Friday, September 28, 2007

Mowlem again




Take a look at this, is it going to happen?


Posted by at

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow I'm impressed. I have always thought that the actual form of the mowlem isn't that bad especially with new contemporary designs copying 60's designs, it's the finishes and detail which make the building so terrible ( and the criminal lack of maintenance ).

29/9/07 7:30 am
Anonymous said...

Terrific - never thought such an ugly duckling could turn into such a stylish swan! Just what Swanage needs, and could hopefully be the catalyst for revamping & remodelling Station Road and Institute Road (God knows, they need it!)

Hold on - who is going to pay for this ?

29/9/07 7:58 pm
Anonymous said...

Too limited to judge.

I guess that's the view out to sea - with a slight addition!

What do the sides that we normally see look like?

29/9/07 11:48 pm
Anonymous said...

The Architect Laurence Bowen Replys:
We did the Mowlem scheme as a bit of PR really and because it depresses me both as a resident and as an architect living in Swanage that we don't seem to be able to develop anything truly sustainable for the town. When I say sustainable I mean some buildings with quality civic amenities that support the community while celebrating Swanage, both its location and its heritage. Plenty of traditional seaside towns are benefiting from the intervention of quality modern architecture within traditional Victorian contexts, examples like St Ives, Tate Gallery or more recently East Beach Cafe, in Littlehampton. These building don't provide eye sores in fact they act as catalysts for community interaction and the added benefit of attracting visitors....and not just when the sun shines!!!!! The obsession with planning authorities trying to replicate and respect historic architecture seems to only result in buildings that are neither progressive or represent their context. In fact they tend to end up being a mismatch of details many examples of which can be seen in Swanage's recent flat developments.


My issue with Swanage is there are very few places where you can sit and enjoy the view and the Mowlem presents a great opportunity for that, and I have nothing against the Mowlem but a replica East End pub and a dated restaurant that serves Sunday lunch does not inspire me as a resident so why should it inspire visitors? In addition the arts are really strong in the Purbecks so why not support them by proving a decent arts centre as part of a redevelopment. Will it ever happen? I don't know, but I hope that it sows a seed of thought in peoples heads that matter and that we can begin to develop Swanage in a sustainable way. A way that, supports young families and business's to stay in Swanage and does not purely cater for the day trippers and pensioner market that although provides a key element of Swanage it can not define it.

1/10/07 4:46 pm
Anonymous said...

Laurence Bowen should be the mayor of this town ! Somebody who has a rational view of what this town should be like ...bravo

1/10/07 5:07 pm
Anonymous said...

Why waste him as the mayor?

2/10/07 7:44 pm
Anonymous said...

Laurence Bowen for Mayor seconded

10/10/07 12:31 pm
Anonymous said...

Laurence J Bowen would make a really great Mayor. He would look especially good with that Mayoral golden necklace

14/10/07 4:50 pm
lifeboatjohn said...

I agree with your vision Laurence. The Mowlem ought to be the landmark building in Swanage and should be the most desireable place to sit and eat or drink. There is huge potential there but it is wasted. How could this be driven further forwards?

22/10/07 12:56 pm
The Postman said...

Talk to the trustees, perhaps?

22/10/07 1:07 pm
k nunneley said...

Though I am wading in to the Mowlem debate rather late, I was surprised and delighted to come across so many strong opinions. I am a Wareham resident studying for a Masters in Cultural Industries Management, and have chosen the Mowlem as the subject of my Fundraising Plan assignment. I must admit to loving the building, decrepit though it now is, and although I greatly admire Laurence's scheme I do feel that to adopt this kind of radical makeover would be to throw the baby out with the bath water. The Mowlem is a great example of British Brutalist architecture and, love it or hate it, I do think there is argument for listing it and renovating accordingly. As for who would pay for it, in my view, the Mowlem as an organisation is stuck in what is known as 'mission drift'. In other words, to stay afloat the charity is having to engage in commercial activities that go against its mission i.e to 'provide further education and improve the conditions of life for Swanage residents'. Currently the Mowlem makes it's community room available to the Mowlem Elders Circle several mornings a week, but as far as I can tell this is the only 'charitable' activity it conducts. According to my research this is probably the reason why their various funding applications haven't succeeded, and will go on not succeeding until they can show that the Mowlem genuinely benefits the Swanage community. I must stress that It's clear that the Mowlem staff do a fantastic job under difficult circumstances. Brian Travers already does the job of several people, and to expect him to be a Marketing and Development expert of the kind that arts organisations employ nowadays is pretty unfair; and the trustees are obviously an able and dedicated group. I asked Brian if he would be involved in the preparation of the Fundraising Plan but didn't hear back from him, and have had to press on regardless. I think the Mowlem has huge potential, and this plan will hopefully demonstrate how Brian and the trustees could access some major and much needed funding that would help the Mowlem really come into its own. I will, of course, make the Fundraising Plan available to Brian and anyone else who would like a copy (when it's finished, mid Feb '08). Sorry for the huge number of words, am new to this blogging lark...

2/2/08 6:44 pm

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)