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Places featuresYou are in: South Yorkshire > Places > Places features > Sheffield's Architecture, old and new Sheffield's Architecture, old and newBy Roland May The City of Sheffield has witnessed many decades of varying architecture. We take a look at Sheffield's best and worst buildings - and ask the locals what they think...  Buildings in Sheffield city centre :: October 2008In leading British cities it's become apparent that we are living and working amongst a combination of out-dated and futuristic buildings which contrast in different ways with each other. So we thought we'd ask the public in Sheffield what they thought about the city's buildings.
Help playing audio/video Until the early 21st century, Britain's key cities have been filled with dark, gloomy and out of date buildings.  Town Hall and Embrace nightclub Along with the commuters and everyday city life this can have a depressing and simply boring effect. In turn, those visiting or working can be left with an unenthusiastic and bitter impression of our cities. In the revolution of modern everyday appliances (computers, mobile phones, mp3 devices...) shouldn't buildings fit in and complete our futuristic package? Should we be living and working in buildings that resemble huge iPod's or scaled-up desktop computers - our workplaces and homes fitting our up to date lifestyles?
Help playing audio/video  Old and new architecture in Sheffield On the other hand listed and conserved buildings will always provide our cities with a rich historical, cultural and architectural background and identity which will attract tourism and those interested in that line of knowledge. They present a contrast between new, old and the present day. Some have said that Britain had missed the "architectural gravy train" and had been left to cough on Europe's dust of innovations in modern day city buildings, because of our past failure to notice the revolution of futuristic design in architecture.ΜύΜύΜύΜύ But in recent years in South Yorkshire, it's appeared that Sheffield is becoming accustomed to the spark of ingenious landmark buildings and getting used to the frequent changes in the city's buildings.  Car park Amazingly and funnily enough it is Sheffield's new and abstract car parks which seem to be at the height of the city's urbanely excellent revitalisation plans. Although these creations aren't exactly used in the most exciting fashions (parking your car), they are outstanding amongst their neighbouring office buildings.Μύ  'Cheesegrater' building in Sheffield In 2008 Sheffield witnessed the building of two new futuristic car parks; an imposing brown illuminated "piano keyboard" near The Moor and another one huge one - the silver, spiky "cheesegrater" (or "sugar cube") at St Paul's Place/Arundel Gate which was sold in 2008 to a private investor for more than Β£21 million. Although proven expensive, it's said to be crucial to Sheffield's acclaimed Β£130 million 'Heart of the City' project. The foot of the building will be a home to a Casino. The primary users of these car parks will most often be shoppers and those visiting the city centre's attractions - so therefore their excursion is made exciting within the first few minutes of arrival. As in every city, there's always a difference in opinion between the public. Obviously voices need to be heard about the construction of buildings like the cheesegrater and "the brown one" - and equally about the demolition of others.  Sheffield University's 'Soundhouse' building We asked shoppers in Sheffield what they thought about the city's new and old buildings. Listen to their varied opinions by clicking on the link below.
Help playing audio/video We got a mixed response when we asked locals for their most favoured and most disliked buildings and landmarks.  Sheffield Town Hall It would be fair to say that the younger public in general prefer the look of the "cheesegrater" but an older couple described the new creation as "obscene," a "contraption" and "quite horrendous" and were dismayed that so many "old traditional buildings were being pulled down to put cr*p up." We begin to wonder if any of the old or new buildings have a wide similar reaction amongst the general public. One that did seem to constantly pop up and remain popular was the Town Hall. Built during seven years (1890-1897) it is designed to echo the architecture of the adjacent St Paul's Church of 1720 and is situated on Pinstone St.  Sheffield University Arts Tower When asked which buildings sprung to mind as disliked, many thought it was the University's Arts Tower which stood out like a sore thumb. Until the building of the skyscraper at St Paul's Place/Arundel Gate in 2008, the Arts Tower was for many years Sheffield's highest building standing, at 255 ft (32 floors). Famous for its paternoster lift and the fact you can see it from miles around, the building was described as "horrible," a "lost cause," and "a concrete lump in the landscape."
Help playing audio/video Find out more about the Arts Tower by following the link on the right of the page - and listen to public opinion on which buildings are Sheffield's best and worst by listening to the link below. More Sheffield photos on the internet:: The Sheffield Regeneration Gallery website aims to produce a body of work that looks at the history of Sheffield’s architecture since 1945, collecting as many memories as possible through family photographs of buildings in Sheffield city centre and the stories that people remember about them. More information via the link below (external website). The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is not responsible for the content of external websites :: The Facebook group Pictures of Sheffield Old and New was started by Sheffield resident and fan Hedley Bishop. The group has been collecting lots of photos from all around Sheffield - as the name suggests, both old and new! Have a look by clicking on the link below (another external website). The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is not responsible for the content of external websites last updated: 17/03/2009 at 09:54 Have Your SayWhich do you think are the best and worst buildings in South Yorkshire?
Darren London
Shaun - Sheffield
Eric Winnert
glenda sharp
Derrick Robinson
Nick Sheffield
Kasper Schmeady
Eleanor Bermingham
Frank Allan
Elizabeth
jan jiles
Paul Johnson
Chris
Dee, Firth Park, Sheffield SEE ALSOYou are in: South Yorkshire > Places > Places features > Sheffield's Architecture, old and new |
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