{"id":773174,"date":"2025-02-04T09:53:25","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T09:53:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=773174"},"modified":"2025-02-04T12:07:34","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T12:07:34","slug":"listing-bid-to-save-wolverhamptons-1960s-art-school-from-demolition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/news\/listing-bid-to-save-wolverhamptons-1960s-art-school-from-demolition","title":{"rendered":"Listing bid to save Wolverhampton\u2019s 1960s art school from demolition"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 1960s Brutalist building overlooking the city\u2019s ring road faces redevelopment as part of the university\u2019s plans for a \u2018radical\u2019 overhaul of its estate.<\/p>\n

The AJ understands that under the plans, the post-war art school would be demolished and the site redeveloped on the advice of university consultants \u2013 despite campaigners arguing that it has \u2018abundant potential\u2019 to be retrofitted.<\/p>\n

But the redevelopment plans could be scuppered if Historic England approves a listing application for the building, which it is currently considering.<\/p>\n

The nine-storey tower block, known as the George Wallis building, sits in Wolverhampton city centre, bounded by Stafford Street to the east, North Street to the west and the ring road to the south. Its primary structure consists of reinforced in-situ concrete, with elevations characterised by open-frame, stretched octagonal openings.<\/p>\n

The building was commissioned by the County Borough of Wolverhampton and designed between 1966 and 1970 by architect Diamond, Redfern & Partners in collaboration with the Staffordshire county architect A Chapman. It was officially opened in 1970 by sculptor Charles Wheeler, a former Wolverhampton University student.<\/p>\n

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University of Wolverhampton School of Arts protest<\/p>\n\t

Source:Sharonjit Sutton<\/p><\/div>\n

A Change.org petition<\/a> rallying against the demolition has already racked up more than 3,500 signatures since it was launched last week (30 January).<\/p>\n

The campaign describes the building as \u2018more than just an art school’, insisting it is \u2018a landmark and part of Wolverhampton\u2019s skyline and heritage\u2019.<\/p>\n

Architectural heritage campaigner the Twentieth Century Society submitted a listing application for the School of Art last year, prompted by its \u2018very real and immediate threat of demolition\u2019.<\/p>\n

The society said the building was in \u2018very good condition, externally and internally\u2019, insisting its demolition \u2018would simply be wasteful, irresponsible and anti-growth\u2019.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson added: \u2018Defined by its sculptural concrete \u201cexoskeleton\u201d, this is an excellent surviving example of a post-war art school that has remained in its original use and survives in very good condition, both externally and internally.<\/p>\n

\u2018It clearly has abundant potential to be sympathetically upgraded or reconfigured to suit whatever plans the university may develop in the years to come.\u2019<\/p>\n

Along with demolishing the art school, the university\u2019s plans for a \u2018radical shake-up of its estate\u2019<\/a> include the planned closure of its Telford campus and replacing its city centre sports hall with a new medical school.<\/p>\n

A Historic England spokesperson said: \u2018We are currently in the process of assessing University of Wolverhampton\u2019s School of Art for listing.<\/p>\n

\u2018In due course, we will submit our advice to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), who will then make the final decision on the case.\u2019<\/p>\n