April meeting: Talk on Huddersfield in 50 buildings
Report by David Wyles
Chris Marsden, former HCS Chairman, outlined some of the 50 buildings identified in his book Huddersfield in 50 Buildings at an illustrated talk to HCS members on Tuesday, April 2.
Chris's expansive knowledge of the history and architecture of the town was matched by some outstanding photography by Andrew Caveney, as well as many historic images.
Focusing on buildings that still exist, Chris's celebration of the town's magnificent built heritage ranged from the late 18th century canal warehouse at Aspley to more recent developments.
They included Queensgate Market, the John Smith's Stadium and, a favourite of Chris's, Broadbent's Bath House on Queen Street South, a rare, possibly unique example of a purpose-built bath house for foundry workers.
Chris not only outlined what he felt was special about each building but gave a glimpse of the remarkable stories behind such features as the lion on Lion Arcade, the building of Estate Buildings and the outstanding engineering of Lockwood Viaduct.
The talk followed the society's AGM which highlighted the progress and achievements over the past year.
Chris's book, published by Amberley Publishing is available from local bookshops and costs £13.49.
Chris Marsden, former HCS Chairman, outlined some of the 50 buildings identified in his book Huddersfield in 50 Buildings at an illustrated talk to HCS members on Tuesday, April 2.
Chris's expansive knowledge of the history and architecture of the town was matched by some outstanding photography by Andrew Caveney, as well as many historic images.
Focusing on buildings that still exist, Chris's celebration of the town's magnificent built heritage ranged from the late 18th century canal warehouse at Aspley to more recent developments.
They included Queensgate Market, the John Smith's Stadium and, a favourite of Chris's, Broadbent's Bath House on Queen Street South, a rare, possibly unique example of a purpose-built bath house for foundry workers.
Chris not only outlined what he felt was special about each building but gave a glimpse of the remarkable stories behind such features as the lion on Lion Arcade, the building of Estate Buildings and the outstanding engineering of Lockwood Viaduct.
The talk followed the society's AGM which highlighted the progress and achievements over the past year.
Chris's book, published by Amberley Publishing is available from local bookshops and costs £13.49.
March meeting: Lecture on the Eddington development
Report by John Lockwood
A large audience of Civic Society members, guests and students attended our annual lecture held jointly with the University's School of Architecture.
The new Oastler building is proving an ideal venue for such important events. Our speaker was Kristof Keerman, Project Architect from Stanton Williams, a prestigious, large London-based practice.
We learned how they, with a number of similar practices, including Wilkinson Eyre, of tilting Tyne Bridge fame, are creating a new suburb for Cambridge on greenbelt land on a site similar in size to the large plots of the newly released development land in Kirklees.
Built at a high density yet with generous sized rooms, the combined skills of so many different designers are creating an innovative settlement for the future. It was interesting to hear of the project models made to get the juxtaposition of buildings, pathways, cycle tracks and roads correct.
Building to a high density allowed space in the development for leisure purposes. Besides an attractive town centre, there is a nursery and junior school, community centre, health centre, supermarket and shops.
Amazingly, each flat or house has a separate sheltered space for two cycles!
Built at one grade lower than 'Eco-house standard, dwellings are provided with heating and hot water from a community boiler and rainwater is recycled around the site and incorporated into an attractive small lake. Even the waste bins are doing their bit – each being fitted with an electronic chip which indicates when they are full and should be collected!
We felt the timing of this well illustrated talk was fortuitous giving food for thought when new large housing schemes are planned in Kirklees.
A large audience of Civic Society members, guests and students attended our annual lecture held jointly with the University's School of Architecture.
The new Oastler building is proving an ideal venue for such important events. Our speaker was Kristof Keerman, Project Architect from Stanton Williams, a prestigious, large London-based practice.
We learned how they, with a number of similar practices, including Wilkinson Eyre, of tilting Tyne Bridge fame, are creating a new suburb for Cambridge on greenbelt land on a site similar in size to the large plots of the newly released development land in Kirklees.
Built at a high density yet with generous sized rooms, the combined skills of so many different designers are creating an innovative settlement for the future. It was interesting to hear of the project models made to get the juxtaposition of buildings, pathways, cycle tracks and roads correct.
Building to a high density allowed space in the development for leisure purposes. Besides an attractive town centre, there is a nursery and junior school, community centre, health centre, supermarket and shops.
Amazingly, each flat or house has a separate sheltered space for two cycles!
Built at one grade lower than 'Eco-house standard, dwellings are provided with heating and hot water from a community boiler and rainwater is recycled around the site and incorporated into an attractive small lake. Even the waste bins are doing their bit – each being fitted with an electronic chip which indicates when they are full and should be collected!
We felt the timing of this well illustrated talk was fortuitous giving food for thought when new large housing schemes are planned in Kirklees.
