About

In 2009, the Architecture Centre Devon and Cornwall received Your Heritage funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to create the two year Plymouth: 20th Century City project based on the unique architecture and built environment of Plymouth. The main aim of the project is to encourage people to explore and discover what makes Plymouth’s distinctive 20th Century planning, design, art and Architecture special. The project has been developed with the help of local organisations and groups and was devised with Plymothians in mind as well as visitors to the city. The project is designed to encourage the residents and visitors to Plymouth to continue to be involved in and contribute to the project development.

In addition to the resources already available on this website there will be a sound file with commentary and a guide to the walking trail as an mpeg and various resources for the public and teachers to use. Different activities and events will take place around the city and a printed family activity map will be made available at various key locations in Plymouth, including the tourist office.

Introduction

Plymouth city centre is the greatest built example of post-War British planning and architecture. The city suffered very significant bomb damage in the war and the mayor, Lord Astor, appointed Patrick Abercrombie, the most distinguished town planner of the day, to prepare A Plan for Plymouth in 1943. Abercrombie’s plan, with the City Engineer, James Paton Watson, swept away all the old streets and replaced them with a rational, functionally zoned grid set about a major axis (Armada Way) running north-south from the Railway Station to The Hoe.

The new city was on a grand scale influenced by New Delhi in India and Canberra in Australia and by the 19th century the Beaux-Arts planning which had re-formed Paris. The city authorities embraced the new plan enthusiastically.

Using some of the best architects of the day, Plymouth was the first British city to commence reconstruction in April 1947 and the first to open new buildings in 1951. Separate architects, usually working for private developers, designed all the buildings but the city architect and city engineer and their advisors, the architects Thomas Tait and William Crabtree, rigidly controlled their width, height, form and materials.

Plymouth represented the architecture of the future – clean, bright, democratic and, most of all, optimistic. In addition to Abercrombie’s Plan, there was a number of surviving 20th century buildings pre-dating the Second World War as well as notable additions that came later to Plymouth. Plymouth is truly a 20th Century city, it was granted city status in 1928 and currently has the greatest number of post-war buildings listed by English Heritage in the country, outside London.

Aims of the Project

• To make the 20th Architecture and built environment of Plymouth accessible and inspirational
• To build and maintain effective partnerships through collaboration and involvement
• Create new opportunities for the community to be involved in the project
• To build and maintain effective partnerships with the community
• To develop new and/or wider audiences to strength local pride in their community by providing wide-ranging and inclusive resources. This includes taking the project out to the community and onto the streets of Plymouth by hosting well organised, interesting activities and experiences that are open to all
• To create teaching resources using the material collected to show that the 20th Architecture and Built Environment of Plymouth can be used to inspire and raise aspiration in children/young people to learn about local geography, their built environment, history, art and citizenship; exposure and meaningful learning experiences during childhood can imbed knowledge for greater participation and appreciation in adult life. Also, support teachers/trainee teachers by providing resources and opportunities for professional development, which are accessible, relevant and complement the National Curriculum
• To produce a high quality project that supports the Cultural Offer and Every Child Matters initiatives
• To change perceptions and pre-conceptions about Plymouth its history and its architecture.

Feedback and participation

If you would like to be involved or would like further information about this project or give us valuable feedback about any of the elements of this project please contact us

Support

We would like to acknowledge the support and contribution of:

Heritage Lottery Fund
CABE
Professor Jeremy Gould, University of Plymouth
Plymouth Arts Centre
Plymouth and West Devon Record Office
Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery
Plymouth City Centre Company
Fiona Osmaston and Tamarside Community College
Michelle Lockett
Fotonow
Part Exchange Co
English Heritage

With thanks to Onshore for the design and website.

About the Architecture Centre Devon and Cornwall

The Architecture Centre Devon and Cornwall aims to make architecture and the built environment accessible and inspirational for all. Working across Devon and Cornwall with local authorities, schools, teachers, families and communities, the centre offers a programme of high quality formal and informal activities including outreach workshops, online resources and site visits.

The Architecture Centre Devon and Cornwall was established in June 2006 with support from CABE - The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and Creating Excellence, the regional centre for sustainable communities, to promote quality in the design of the Built Environment. It is an independent, not for profit organisation working in the sub-region towards design excellence.

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