How concrete and steel transformed our region

THE reign of concrete and steel in reshaping places like Newcastle and Gateshead will be explored in an event which closes a nine-month project that examined the transformation.

- TONY HENDERSON

Concrete Dreams opened at the Farrell Centre at Newcastle University last September, focussing on projects like the Central Motorway, and the Newcastle Civic Centre, as well as the everyday world of new schools, libraries and housing that were part of the radical changes across Tyneside in the 1960s and 1970s.

Featuring exhibitions, installations, events and an education programme, the project has examined the ideals and aspirations behind the lasting impact of Modernism which splits opinions on cities like Newcastle today.

Modernism closely linked design to the function of buildings and structures, dictated a lack of ornament and “unnecessary” detail, the use of reinforced concrete and steel, components positioned at 90-degrees to each other and an emphasis on horizontal and vertical lines often with flat roofs, ribbon windows open plan floors and white or cream frontages.

Tomorrow, Newcastle will host a free talk on The Modernist City in the 21st Century