some nice examples of modern architecture in London. There are the new bridges, both the millennium and the new Hungerford pedestrian. In the City, there is the new Baltic exchange building, also known as the erotic gurkin (it is a large round tower) and of course there is the Lloyds of London building. These are just some of the best known. As for Milton Keynes, it is a good example of a ‘new town’ with some interesting 60 buildings.

This might just be a UK-based spoof (it's the mention of Basildon that does it), but if not I'd suggest doing a search on google for the website for the Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA), for information on the Stirling Awards for architecture and for the London Open House weekend - over for this year, but information on previous years might suggest some ideas. And don't forget London's new City Hall, as well as a thread on this topic some months ago.

Chad<BR><BR>Is that not like going to a fancy french place and ordering a hamburger?

Hi Chad! Visited the UK with my architect father and his favourite were our few days in Glasgow - please try to get up that far. Charles Rennie MacIntosh's work is throughout Glasgow and his tea-room was amazing. The drive actually isn't that far. His work is very unique and perfect for what you are asking for, if I read you correctly!

Just to update on City Hall, there are special weekend opening times to allow visits to parts of the building not normally open to the general public:<BR><BR>see<BR>http://www.london.gov.uk/approot/gla...nd_opening.jsp

Surprised that no-one's mentioned Manchester- the redeveloped Salford Docks area is most interesting with the very funky Lowry Centre (theatre, art gallery, restaurant and bars) and the Imperial War Museum (North) across the Millenium Bridge on the opposite bank of the Manchester Ship Canal.

Or of course the other Millennium Bridge leading to a modern art gallery, the 'winking eye' and Baltic Quay in Gateshead

Coventry has a modern cathedral adjacent to the ruins of the old one that was bombed in WWII. That is also the city where the statue of Lady Godiva is located.

If you really would like to see modern architecture at its best, then you must visit Basingstoke in Hampshire.

ttt

Don't forget to see the MI-6 spy headquarters at Vauxhall Cross. It's hilarious as it's the equivalent of the CIA headquarters except it in a city street! It was featured in the last James Bond film.<BR><BR>Why not visit the Post Office Tower and the Docklands area.

In Manchester add the Urbis museum and the post bomb developments near Victoria station to the Salford places.

Thanks everyone for your responses - there are some great suggestions here<BR><BR>

Remembered your question &amp; just read an article in the NY Times Sophisticated Traveller section that mentioned (London)Euston Road between Tottenham Court Road &amp; Regents Park on the north side that has become &quot;...an architectural playground...&quot; with modern skyscrapers. The rest of this area is evidently still grotty though.

I think the NY Times was being a bit kind in one respect. North side of Euston Road is just dull - a succession of office eggboxes, an example of how not to imitate America! But not particularly grotty, just not very inspiring.

Has anybody mentioned the Design Museum on the Thames at Butler's Warf in London? Interesting Building, breathtaking location (diagonally opposite the Tower), good restaurant, great shop.

I am afraid the exhibitions in Design Museum are not really the best.

Norman Foster's Renault Centre is a must for modern architecture lovers.Cant remember where it is tho.James Stirling's gallery in London is also a must.

Norman Foster's Renault Centre is in Swindon, which may or may not merit a visit for any other purpose (I'm ebing tactful here).<BR><BR>Stirling did the Clore Gallery extension to Tate Britain.<BR><BR>A google search will turn up more details on both.<BR><BR>I like the new pedestrian walkways either side of the Hungerford railway bridge between Charing Cross and Waterloo.

The Royal Institute of British Architects' website it here:<BR>http://www.architecture.com/go/RIBA/About/PortlandPlace_337.html<BR>They have a list of events here:<BR>http://www.architecture.com/go/RIBA/About/RIBALondon_196.html<BR>and you can find out what they have to offer at their headquarters, 66 Portland Place, London, here:<BR>http://www.architecture.com/go/RIBA/...Place_337.html