2011 Streak 102/365:Walking - 3 miles, time - 1hr , Weather - Sunny but with cool wind
I will make no great claims for the Civic Centre as a building. It is no masterpiece but at the same time it is not a disaster. I it is quite well proportioned and I rather like the sparing use of blue. The only real problem with the facade is griminess caused by weathering. it may not be lovely but it is OK.
It was designed in the mid 60s by Clifford Culpin & Partners along with the heath centre and Pavillion and the judgement of Pevsner was:
The buildings as a group are disappointing; too far away from the shops, too isolated by wind-swept open space in front, while behind car parks separate them from the river.
Since that has been written the Pavillion (which was a multi-purpose arts venue) has been demolished and its site is now a grassy patch. The Civic Centre is even more isolated.
All the more reason to treat it with some sensitivity so that it looks as good as is possible. But that is not to be. Firstly they made a mess of the front door and disabled access; and now they have decided that their need for corporate branding trumps everything else.
The Dacorum green and white is rubbish against the blue in the building and a big tin sign is completely at odds with the rest of the building. Before the name was picked out with plain blue letters fixed directly onto the wall, which was in keeping with the look of the building and much more suitable.
The reason I worry about things like this is that we rely on the council's planning department to oversea the development of the town and impose some sort of standard. But if they are not to good with their own building what hope is there for the rest?
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