Campus Planning

Scale block model of provisional idea for new college extension building, 1950

Modern Maxwell That Never Was

Salford's first vision for expansion was a short lived scheme.

Perspectivist Peter Sainsbury

An unexpected enquiry led to a rediscovery of Peter Sainsbury’s architectural perspectives for Salford’s 1964 masterplan.

Donald Webster (left) and Tony Halliday (right), co-founders of Design Group Nigeria, partaking of some local hooch, at some point in the mid-1950s. Image: Peter Halliday.

Tropical modernism

Guest post: Peter Halliday transports us to 1950s Nigeria when his Dad worked under Maxwell Fry and Jane Dew.

Viva Space, Hope, and Brutalism

Elain Harwood (1958–2023) and her untimely death, reflecting on her work in Space, Hope and Brutalism: English Architecture.

York: Punting, alas, is forbidden

Guest post: York's architecture and pedagogy was one of enigmatic restraint. Ben Britton discusses the collegiate campus.

Prince Philip greeting dignitaries inside Salford Technical College

Campus art gallery

Guest post: William Mitchell's Minute Men brought the atmosphere of the stars and space travel to Salford. An artistic tour with Natalie Bradbury.

Birks: Building the New Universities

Shortly after Beloff's The Plateglass Universities, architectural historian Tony Birks published his thoughts on the new universities in 1972.

Leeds: A whole of three parts

Guest post: architects Chamberlin, Powell and Bon understood the fundamentals at the University of Leeds. Lisa Brown investigates.

Sheffield: A new chapter

Guest post: Barely a week goes by at Sheffield Modernist HQ without an image of The Arts Tower. Helen Angell takes us on a campus walk.

Swansea: waterfront campus

Guest post: Swansea University's Fulton House and residence halls were designed by architect Percy Thomas, responsible for Salford Civic Centre. Catrin James takes us round the campus.