Sheffield Park Hill Redevelopment

When I first went to Sheffield in September 2012, I was led out of the back of the Railway Station and confronted by this very run down estate, otherwise known as the Park Hill Estate. Small areas of redevelopment work had already begun, however in my opinion it didn't think that this estate had any sense of life left within. Nevertheless, nearly 18 months has passed and I couldn't disagree more with my first impression.

Built in the late 50’s and opening its doors in 1961, concrete flat like this where very popular in the mid 50’s and this estate was no exception. 13 storeys tall, this brutalist-styled monolith designed by Jack Lynn and Ivor Smith sat on one of the seven hills of Sheffield, which at the time when it was seen as popular was given the name of ‘Streets in the Sky’ (UrbanSplash, 2014). The estate itself consisted over nearly 1000’s homes and shops which combined to establish a community within. Built on one of the largest hills in Sheffield, the architects tried to keep the roof heights low so the estate didn’t stick out of the hills outline, however the estate still dominates the hill and overlooks the city below (BBC, 2009).

Park Hill Estate Facades (Bagnall, 2014)

Like most brutalist flats and estates built across the country in the 50’s, the 80’s brought about a new view on these once loved structures. The accommodation aspect seemed poor to the newer properties available, and with estates and flats seeing vast increases in crime within the community people left, one by one, until no one wanted to live in them. By the early 90’s, Park Hill had become a rundown estate which the majority wanted to knock down. However since then the estate has seen it become Grade II listed (1998) and now the redevelopment to create it into a modern, and again loved accommodation. The new refurbishment included providing more spacious and modern accommodation (which was achieved by stripping the building down to its bones and rebuilding) and the use of coloured polycarbonate sheets on the facades to provide dynamic colour and attraction against the flat concrete (Townsend, 2013).

Interior of New Accommodation (Bennett, 2013)

With seeing how the redevelopment of this project has brought back new life into this one named ‘Old Lady’, it shows how even the most run down building can be brought new life and provide for the newer and ever growing generation. Even though in previous blogs I have said how pleased I am to see the Lenton Tower Blocks being knocked down, the question can now be asked of whether a smart mind could have transformed them into the modern/futuristic housing that everybody wants in the present day. 

Bibliography 

BBC News, (2014). Stirling Prize: Park Hill Phase 1. [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24054185 [Accessed 10 Feb. 2014].

BBC, (2014). BBC - Community living: Park Hill's history. [online] Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/sheffield/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8207000/8207206.stm [Accessed 10 Feb. 2014].

Peter Bennett, (2014). Interior Of New Accommadation. [image] Available at: http://ribastirlingprize.architecture.com/riba-stirling-shortlist-2013-park-hill-sheffield/ [Accessed 10 Feb. 2014].

Splash, U. (2014). Park Hill, Sheffield - project information | Urban Splash. [online] Urbansplash.co.uk. Available at: http://www.urbansplash.co.uk/residential/park-hill [Accessed 10 Feb. 2014].

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Living In The Lace Market

As mentioned previously, this is my second year in the City of Nottingham, and whereas last year I was living out of town in Lenton, this year I am currently living with friends in the heart of the Lace Market.

In my opinion, there is a substantial difference between living within the Lace Market, compared to living in Lenton. First of all in terms of location; for a Nottingham Trent student the Lace Market is a based in the heart of the city, with the university and shops within an easy walking distance.  Relate this to Lenton, situated just outside the city it is ideal for people with cars, however I rely more on me feet. Because of this, the walk to university armed with equipment and drawings board each morning up the mountain-like hill used to be a killer; this was also the same each time you just wanted to go into town!

Fig 1. Lenton Tower Block (During Demolition)
(Thorne, 2013)

However the problem of transport is not my only nor my main reason between my love for the Lace Market. The overall love for the Lace Market over Lenton comes from its setting and context within the areas. Last year, I lived in the shadow of the famous Lenton Tower blocks. The Lenton tower blocks where built in the 1960’s due to the ever-growing population of England, however in the late 20^th – early 21^st century the tower blocks have become an unwelcoming site and are currently being demolished (Howard, 2014). When living in Lenton, I would look through the window or walk out the door to be embraced with these truly saddening and aging structures.  In all truth they were painful to look at.

The Lace Market is home to vast range of historical landmarks and architectural styles from the Gothic-styled St. Marys Cathedral to the modern expressionism-style of the Nottingham Contemporary Building.  I would have to say my favourite building within the Lace Market at the present time (I say this as I feel I haven’t explored the Lace Market completely) is the current NCN building on Stoney Street. This building, which is known as the Adams Building, is a Grade II listed Victorian building built by Thomas Hine. The Adams Building was original one of the largest factories in the Lace Market; it was acquired by the Lace Market Heritage Trust and converted into the New College Nottingham (NCN) (NCN, 2014).  

Fig 3. Side Facade of Adams Building (Bagnall, 2014) 

Fig 2. Date Stone (On Plaque) (Bagnall, 2014)

The reason that the Adams Building is my favourite building is because it is so unlike the rest of the building within the Lace Market. Every morning I walk down Stoney Street from Malin Hill to Hockley, and the buildings either side are quite flat, acting like a stone wall. However once you reach the Adams building, I feel that the space seems to opens up due to its double curved shape of the front facade (Fig 3). The building itself is a very powerful yet elegant figure in the Lace Market and I would argue that the building itself is the finest landmark in the Lace Market. 

Fig 4. Front Facade of Adams Building (Bagnall, 2014)

Bibliography 

Fig 1. Alex Thorne. Lenton Tower Block (During Demolition) Photograph taken 8th October 2013

Fig 2. Shaun Bagnall, 2013. Date stone (on plaque). Photograph taken 7th February 2014

Fig 3. Side Facade of Adams Building. Photograph taken 7th February 2014

Fig 4. Shaun Bagnall, 2013. Front Facade of Adams Building. Photograph taken 7th February 2014

Howard, R. (2014). BBC - Nottingham - Places - Lenton with Robert Howard. [online] Bbc.co.uk. Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/content/image_galleries/lenton_walk_gallery.shtml?21 [Accessed 8 Feb. 2014].

NCN, (2014). Nottingham English School - The Adams Building - NCN. [online] Available at: http://www.nottinghamenglishschool.com/the-adams-building.aspx [Accessed 8 Feb. 2014].

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LifeBox

Coming back after Christmas and the first project was LifeBox. The LifeBox project was about producing a living space for a specifically chosen client in a 6600mm x 3600mm x 2400mm box area. Now, we are 3 weeks into second term with the LifeBox project just handed in, and all I can say is THANK GOD!!

When the project was first explained to us back in the last week of first term, the majority including myself thought that this project sounded very exciting; which combined our new knowledge from the other modules and our own creativity to produce this final project. However this project was a lot more demanding than previously expected. The decision on which architect to choose was simple; out of all the architects to pin up I chose the design which was as close to what I personally would of designed if I was doing this project.

The original design by the architect was very unique and was one reason why I chose it, however when I then started to look more in-depth into the design how it would be produced practically and this is when the problems arose. As my client (the architect) had chosen her client as Paralympic Gold Medallist Ellie Simmonds, within the design space she had included a swimming line measuring 6200mm (length) x 1005mm (width). However when looking at this at practically the swimming lane was far too small, meaning that change the design of the whole of the LifeBox, with the clients approval.

Original Design 

Final Design

I admit that I have learnt a lot of from this project (such as the use and construction of steel frames), however I have found it more stressful than fun. The transformation from the original design to the final design was very complicated; I do wish that I could have had more time to improve the final design, but then again I’m glad its over. 

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Patchwork 3 - Comparison of Arkwright and Newton

Through the evolution of the architecture, cities have become richly diverse in the different styles of architecture on show. Even when buildings are grouped together, an example of that being Arkwright and Newton, it does not mean that the styles of these buildings have to be similar.

The Arkwright building is of a Gothic Revival style, which was very common in Nottingham during the time it was built in the late 19^th century (constructed 1877-1881). At this time, the building was coordinated with its surroundings, however today the evolution of modern architectural styles surrounding it has enhanced its historical context (Bagnall&Humphries, 2013). This can be directly linked with that of the Newton building; it too was built in a time when its style of Art Deco was popular in England and Nottingham itself (early-mid 19^th century). The Newton ‘Tower’ has been a standout landmark in Nottingham ever since it’s construction, still holding strong to its historical value in its growing environment (Bagnall&Humphries, 2013). These buildings used to be two neighbouring structures with no connection, yet now after a multimillion pound refurbishment they sit next to each other hand-in-hand, working together yet separately at the same time. The Arkwright building provides a sense of age and wisdom, whereas the Newton building provides a sense of a futuristic idea in way a building should be designed. In the context of the city today, these buildings produce a partnership which no other can match; the contrast between these buildings and their styles work together, making the unique connection between them stronger.

“The relationship between the object and the intervening spaces is not formal: it is always rooted in the context of a particular setting.” Dalibor Vesley (in Brooker and Stone, 2007, p. 57).

The above quotation defines that a buildings style is not directly related to that of the spaces created by it. The intervening space of the building is connected to what the context and function of the building is. These statements can be associated with that of the Newton and Arkwright buildings. As mentioned previously the two building themselves have their own dissimilar styles; Newton’s Art Deco and Arkwright’s Gothic Revival. However, since The Hopkins Architect renovation in 2010, the two central and linking spaces within and between each building has been given new life through modernisation and practicality for the working staff and students within. The renovation to these two buildings has brought the most of the original designs (photographs to be added); the spaces have had extensive work done to them, however the resulting spaces are simple (simple in terms of how comfort and practicality of the students/staff has been achieved although the space itself is very open). Physically linking these two monumental buildings together is a minimalistic corridor and courtyard; a glazed wall spanning the length of the corridor provides vast amounts of natural light in, making it seem larger and providing a panoramic view of Arkwright itself.

“The project secured the future of both historically significant Grade II* listed buildings, providing extensive renovation and modernisation to their dated, inefficient and incoherent spaces. It then utilised the residual space between the two buildings.” (HopkinsArchitects, 2009)

These building and their respected spaces are used and/or passed on a daily basis; they are both in their own right very exceptionally beautiful buildings within the landscape of Nottingham. From the outside, they both hold their own (styles) within a multi-contextual setting; however the refurbished interior provides a warm, comforting environment which caters for the social and academic aspects of university life.

Bibliography

Bagnall&Humphries, 2013. Arkwright, Patchwork One. Shaun Bagnall & Kelly Humphries, 2013.

Bagnall&Humphries, 2013. Newton, Patchwork Two. Shaun Bagnall & Kelly Humphries, 2013.

Brooker and Stone, 2007. Form and Structure [eBook]. Switzerland: AVA. Available via: Safari Books Online [18^th January 2014]

Hopkins Architects, 2009. Nottingham Trent University: Newton and Arkwright Buildings. Hopkins Architects. Available at: http://www.hopkins.co.uk/projects/2/113/ [18^th January 2014]

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Sheffield Train Station

As I travel up to Sheffield often to see my girlfriend, I thought that while I was up there that I would start exploring the building and architecture which Sheffield holds. The first building which I would like to talk about is Sheffield’s train station, a building which I use each and every time I go to and from Sheffield.

Sheffield train station (also known as Midland Railway Station) is a Grade II listed Victorian building originally built in 1870 but refurbished by architect Charles Trubshaw in 1905 (Landow, 2014). Charles Trubshaw was a Midland architect, raised by a family of architects, was best known for his work as architect for the Northern Division Midland Railway Stations in 1874 (Davies, 2010).

The station itself has some interesting features such as the iron-glass roof (Fig 1) in the main atrium and refurbished front facades mirrored glass (Fig 2) and finally the walkway linking Park Hill behind the station, the platforms and Sheaf Square in front. However the station building is not what I find most interesting; for me the combination of context of the Victorian Station building and the 2010 refurbishment of Sheaf Square in front of the station. 

Fig 1. Iron-Glass Roof (Bagnall, 2014)

Fig 2. Front Facade (Bagnall 2014)

As I have only been in Sheffield over the past two years I had not seen for myself what the original square was like, however looking at photographs of the past square the refurbishment has brought new life back into the entrance of Sheffield. The square has been transformed from a flat concrete field to this guided path leading from the station, up Owen Hill into the heart of the city. 

Fig 3. Sheaf Square (Bagnall, 2014)

The new design of the square still has some of the original, open concrete areas however the addition of two large water features adds a new dynamic to Sheaf Square. On one side of the square there is a stepped flow of water leading towards the bottom of the square into a large water fountain; however I much prefer the converging metal wall with pouring water opposite. Together the water features create an elegant path up towards the city centre (Fig 4). This modern feature is very diverse compared to that of the old Victorian station building, producing a very memorable and distinctive setting.

Fig 4. Sheaf Square and Sheffield Train Station (Bagnall, 2014)

Bibliography

Fig 1. Shaun Bagnall, 2014. Iron and Glass Roof of Sheffield Station. Photograph Taken 13^th January 2014.

Fig 2. Shaun Bagnall, 2014. Station Front Façade. Photograph Taken 13^th January 2014.

Fig 3. Shaun Bagnall, 2014. Sheaf Square. Photograph Taken 13^th January 2014.           

Fig 4. Shaun Bagnall, 2014. Sheaf Square and Sheffield Railway Station. Photograph Taken 13^th January 2014.

Davies, M. (2014). Charles Trubshaw, Architect | The Midland Hotel - Bradford. [online] Bradfordmidlandhotel.com. Available at: http://www.bradfordmidlandhotel.com/charles-trubshaw-architect [Accessed 15th January. 2014].

Living Rail, (2014). Sheffield Station Gateway. [online] Available at: http://81.47.175.201/livingrail/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=665:sheffield-station-gateway&catid=29:rail-terminals&Itemid=102 [Accessed 15th January. 2014].

Landow, G. (2011). The Midland Railway Station (now East Midland) at Sheffield (1874). [online] Victorianweb.org. Available at: http://www.victorianweb.org/technology/railways/82.html [Accessed 15th January. 2014].

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Term One

So now we have broken up for the Christmas break, I want to share what this first term has been like, both ups and downs.

First of all I have met some great people in the course. Even though in the introduction week was full of those awkward “ice-breaker exercises” you really don’t get to know people until you are all working together, having all the same problems and getting through them together. Now at the end of term one I have now a group of very good friends who have each other’s backs.

In terms of work, it has all been very enjoyable and easy to manage (that’s if you've not been going out every night…). I feel that the work that we have done is all just a warm up, it is preparing us for the bigger projects which are just over the hill that is the Christmas break. Already we have been given the next project of work entitled “LifeBox”. This project, introduced to us all in the final week has us working in coordination with a First Year Architect of our choosing, taking their work on the “LifeBox” and developing the idea into a fully functional and detailed final design. I can see this project being very fun or very complicated; you’ll just have to wait until next term to find out how it goes.

My most enjoyable project of work this term would have to be the “Make or Break”. Everyone in their individual groups became very competitive in what they buildings, seeing who could build the strongest structure or the have the most aesthetic design. When it came down to the final testing day everybody was looking forward to seeing whose would break and whose would work; im thinking that from the way everybody was acting the majority wanted to see some intense breaking of structures.

This may sound corny but this term there hasn't been any downs. The work has all been pretty enjoyable and by the end of term you feel that you've been friends with some people for years having a lot of funny and embarrassing moments. All-in-all, I am looking forward to the break being back home on the Wirral (missing the sea!!) but I am also very excited for what next term will bring.

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Make and Break Project

Make and Break was the name of our final project for this term. The brief; to build a crane-like structure to support a 1kg bag of sugar, and the sugar must have a clearance of 500mm from the base and 400mm from the main structure. The structure itself could only be made from 3mm dowel, string and glue (to make things that little harder!).This project was done in groups (in which we choose the groups), therefore me and 4 other close friends went together knowing we work well together!

Below are the original concepts we created based upon research in modern day cranes.          

 

After a week of research and experiments with smaller scale models, we produced a final design idea which we then spent 2 weeks building! (Below shows a design drawing of the proposed structure and below two photographs of the finished product)

Once complete, the structure was put through its paces to see if what we built could fulfil the brief and support a 1kg bag of sugar. As we had already performed several pre-tests we knew already that the structure was able to support the single bag of sugar but no more (meaning that the structure was not overdesigned), meaning the brief was achieved!

As a whole, the project was very entertaining! The group in which I was working with was very supportive and energetic meaning the work never seemed to get on top of us (we finished we days to spare). As of all projects, there is always room for improvements which you would like to do, I would suggest that if I and the group had the chance to return to the project we would look into strengthening the structure so it could hold 2 or more bags of sugar.

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Patchwork 2 - Newton Building

In this essay we are going to be looking into the history, architectural style and context of the Newton building in Nottingham. The building itself is the heart of Nottingham Trent University, with thousands of students passing through it daily. The Newton building was constructed almost 80 years after its Revival Gothic styled neighbouring building Arkwright.

The Newton building was designed by Thomas Cecil Howitt in 1952, a famous Nottingham architect of the mid-20^th century, with construction beginning four years later in 1956. After two years of construction, the building was formally opened by HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent in June 1958. (NTU, 2013) The Newton building is one of the tallest buildings in Nottingham at 45.7M; it dominates the skyline and can be seen from all directions (Emporis, 2013). In 1998, the building finally became Grade II listed (English Heritage, 2013). The building was untouched until 2010 when it underwent a £70million refurbishment project which resulted in the creation of a unique landmark in Nottingham (bdOnline, 2011). Since the redevelopment, Newton has gone on to win the RIBA award in 2011, and become one of the best city campus’ in the country (RIBA, 2013).

Before its redevelopment, the Newton building was purely of an Art Deco style. At the time of construction (1958), Nottingham had already seen an Art Deco revolution, with buildings such as the YMCA hostel (built 1937,  also designed by Thomas Cecil Howitt) and also the General Store building on Lister Gate (No. 22, 24 and 26) (English Heritage, 2013). Therefore because of this the Newton building was tailored to the previous aesthetics of the city. The building itself contains many of the characteristics of an Art Deco style building, this includes the flat roofs, features in sets of threes (i.e. the windows) and also the use of building ‘eyebrows’ which was a structural element added to keep the interior cool.  (Sharon Koskoff, 2013).

Since the multi-million pound redevelopment of Newton, the whole dynamic of this iconic, towering building has changed. The once pure Art Deco building has now emerged from construction as a fusion of Art Deco and a combination of modern architecture. (ClareNNC, 2011) The monolithic tower of Newton still clutches its Art Deco exterior; however the combination of both brutalism and structural expressionism has impressively transformed Newton’s main entrance and interior, bringing about a resurgence of life. The style of brutalism can be seen through the use of raw concrete on the exterior and interior such as upper floor support columns and exterior cladding (Saylor, 2013) whereas the use of structural expressionism is voiced in the design of the roof, with glulam beams spanning the roof space supporting the glass roof, providing masses of natural light into the main atrium (can be argued the use of natural light is something of sustainable architecture).

The Newton building itself is one which grasps two ages of architecture, art deco and the modern brutalism and structural expressionism, integrating them into a very distinctive combination. Both the interior and exterior style of Newton building makes it an extraordinary landmark within Nottingham.

Bibliography

bdOnline, 2011. Hopkins’ Restoration of Nottingham Trent University. bdOnline. Available at http://www.bdonline.co.uk/hopkins%E2%80%99-restoration-at-nottingham-trent-university/5010922.article [Accessed 20th November 2013]

ClareNNC, 2011. The History of the Nottingham Conference Centre. Nottingham Conference Centre. Available at http://nottinghamconferencecentre.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/the-history-of-nottingham-conference-centre/ [Accessed 20^th November 2011]

Emporis, 2013. Newton Building, Nottingham Trent University. EMPORIS GMBH. Available at http://www.emporis.com/building/newton-building-nottingham-trent-university-nottingham-united-kingdom [Accessed 20th November 2013]

English Heritage, 2013. British Listed Buildings. Crown. Available at http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-469229-newton-building-at-nottingham-trent-univ [Accessed 20th November 2013]

English Heritage, 2013. British Listed Buildings. Crown. Available at http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-457439-22-24-and-26-lister-gate- [Accessed 20th November 2013]

NTU, 2013. About NTU– History. Nottingham Trent University. Available at http://www.ntu.ac.uk/about_ntu/facilities/newton_and_arkwright/history_of_the_buildings/index.html  [Accessed 20^th November 2013]

RIBA, 2013. Newton and Arkwright Buildings. Architecture.com. Available at http://www.architecture.com/Awards/RIBAAwards/Winners2011/EastMidlands/NewtonandArkwrightBuilding/NewtonandArkwrightBuildingsNottinghamTrentUniversitystreetview.aspx#.UpOV6sQvUhM [Accessed 20th November 2013]

Saylor, 2013. Brutalist Architecture. Saylor. Available at  http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Brutalist-architecture.pdf [Accessed 20^th November 2011]

Sharon Koskoff, 2013. Art Deco Elements. Art Deco Society of Palm Beaches. Available at http://www.artdecopb.org/whatis2.html [Accessed 20^th November 2013]

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London Trip – British Museum

This weekend just gone, me and my girlfriend went and spent a long weekend in Cambridge. While there,  we decided last minute to get the train down to London (it being a 40 minute journey). Our capital city is somewhere where I have only been once before, and that was with the university last year where we had to gather project specific information, meaning there was no time for sightseeing. I have always wanted to go to London when I was younger; however being a boy up North (From the Wirral) this was never an option, although now I had the chance to go and finally be a tourist in our capital.

When we arrived in King Cross Station, we had our plan of action to walk from there in Hyde Park and then work our way back. With Google Maps in hand we set off down side streets to avoid the pedestrian rush, however on our way, by chance we ended up walking past one of the most iconic building in London; The British Museum.

Panoramic of British History Museum (Bagnall, 2014)

Designed by Sir Robert Smirke in 1823, the building was built in a Greek Revival style, which was common in the early 19^th century in Western European civilization. It has been built in a quadrangle shape creating 4 spacious wings; north, south, east and west. (TheBritishMuseum, 2013).

This was the first time I had seen the Museum in its full, and the first thought that came to me was how photographs of this magnificent building do not do it justice (which can be said about all building; only until you stand right next to it and see it with you own eyes will you only begin to grasp and understand its design). From first viewing, I could identify the style was Greek, which due to the fact that the building was built in the mid-19^th century meant I could identify it as being more specifically the Greek revival style. The key features which helped me identify this style are the use of ionic columns along the facades and also the addition of a beautiful crafted pediment seen from Great Russell Street.

This museum is a true landmark in the City of London, in an ever evolving city this buildings ancient style emphasises the power that it has in its design and function.

Bibliograpgy

TheBritishMuseum,2013. https://www.britishmuseum.org/about_us/the_museums_story/architecture.aspx

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Patchwork One - Arkwright Building

In this essay we are looking into the history and context of the Arkwright building. The building is part of Nottingham Trent University and is used by the Product Design and Built Environment students. Also we look into the architectural style of Arkwright, relating it to the time it was built and also its surroundings.

The Arkwright building was designed by three architects; Henry Francis Lockwood with Richard and William Mawson. The Mawson brothers in particularly are best known for their design work in Bradford, more specifically Victoria Hall, Saltaire and Salt Mills (Jacqueline Banerjee, 2011). The building took four years to build (1877 -1881) and cost £100,000 to build. Arkwright was originally designed in an ‘E- shape’, which housed three different sections; a public library, natural history museum and the University college. In 1941 a Luftwaffe bomb blew up the west side of the building which resulted in the re-construction of its west side of this now Grade-II listed building (Nottingham Post, 2010).

In the mid-19^th century came about the turn of style from Neo-classism to the Gothic Revival style of architecture. This was the first time that architecture took a step away from the old traditions of Greek and Rome (Commonwealth of Pennisylvania, 2013). There are many reasons for this change in style; this included the Romantic and Picturesque revolution, and the published work of one John Ruskin. His work in the books Seven Lamps of Architecture (1849) and Stones of Venice (1853) stated that the more sophisticated craftsmanship’s work symbolised a more honest way of life (Encyclopaedia Britain, 2013).

“Architects like A.W. Pugin and writers such as John Ruskin believed that the Middle Ages was a watershed in human achievement and that Gothic architecture represented the perfect marriage of spiritual and artistic values.” (Isabelle Goddard, 2012)

The Gothic Revival Style was seen quite commonly in religious, civic and domestic building such as civic centres, railway stations and educational building (David Ross, 2013). Examples of this type of style comprise of St. Pancras Station in London, designed by one of the Gothic revivals biggest architects, George Gilbert Scott, and the Palace of Westminster designed by Charles Barry (V&A, 2013).

During the 19^th century Nottingham saw a drastic increase in population. This increase, highly due to the success of Nottingham Lace Textiles, brought about the construction of building such as the Victoria Centre, built by Gothic Revival architect Watson Fothergill (Professor Josh Beckett, 2008). Gothic revival was very common in late 19^th century which meant when Arkwright was built; it was coordinated with its surrounding. Even though since then modern development has transformed Arkwright’s surroundings (through redevelopment of university campus and public buildings), Arkwright power has been enhanced.

As this was a revival style, the building features are similar to those from the original Gothic style; cross gables, pointed arch-windows  and decorative crowns above opening to list a few (Commonwealth of Pennisylvania, 2013). In relation to Arkwright itself, a collection of these features such as the cross gables and also castle-like towers on the front facade (see sketch) can be seen. Gargoyles hide themselves on the facades of the building, used as rain water drain as well as decoration, and these sculptures where commonly found on Gothic and Gothic Revival buildings (David Ross, 2003).

To concluded, the Gothic Revival style is a very noticeable style in the world today, it can easily be distinguished from original Gothic (David Ross, 2013). When built, Arkwright suited the Victorian style of architecture present in the late 19^th century Nottingham. However today architecture across Nottingham has evolved into very modern and elaborate forms, which this has strengthened the historical context of Arkwright.

Bibliography

Jacqueline Banerjee, 2011. The Victorian Web. Jacqueline Banerjee. Available at: http://www.victorianweb.org/misc/banerjee.html [28th October 2013]

This Is Nottingham, 2010. DH Lawrence Trained To Be A Teacher. Nottingham Post. Available at: http://www.nottinghampost.com/DH-Lawrence-trained-teacher/story-12205188-detail/story.html [28^th October 2013]

Commonwealth of Pennisylvania, 2013. Gothic Revival Style. Commonwealth of Pennisylvania. Available at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/mid-19th_century_period/2386/gothic_revival_style/293443 [28^th October 2013]

Encyclopaedia Britain, 2013. Gothic Revival. Encyclopaedia Britain Inc. Available at: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/239789/Gothic-Revival [28^th October 2013]

Isabelle Goddard, 2012. The Gothic Revival. Bookwebs. Available at: http://www.isabellegoddard.com/the-gothic-revival.html [28^th October 2013]

David Ross, 2013. Gothic Revival Architecture. Britain Express. Available at: http://www.britainexpress.com/architecture/gothic-revival.htm [28^th October 2013]

V&A, 2013. Style Guide, Gothic Revival. V&A. Available at: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/s/style-guide-gothic-revival/ [28^th October 2013]

Professor Josh Beckett, 2008. Overview: The 19^th Century .The Nottingham Heritage Gateway. Available at http://www.nottsheritagegateway.org.uk/places/nottingham/nottinghamc19.htm [28th October 2013]

David Ross, 2013. Gargoyles In English Architecture. Britain Express. Available at: http://www.britainexpress.com/architecture/gargoyles.htm [28^th October 2013]

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