Arts Tower
Encyclopedia
The Arts Tower is a building at 12 Bolsover Street in Sheffield
, England
belonging to the University of Sheffield
and opened in 1966. English Heritage
has called it "the most elegant university tower block in Britain of its period. At 255 feet (78 m) tall it is the second tallest building in the city, after the 101 m, St Pauls Tower on Arundel Gate, which was topped out in 2009 It is also the tallest university building in the UK
.
Designed by architects Gollins, Melvin, Ward & Partners
, construction of the tower started in 1961 and lasted four years. Contrary to popular belief, there is no documentary evidence to suggest that the design was directly inspired by the similar, but much larger, Seagram Building
in New York City
, similarly to the popularly believed, though unsubstantiated, theory regarding the Co-operative Insurance Tower or CIS Tower in Manchester
, England
, although the similarity of aesthetics between the three buildings is undeniable. When asked about the possible inspiration of Mies van der Rohe's buildings in America
, GMW
project architect Robert Smith explained instead that the form of the building came from the surrounding context.
Entry to the building was originally made by a wide 'bridge' between fountains over a shallow pool area in front of the building. This pool was eventually drained and covered over when it was found that strong down drafts of wind hitting the building on gusty days caused the fountain to soak people entering and exiting the building. An alternative design for a Rotunda
-style cylindrical building was thrown out when suitable curved furnishings were costed.
The building was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother
in June 1966; it has 20 stories and a mezzanine
level above ground. These house the Departments of Landscape
, Modern Languages, Philosophy
, Biblical Studies
, and Architecture
as well as the library administration. As its name suggests, the building originally housed all the University's arts departments, which had far fewer students in the 1960s. Noticeboards for long rehoused departments such as History and Social Science survive in the basement foyer area. There are also two floors below ground level that house nine lecture theatres. The building contains a cafe
in the basement. It has a student computer room on the 12th floor, and a self-service language teaching centre on the second. Circulation is through two ordinary lifts and a paternoster lift
, at 38 cars the largest of the few surviving in the UK.
A bridge at the mezzanine level links the tower to the university's main Library at Western Bank. This building was also designed by Gollins, Melvin, Ward & Partners—the two buildings are intended to be viewed together. The Arts Tower and Library are Grade II* listed buildings.
The buildings can be visited during office hours, although visitors may have to sign a register and show identification.
In December 2007, the University announced plans for a major refurbishment of the Arts Tower. The refurbishment will see a major re-organisation of the building's interior, as well as a new façade, and will coincide with the move of the Modern Language departments to the former Jessop Hospital site. The building was vacated in April 2009, with refurbishment taking approximately two years to complete. The building, due to be finished for the beginning of the 2011 academic year, will be used for teaching with the top nine floors for the architecture department.
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
belonging to the University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
and opened in 1966. English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
has called it "the most elegant university tower block in Britain of its period. At 255 feet (78 m) tall it is the second tallest building in the city, after the 101 m, St Pauls Tower on Arundel Gate, which was topped out in 2009 It is also the tallest university building in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Designed by architects Gollins, Melvin, Ward & Partners
GMW Architects
GMW Architects are an architectural practice based in the United Kingdom.-History:The practice was established in 1947 by Frank Gollins , James Melvin , and Edmund Ward and operated as Gollins Melvin Ward...
, construction of the tower started in 1961 and lasted four years. Contrary to popular belief, there is no documentary evidence to suggest that the design was directly inspired by the similar, but much larger, Seagram Building
Seagram Building
The Seagram Building is a skyscraper, located at 375 Park Avenue, between 52nd Street and 53rd Street in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, in collaboration with Philip Johnson. Severud Associates were the structural engineering consultants. The building...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, similarly to the popularly believed, though unsubstantiated, theory regarding the Co-operative Insurance Tower or CIS Tower in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, although the similarity of aesthetics between the three buildings is undeniable. When asked about the possible inspiration of Mies van der Rohe's buildings in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, GMW
GMW Architects
GMW Architects are an architectural practice based in the United Kingdom.-History:The practice was established in 1947 by Frank Gollins , James Melvin , and Edmund Ward and operated as Gollins Melvin Ward...
project architect Robert Smith explained instead that the form of the building came from the surrounding context.
Entry to the building was originally made by a wide 'bridge' between fountains over a shallow pool area in front of the building. This pool was eventually drained and covered over when it was found that strong down drafts of wind hitting the building on gusty days caused the fountain to soak people entering and exiting the building. An alternative design for a Rotunda
Rotunda (Birmingham)
The Rotunda is an iconic, cylindrical highrise building in Birmingham, England. The Grade II listed building is tall and was completed in 1965. It was refurbished between 2004 and 2008 by Urban Splash with Glenn Howells who turned it into a residential building with serviced apartments on 19th and...
-style cylindrical building was thrown out when suitable curved furnishings were costed.
The building was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was the queen consort of King George VI from 1936 until her husband's death in 1952, after which she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, to avoid confusion with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II...
in June 1966; it has 20 stories and a mezzanine
Mezzanine (architecture)
In architecture, a mezzanine or entresol is an intermediate floor between main floors of a building, and therefore typically not counted among the overall floors of a building. Often, a mezzanine is low-ceilinged and projects in the form of a balcony. The term is also used for the lowest balcony in...
level above ground. These house the Departments of Landscape
Landscape
Landscape comprises the visible features of an area of land, including the physical elements of landforms such as mountains, hills, water bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds and the sea, living elements of land cover including indigenous vegetation, human elements including different forms of...
, Modern Languages, Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, Biblical Studies
Biblical studies
Biblical studies is the academic study of the Judeo-Christian Bible and related texts. For Christianity, the Bible traditionally comprises the New Testament and Old Testament, which together are sometimes called the "Scriptures." Judaism recognizes as scripture only the Hebrew Bible, also known as...
, and Architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
as well as the library administration. As its name suggests, the building originally housed all the University's arts departments, which had far fewer students in the 1960s. Noticeboards for long rehoused departments such as History and Social Science survive in the basement foyer area. There are also two floors below ground level that house nine lecture theatres. The building contains a cafe
Café
A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches...
in the basement. It has a student computer room on the 12th floor, and a self-service language teaching centre on the second. Circulation is through two ordinary lifts and a paternoster lift
Paternoster
A paternoster or paternoster lift is a passenger elevator which consists of a chain of open compartments that move slowly in a loop up and down inside a building without stopping. Passengers can step on or off at any floor they like...
, at 38 cars the largest of the few surviving in the UK.
A bridge at the mezzanine level links the tower to the university's main Library at Western Bank. This building was also designed by Gollins, Melvin, Ward & Partners—the two buildings are intended to be viewed together. The Arts Tower and Library are Grade II* listed buildings.
The buildings can be visited during office hours, although visitors may have to sign a register and show identification.
In December 2007, the University announced plans for a major refurbishment of the Arts Tower. The refurbishment will see a major re-organisation of the building's interior, as well as a new façade, and will coincide with the move of the Modern Language departments to the former Jessop Hospital site. The building was vacated in April 2009, with refurbishment taking approximately two years to complete. The building, due to be finished for the beginning of the 2011 academic year, will be used for teaching with the top nine floors for the architecture department.