Portsmouth's Civic Offices are at risk of demolition following the council’s recent decision to apply for a Certificate of Immunity from listing. Designed by notable architects Lionel Brett, Harry Teggin, and David Taylor, the building embodies significant architectural and civic heritage value. However, with concerns over energy inefficiency and dwindling occupancy post-Covid, the council is exploring redevelopment options.
The Twentieth Century Society's recent efforts to list the Civic Offices were unsuccessful, and Historic England, while acknowledging the building's architectural merit, deemed it insufficient for listing. This raises questions about Portsmouth’s commitment to its architectural heritage and sustainability, especially when options like retrofitting have been overlooked. Following the city’s unsuccessful Levelling Up Fund (LUF) bid, Historic England made clear recommendations to reuse existing building stock instead of demolition to meet sustainability goals and reduce embodied carbon.
Demolishing such a significant building would not only erase a piece of post-war architectural history but also result in a wasteful loss of embodied carbon. This is particularly concerning given the emphasis on sustainable development in modern architectural practice. Retrofitting, as highlighted in the report, could bring the building up to modern energy efficiency standards, while retaining its heritage value.
In fact, University of Portsmouth architecture students recunsplash
ently undertook a project focused on how the Civic Offices could be repurposed, providing a powerful example of how reimagining existing buildings can enrich a city's cultural and architectural fabric. This aligns with the widespread local support for reuse, with many arguing that retrofitting is not only a more sustainable option but also a way to preserve the city’s unique post-war heritage.
As an organisation committed to heritage and sustainability, we at SCT advocate for the reuse of buildings where possible, as demolition contributes to significant environmental waste. We also support initiatives like ACAN’s Demolition Map, which highlights wasteful demolitions across the UK and advocates for reuse in line with our carbon reduction targets.
By retaining and retrofitting buildings like the Portsmouth Civic Offices, we can preserve the city's architectural legacy while meeting modern environmental standards—striking the perfect balance between progress and preservation. Demolition may seem like the quickest option, but in the long run, it compromises both the city’s heritage and its environmental commitments.
Comments