During the first meetings in 2025 we’ve covered some interesting subjects, including a presentation on Japanese castles and sacred buildings (Val Aitken). This reminded us that our Western European traditions represent only one approach to architectural philosophy and symbolism, and encourages us to deepen our understanding of our local buildings.
Himeji Castle, Hyogo Prefecture
The architecture of the South African Cape (Nicky Westwood) demonstrates not only a dependence on European design precedents, but also indicates a very direct link to Jersey in the work of local architect Roy Blampied (d 1946), notably in his design for the West Park Pavilion in the Cape Dutch style. He was an important figure who deserves more attention.
Groot Constantia Manor House, Cape Town & West Park Pavilion
We’re developing a very useful relationship with the Historic Buildings team at Jersey Heritage, especially with Charlotte Bailey who undertakes research into buildings which are being considered for listing. It’s useful for us to have an insight into this process, and the collective knowledge of Section members enables us to make an informed contribution to this process. Recent discussions illustrate the challenges that can arise in the dating of buildings where the physical and documentary evidence seem to point to different conclusions, which adds considerably to the interest of this kind of research. An example of this is a well-known landmark structure built in granite and brick in Stopford Road, pictured here, which was possibly built as a livery stable at the end of the 19th century.
We will be making suggestions about a number of buildings that we consider suitable for listing. We hope to have a presentation soon by Susan Freebrey, also from Jersey Heritage, on the workings of the Historic Environment Record (HER) which is an important public resource.
On the Adolphus Curry front, good progress is being made by an enthusiastic group chaired by Paul Harding whose objective is to produce an interactive walking guide to Curry’s buildings in St Helier. Meanwhile, as a result of gaining access to architectural drawings in the Le Gallais archive, for which we are most grateful, an additional building on Bath Street can now be confidently attributed to Curry. The drawings reveal that the corner building on Bath Street and Hilgrove street was substantially remodelled by Curry in 1910 to enable this part of Bath Street to be widened. This would have been one of Curry’s last projects as he died at the end of this year.
11,13 Bath Street
One of the fascinating things about old town centres is the stimulation that they provide, not only in the wealth of activities, services and people that are concentrated in these areas, but also in the visual complexity of the buildings and spaces. We are fortunate that the centre of St Helier has a large number of fine historic buildings, though it also has an increasing number of new developments of variable quality.
In a recent Architecture Section evening walk we explored the theme of architectural quality and how the basis of a judgment of what is ‘good’ and bad’ architecture has changed fundamentally over the last hundred years. Significant influences here are a revolution in the way buildings are constructed and the materials used, and also the abandonment of traditional styles of architecture and embellishment in favour of a much simpler treatment. During our walk we focused on a generic type of building – offices – on the route from The Parade to the Esplanade and its new International Finance Centre. Individual first impressions on each building were sought from the members of our group (three of whom are architects), with some fascinating results. Here are some thoughts on our main stopping points:
The Town Hall, built in 1872 and designed by local architects Philippe Le Sueur and Philippe Bree is clearly a high-status building. It exterior design reflects the expectations of the period – at that time a significant building had to be in a recognised style (in this case French Renaissance). Every part of the composition, detail and decoration of the building would have been based on rules, precedents and symbolism evolved over two millennia. The granite walls at ground floor level give an impression of robustness and permanence, while the upper floor, with its exuberant plaster decoration, creates a rather joyful impression. This approach to architectural design and ornamentation had all but disappeared by the end of the 1930s.
Town Hall, York Street and Seale Street
The Government Offices in the Parade, illustrated here, developed by Dandara and opened earlier this year at a reported cost of £91m. As would be expected, this is world apart from the Town Hall in terms of architectural expression. This is a large building with a commanding and somewhat austere exterior, but the scale has been reduced by the use of different materials and by the rhythms of the fenestration on the two lower floors, while the copper roof covering provides a satisfying ‘cap’ to the composition. The grid-like subdivision of the stone-coloured façade lends the building an almost traditional air. This building, like those that follow, all reach the highest standards of sustainable design and construction.
Government Offices, seen from The Parade.
This office building at 37 Esplanade, on the site of the Swansons Hotel, was designed by Axis Mason Architects and completed in 2017.
37 Esplanade from the south. (Courtesy Axis Mason Architects)
Axis Mason Architects and completed in 2017. It is an uncompromisingly modern treatment with the main south-facing façade defined by a brise-soleil screen of glass fins over five storeys, all overhanging the recessed ground floor and entrance. The side elevation along Payn Street has a serrated profile which provides views to the south. The use of reflective materials such as glass and polished marble along the elevations to Payn Street, which is narrow, brings reflected daylight into the street which creates changing patterns throughout the day.
Building IFC6 is the third to be erected in Jersey’s International Finance Centre. IFC6 is a very sophisticated design with meticulous attention to paid to detail, as can be seen in this image of part of the façade at ground level. Although the design language and materials used here are entirely different from the building we started with – the Town Hall – the intention is the same, to produce a building that is pleasing on the eye and radiates an impression of exceptionally high quality. This, seen with its two companion buildings, gives an impression of the impressive public spaces that are being created.
Building IFC6 from the south & Façade and paving details
Anyone with opinions on any of these building, or the commentary, please let me know. Better still, why not join us at a Section meeting.
Architecture Chair – Stuart Fell
For more information about the Section please email, hello@societe.je
