Radical ESSEX Book, Modern Architecture, Modernist Buildings, Architects, Designs
Radical ESSEX Book: Modernism
The Modernist County: 20th Century Architecture in South East England, UK
22 Jun 2018
Radical ESSEX Book News
Radical ESSEX Book – ESSEX Architecture Weekend News
‘Essex is a complex county, judged solely by more misguided stereotypes than perhaps any other. The Radical ESSEX project set out to re-examine this perception and celebrate the extremes of this innovative and experimental county. From early modernist architectural experiments to worker colonies and pacifist communities, the county has always demonstrated its ability to be self-guided in its desires – to seek, experiment and redefine.’ Radical ESSEX co-editor Joe Hill
Focal Point Gallery is pleased to announce the publication of Radical ESSEX.
Following on from the Radical Essex project, which took place throughout 2016 and 2017, this publication includes new writing from Tim Burrows, Gillian Darley, Charles Holland, Rachel Lichtenstein, Jules Lubbock, Jess Twyman and Ken Worpole, as well as photography from Catherine Hyland.
Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Burnham-on-Crouch:
Photographs © Catherine Hyland. Courtesy Focal Point Gallery
It charts a project which set out to re-examine the region in relation to its radicalism, lifestyle, politics and architecture, and shed light on the region’s the vibrant, pioneering thinking throughout the twentieth century.
This publication includes archive material that document the wide range of activity including a weekend celebrating Modernist architecture in Essex, and an exhibition charting the history of the county’s experimental communities.
In their respective essays, Burrows and Worpole reveal how Essex, trapped between the city and the longest coastline in England, became a form of an escape, a testing ground for experimental ways of living, and a place where new artistic practices could develop and thrive. Examples include include Tolstoyan communes, the anarchist-pacifist open house Dial House, founded by members of the punk band Crass, and the religious retreat of Othona Community.
The county also lays claim to being the birthplace of British Modernism, with the country’s earliest building of this style built on the outskirts of Braintree, laying the path for gems built by Ove Arup, Joseph Emberton and Richard and Su Rogers. This is celebrated by the architect Charles Holland, who, with Grayson Perry, created the celebrated A House for Essex.
Essex has played a significant role in architectural experiments as the home to two socialist working communities in Silver End and East Tilbury, as well as two New Towns: Harlow and Basildon. Gillian Darley describes their development, from do-it-yourself plotlands to meticulously planned civic settlements, their creation forming a new relationship for the county to the capital.
The University of Essex has long since been known as a site of radical politics. Jules Lubbock discusses the formation of the Colchester campus, the thinking behind the innovative, interconnected architecture that would encourage cross learning and new thinking, with Jess Twyman taking over to examine how the students took this on, by challenging their authority through sit-ins and protests, living up to the University motto of being ‘rebels with a cause’.
Finally, Rachel Lichtenstein examines the current physical landscape of the county, through that which still connects us to London, the Thames Estuary, recalling a walk recently taken with Iain Sinclair out to Essex, describing the views, history, industry and society of the waterway, ending at the looming, and now desolate, Bata shoe factory.
The Sunshine House, Heath Drive, Romford:
Radical ESSEX is illustrated with photography from award-winning photographer Catherine Hyland, who worked in residence for the Radical ESSEX project, documenting the architecture and landscape of the county in her unique style. It also includes a new series of her works, ‘People of Othona’.
This publication has been produced using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England as part of the country-wide Cultural Destinations programme, a partnership with VisitEngland. It has also received support from Essex Heritage Trust, a charity whose funds support the preservation or restoration of any aspect of Essex Heritage.
A launch will be held at Twenty One, Southend-on-Sea on Saturday 30 June, 2.00 to 4.00pm.
Shipwrights, Benfleet building:
Architecture Books publication details and writers biographies
Previously on e-architect:
ESSEX Architecture Weekend
10 – 11 Sep 2016
Radical Essex is presenting a programme of events to celebrate the county’s pioneering role in twentieth century architecture.
Essex Architecture
photo © Kilian O’Sullivan
About Radical Essex
Focal Point Gallery, Elmer Square, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1NB, Essex, England, UK
+44 (0)1702 534108, focalpointgallery@southend.gov.uk @radicalessex
Location: Essex, England, UK
Essex Building Designs
Essex Architecture
Newhall Be, Harlow, north west Essex
Design: Alison Brooks Architects
photo : Paul Riddle
Newhall Housing
Romford Development, south west Essex
Design: ColladoCollins Architects
image from architects
Romford Development
Southend Pier
Design: White Arkitekter
photograph : Luke Hayes
Southend Pier Cultural Centre
Essex Buildings
University of Essex Institute For Democracy and Conflict Resolution
English Architecture
English Architecture Designs – chronological list
County Architecture adjacent to Essex
Cambridgeshire Buildings
Website: Architecture
Buildings / photos for the Radical ESSEX Book page welcome
Website: Essex, England