Civic Centre on at-risk list
A CHARITY organisation that campaigns for the preservation of distinctive 20th Century architecture has included Swansea’s Civic Centre as one of the top 10 most ‘at risk’ modern buildings in the UK.
The Twentieth Century Society, known as the C20 Society, was founded in 1979 as a direct response to the growing interest in 20th Century architecture and to complement the preservation work of the already existing Victorian Society.
Made up of experts, members, volunteers and supporters, the C20 Society campaigns to save unique buildings that have shaped the visual landscape in the UK since 1914.
As well as campaigning to save these rare and more recent buildings, the charity aims to educate and promote the beauty of these 20th Century properties and their importance in the history of some of the UK’S busiest towns and cities.
The society has just released its 2021 ‘buildings at risk’ top 10 list and Swansea’s civic centre is included.
Number six on the list, the imposing Brutaliststyle building has stood proudly along the coast of Swansea Bay for decades, welcoming visitors to the city and used daily by local people as the current home of Swansea Central Library and Swansea Council.
According to the C20 Society, the building was constructed in two phases between 1979 to 1984 as the headquarters for West Glamorgan County Council. The building’s distinctive design was created by the county architects department.
It is a concrete-framed structure, rising to four and five storeys, faced with white flint aggregate panels, with the council chamber jutting outwards above the entrance ensuring its unique and noticeable design as you drive or walk along the coast road.
The building opened in 1982 as County Hall and, following local government reorganisation in Wales established in 1996, ownership was transferred to the new City and County of Swansea.
The building was renamed the Civic Centre
on March 19, 2008, and Swansea Central Library was moved in as part of a redevelopment scheme, where it has remained ever since.
Prior to the building’s construction, properties in Sloane Street and Dunvant Place were demolished to make way for the new structure and now it appears the civic centre is under threat of the same fate.
In 2019 Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart said: “As part of our city centre’s multimillion pound transformation, it remains our aim to vacate and demolish the Civic Centre.”
Included in a £1bn project to transform seven sites in Swansea the Civic Centre appears to be ear-marked for a “residential-led, mixeduse development” in the future, as part of the Shaping Swansea initiative.
The charity states that they are strongly opposed to demolition of the ‘iconic building’ and has submitted an application to have the building listed as Grade II. They state that only one Welsh county hall from the 20th century is listed, the Grade II Shire Hall in Newport.