National Trust: Brutal Utopias

The National Trust, an institution dedicated to the provision of tearooms, gift shops and the conservation of crumbling country houses has begun to recognise the importance of the preservation and promotion of modern architecture. For ten days starting on the 25th September 2015 the National Trust in partnership with others will be hosting a series of unique one off events, tours and talks in celebration of brutalism. 

The tours include, the Brutalist elements of the Southbank complex (Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Hayward Gallery) which will be soon closed for refurbishment works, tours of the recently restored Park Hill flats in Sheffield and Denis Lasdens work at the University of East Anglia, Norwich. There will also be the opportunity to rid a Routemaster bus in a series of expert-led bus tours of London’s other iconic Brutalist sites. 

Anyone wanting to take advantage of this opportunity should book straight away as the limited tickets are selling quickly! I was unable to secure tickets for the Brutalism: Brutal or Beautiful? talk ('a discussion of Brutalism’s legacy at the Southbank Centre') which looked very interesting.

Tours 
Southbank Centre – Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Hayward Gallery
Park Hill, Sheffield
University of East Anglia (UEA), Norwich

Other Events:
Brutalism: Brutal or Beautiful? Sold Out :(
Routemaster bus tours

(National Trust website) More information 

Heritage Weekend (19th-20th Sept)

Here are some of the Brutalist Highlights for next weekends (19-20th September 2015) Open house London/heritage open days. This is a work in progress, if you have spotted any good brutalism open please get in touch! 

London - Camden

- 8 Stoneleigh Terrace (Highgate New Town, Stage 1)

Details: OPEN- Sunday 10am-to-5pm (includes hourly tours on a first come basis. Last tour 4pm. closed 1pm-2pm). Promises a tour of a flat and of the estate.  More information

- Alexandra Road Estate

Details: OPEN- Saturday | 10am-to-5pm (Last entry 4.30pm) with regular tours.

NOTE: This was in high demand last year, very long queues, I tried (and failed) to get in! Plan this one well! More information

- Alexandra Road Park (Alexander Road Estate)

Details: Saturday | 10am-to-5pm Hourly tours  
More information

- Royal College of Physicians

Details: Sunday | 11am-to-4pm (Regular architectural and garden tours bookable on the day. Lecture titled 'The Architecture of Sir Denys Lasdun' will start at 2.15pm and will be given by Dr Barnabas Calder.) 
More information

- Swiss Cottage Library

Details:  Saturday | 10am-to-5pm  Sunday | 11am-to-4pm 
More information

For more information, visit the open day websites:
Heritage Open days - England
Open House - London