Category Archives: Blots on the Townscape

Archispeak #1 – TEA, Tenerife

Posted on 11/01/2017 by Opinionated Designer

WHAT ARCHITECTS SAY VERSUS THE REALITY! Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2008 ARCHITECTS: Herzog & De Meuron, project directed by the Canarian architect Virgilio Gutiérrez ARCHITECTS: “…..A new public path diagonally cuts through the building complex connecting the … Continue reading →

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Beyond The Dreaming Spires

Posted on 11/04/2016 by Opinionated Designer

THE OTHER OXFORD, FAR FROM THE TOURIST TRAIL Mention Oxford to most people and an image of beautiful golden stone buildings with spires and domes comes to mind. The High Street or ‘The High’ is surely one of the most … Continue reading →

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Blot on the Historic Townscape

Posted on 21/02/2016 by Opinionated Designer

King’s Lane Development, Cambridge, UK (1967)  – Architect: James Cubitt & Partners  There are so many third-rate modern buildings around they just blend into the background, but sometimes you come across one that is so crass, ugly, and ridiculous that … Continue reading →

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Blots on the Cityscape – The Ruin of London?

Posted on 15/07/2015 by Opinionated Designer

There has been an astonishing lack of serious debate about the future planning of London except in one or two of the architecture journals and the Guardian. Over 400 very tall buildings are planned for the city, particularly along the south … Continue reading →

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Blot on the Landscape – Close-board Fencing

Posted on 10/06/2015 by Opinionated Designer

Is there any more miserable way to mark a boundary than the ubiquitous close-board fence? The cheapest method of enclosing outside space (and looks it) which is why it is thoughtlessly used everywhere. It often blocks ancient routes for wildlife … Continue reading →

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Blot on the Townscape #2 – The Blade, Reading

Posted on 01/02/2015 by Opinionated Designer

This is the tallest building in Reading (Berkshire, UK) and so the ridiculous silver cardboard pointy bit on the top can unfortunately be seen for miles around. Quote from the building’s website: “Sharp thinking……The curving form of the spire gives … Continue reading →

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Blot on the Historic Landscape – The Port Meadow Scandal

Posted on 09/01/2015 by Opinionated Designer

CASTLE MILL GRADUATE STUDENT ACCOMMODATION, OXFORD Port Meadow is an ancient area of water meadow by the Thames on the edge of Oxford. Around 300 acres (120 hectares) in area it is still used for grazing cattle and horses, as it … Continue reading →

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Blot on the Townscape #1 – Oxford

Posted on 29/12/2014 by Opinionated Designer

Looking at this horror in the centre of the city you might think it was an electricity sub-station with those gates,  or even University squash courts. But no, it is a block of flats in an area of Victorian terraces … Continue reading →

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