Comments for The Rubble Club

Comment on Berners Pool - Hodders Associates, Cumbria by David

David — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:39:28 +0000

“same architect………..” hmmmmm
Many things are the culprit in this demise, but the construction details published in the Architects Journal building study showed fundamentaly flawed detailing born of an architectural intent that appears more about graphic design on a piece of paper than something that can be practically built and endure without excessive defects and maintenance. Much of this inadequacy cannot be blamed on budget cutting and cost cutting. The architecture is suspect. It does all practical and competent modernists a diservice.
Its a cruel twist of fate that because of the procurement process the builder and architect could not be sued to get both recompence for the community and an inquiry into the architects competence.

Comment on Tricorn Centre - Owen Luder, Portsmouth by Nolan - Outdoor LED Lighting

Nolan - Outdoor LED Lighting — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:45:23 +0000

Hey, Just a quick comment to say your sites not showing correctly on my netbook, interesting read though.

Comment on Tricorn Centre - Owen Luder, Portsmouth by Genny - Outdoor LED Lighting

Genny - Outdoor LED Lighting — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:27:09 +0000

Hey, just read some of your posts. Very informative.Hopefully I’ll see more of these posts on the net! Can’t wait to read more …

Comment on Southgate Shopping Centre - Owen Luder, Bath by Kirsten Elliott

Kirsten Elliott — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:50:45 +0000

I am sorry that Owen Luder has chosen to put up such a silly comment about the date of the buildings in Southgate Street. Some certainly had Victorian frontages, and the New Inn was a late Victorian rebuild, but many were Georgian and even earlier, although, to be fair, much of the street had been destroyed by fire in 1726. I commend Owen Luder to read The Lost Pubs of Bath, of which I happen to be co-author with Dr Andrew Swift, if he doubts this.
I am particularly sorry because there were much better ways to defend it. One thing a lot of Bathonians appear to have forgotten that the drainage at that end of town left a lot to be desired - come a hot summer, and, as I can remember, walking down there meant putting your hand over your nose and mouth, the smell was so bad. (I have mentioned this to other people who usually say - Oh yes, I’d forgotten that! Yes it was terrible!) However, the most important question anyone should ask about a building is not “What does it look like?” but “Does it work?” Luder’s Tricorn in Portmouth never worked but Southgate was a pleasure to shop in, especially with small children in tow. Yes it had convenience stores, but that end of town always did. Milsom Street had the “posh shops”. Now we have a ghastly, bland, ignorant Mock-Georgian shopping centre, with menacing blocks towering over a maze of contrived streets which bear no relation to any town which grew organically. Alas poor Bath!

Comment on James May’s Lego Villa by admin

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:37:55 +0000

We’ve hit a bit of a quiet patch in the aftermath of our first Rubble Club Awards but rest assured we are working on further submissions.

Comment on James May’s Lego Villa by Russell Bowes

Russell Bowes — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:18:34 +0000

Is The Rubble Club defunct? No postings for nearly three months!

Comment on Berners Pool - Hodders Associates, Cumbria by Peter

Peter — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:44:54 +0000

Interesting question from Alex, but in fact it was the same architect!

Comment on Southgate Shopping Centre - Owen Luder, Bath by Reality Control Here Is A Fact

Reality Control Here Is A Fact — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:02:35 +0000

My 1970’s Southgate scheme did not destroy beautiful Georgian buildings.

To all who have read this far - just to let you know: Owen Luder is here either unaware of history, or is deliberately spreading misinformation! The beautiful bit is subjective but his Southgate scheme did destroy Georgian buildings. His Southgate scheme was revolting though, so I can imagine why his subconscious would attempt to find justification over these past 30 years or so!

Comment on Southgate Shopping Centre - Owen Luder, Bath by D Garner

D Garner — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:10:01 +0000

But there is a serious side to the club, too. It aims to draw attention to the growing popularity of demolishing buildings, rather than finding ways of breathing new life into them. It is a trend totally inconsistent with society’s new-found focus on sustainability.

The above is a quote from this: http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/the-director-of-the-rubble-club-talks-about-the-serious-issues-behind-the-club/5209781.article

Is it too easy to say that this only seems to be an issue now that these architects’ works are the ones being demolished? The era in which the majority of these architects operated took as its ethos the gleeful demolition of perfectly sturdy buildings in the name of “progress”. Old buildings that could have done with a bit of a clean-up were ripped down and replaced with things that we now largely hate, not only because they are unpleasant to look at, casting deep shadows and making us feel miserable around them, but because of the philosophy they took while they were taking their place.

Comment on Southgate Shopping Centre - Owen Luder, Bath by John Gilbert

John Gilbert — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:30:59 +0000

Mr Luder (if indeed that is you),

I live in the shadow of two of your contributions to British architecture here in Gateshead.

It is only my opinion, although it seems to be shared by the local council here, but I would argue that my mother’s dog leaves more meaningful contribtutions when she takes her for a walk.

You have campaigned vociferously for these to be retained. Well - help yourself. You can come here and remove them both and re-erect them near you.

Good luck with planning permission, by the way.