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Tyne And Wear, Sunderland, Sunderland Civic Centre
Local Government Office (20th Century), Town Hall (20th Century)
Site Name Tyne And Wear, Sunderland, Sunderland Civic Centre
Classification Local Government Office (20th Century), Town Hall (20th Century)
Canmore ID 284670
Site Number NZ35SE 1
NGR NZ 4000 5440
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/284670
- Council Not Applicable
- Parish Not Applicable
- Former Region Not Applicable
- Former District Not Applicable
- Former County Not Applicable
Building Notes
In 1964 Sunderland County Borough chose Sir Basil Spence, Bonnington & Collins as architects for the Borough’s new Civic Centre. Jack Bonnington was the lead architect for the scheme. The site chosen for the new scheme was West Park to the south of the town centre. Work commenced in January 1968 and was completed in July 1970. The total project cost was £3,359,000.
Spence's design consists of three principal elements, the largest of which provides accommodation for 1,000 administrative employees. This comprises two low-rise blocks that form a figure of eight around two hexagonal courtyards. The main entrance is situated at the centre of the blocks and both courtyards allow pedestrian access to all parts of the Civic Centre. Spence designed the blocks so that none of the internal walls were structural. This allowed the office space to be easily altered in the future to allow for organisational changes.
The second element is a two-storey civic suite which includes a central double height council chamber. The upper level of this building accommodates a suite of committee rooms while the lower floor houses the council members' rooms. The third element is a large multi-storey car park providing parking for staff and visitors to the Civic Centre, as well as for the general public visiting the town centre.
The whole scheme is clad using brown brindle brick and the window frames are made of aluminium. The building was awarded a Royal Institute of British Architects Gold Medal and a Civic Trust Award.
Archive Details and Summary
The Sir Basil Spence Archive holds one manuscript folder and four photographs relating to Sunderland Civic Centre. This includes a letter of appointment dated 13 February 1964 offering the contract to Sir Basil Spence, Bonnington and Collins, and an undated booklet explaining the nature of the project. Also included is correspondence from the Northern Architectural Association disputing the chosen site for the Civic Centre. The four photographs are of the model.
This text was written as one of the outputs of the Sir Basil Spence Archive Project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, 2005-08. Information about the project can be found at http://www.basilspence.org.uk
