The new Southampton City gateway has failed its building inspection

[mightysaints]

Does anyone have any info on this, heard that the building has not put in fire escapes through the floors and building control have refused permission to use the building from the 1st floor up. If this is true then someone has made an almighty cock up.

[Jonnyboy]

Is that the new multicoloured one at the start of Thomas Lewis way?

[Whitey Grandad]

The design and layout must have been approved at an early stage and there are regular inspections. It would need an,almighty balls up but not impossible.

[mightysaints]

Yep looks like a fag butt

[B Rabbit]

Is that the new multicoloured one at the start of Thomas Lewis way?

 

It is absolutely the worst building I have ever seen. It is offensive and utter garbage and I can't believe the planners let it through. It's just utter balls!

Edited 4 October, 2014 by B Rabbit

[pap]

 

It is absolutely the worst building I have ever seen. It is offensive and utter garbage and I can't believe the planners let it through. It's just utter balls!

 

I take it you don't stray too far from your warren, B Rabbit.

 

 

That's a nursery school.

[Lets B Avenue]

The Doctors like the new Surgery. However, that is on the ground floor.

[B Rabbit]

I take it you don't stray too far from your warren, B Rabbit.

 

 

That's a nursery school.

i am lost and confused... This has whooshed right over my head

[B Rabbit]

I have re read....probably should have done that before replying first time round!

[hypochondriac]

i am lost and confused... This has whooshed right over my head

 

He is saying that uglier buildings exist in Liverpool.

[Goatboy]

It could have been a landmark building. Instead it is a f*cking hideous monstrosity.

[Patrick Bateman]

 

It is absolutely the worst building I have ever seen. It is offensive and utter garbage and I can't believe the planners let it through. It's just utter balls!

 

It is REALLY grim, but it can't be as bad as the Woolwich Tesco, surely?

 

http://www.london24.com/polopoly_fs/1.3755672!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_490/image.jpg

[Sour Mash]

Vile looking building, who decided it'd be a good addition to city? Combination of the Uni and the Council? Such a poor choice from them.

 

The new bloke between the Civic Centre and Central Station isn't that much better either.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

Leaving to one side this planning issue for the moment, not for the first time I find myself in total disagreement with the majority on here because to my eye this structure looks like a outstanding example of contemporary architecture. Okay some of the guttering looks rather heavy-handed and the side blocks attached the tower could be accused of being a tad uninspiring I suppose, but their understated simplicity is almost certainly deliberate.

 

The central tower itself provides the focus for the complex and it is surely a stunningly good design. I love its proportions and the unusual oval shape. The faceted and contrasting surface textures applied also raise the building above the ordinary. Above all the artfully chosen colour palette the architect has chosen is both bold and highly successful I think. Do you lot really want yet another dull 'glass' covered tower?

 

No, far from being some 'blot' on the cityscape of Southampton, methinks the 'Gateway' should be seen as a asset to any forward looking modern city. I can only wish that my home town had a building half as good as this.

 

 

Edited 1 October, 2014 by CHAPEL END CHARLIE

[benjii]

It's rubbish.

 

It's gormless, uninspiring, turgid and facile.

 

If you like this, you're a spanner.

[Bearsy]

wow what a gr8 looking building! i hope it don't burn down!

[SW5 SAINT]

Leaving to one side this planning issue for the moment, not for the first time I find myself in total disagreement with the majority on here because to my eye this structure looks like a outstanding example of contemporary architecture. Okay some of the guttering looks rather heavy-handed and the side blocks attached the tower could be accused of being a tad uninspiring I suppose, but their understated simplicity is almost certainly deliberate.

 

The central tower itself provides the focus for the complex and it is surely a stunningly good design. I love its proportions and the unusual oval shape. The faceted and contrasting surface textures applied also raise the building above the ordinary. Above all the artfully chosen colour palette the architect has chosen is both bold and highly successful I think. Do you lot really want yet another dull 'glass' covered tower?

 

No, far from being some 'blot' on the cityscape of Southampton, methinks the 'Gateway' should be seen as a asset to any forward looking modern city. I can only wish that my home town had a building half as good as this.

 

 

 

I agree it's not that bad. Living in London and seldom visiting Southampton these days, I see far worse up here. True it does look like an upturned cigarette butt!

[Patrick Bateman]

Leaving to one side this planning issue for the moment, not for the first time I find myself in total disagreement with the majority on here because to my eye this structure looks like a outstanding example of contemporary architecture. Okay some of the guttering looks rather heavy-handed and the side blocks attached the tower could be accused of being a tad uninspiring I suppose, but their understated simplicity is almost certainly deliberate.

 

The central tower itself provides the focus for the complex and it is surely a stunningly good design. I love its proportions and the unusual oval shape. The faceted and contrasting surface textures applied also raise the building above the ordinary. Above all the artfully chosen colour palette the architect has chosen is both bold and highly successful I think. Do you lot really want yet another dull 'glass' covered tower?

 

No, far from being some 'blot' on the cityscape of Southampton, methinks the 'Gateway' should be seen as a asset to any forward looking modern city. I can only wish that my home town had a building half as good as this.

 

 

 

Did you design it?

 

It is appalling. It is uninspiring, looks drab and already looks dated. It's like the fad with throwing wood up on new houses, it'll weather very quickly.

 

If they wanted to do something contemporary rather than glass (although glass does look great), then why not a brick built tower? Battersea Power Station style - that still looks amazing and red brick can offer a large building a huge amount of character.

 

Like this in Kingston; http://www.architecturelist.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/1539tothemanorborn_pic3.jpg

[Goatboy]

Did you design it?

 

It is appalling. It is uninspiring, looks drab and already looks dated. It's like the fad with throwing wood up on new houses, it'll weather very quickly.

 

If they wanted to do something contemporary rather than glass (although glass does look great), then why not a brick built tower? Battersea Power Station style - that still looks amazing and red brick can offer a large building a huge amount of character.

 

Like this in Kingston; http://www.architecturelist.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/1539tothemanorborn_pic3.jpg

 

Agree about it already looking dated. It is two boxes and a cylinder. Brilliant. The aspect shown by CEC above is visible only from the inside of the site. From the road it looks hideous. So far CEC, you are the only person I have heard say that they like it. As for the 'artfully chosen colour palette'? How often is the colour of the sky as above? Photoshop me reckons. In the flesh it is bland seventies tripe. That sounds like a Farrow and Ball colour to be fair.

[aintforever]

Leaving to one side this planning issue for the moment, not for the first time I find myself in total disagreement with the majority on here because to my eye this structure looks like a outstanding example of contemporary architecture. Okay some of the guttering looks rather heavy-handed and the side blocks attached the tower could be accused of being a tad uninspiring I suppose, but their understated simplicity is almost certainly deliberate.

 

The central tower itself provides the focus for the complex and it is surely a stunningly good design. I love its proportions and the unusual oval shape. The faceted and contrasting surface textures applied also raise the building above the ordinary. Above all the artfully chosen colour palette the architect has chosen is both bold and highly successful I think. Do you lot really want yet another dull 'glass' covered tower?

 

No, far from being some 'blot' on the cityscape of Southampton, methinks the 'Gateway' should be seen as a asset to any forward looking modern city. I can only wish that my home town had a building half as good as this.

 

 

 

That looks awful. A couple of square tower blocks with an upturned cigarette butt f*cked in between.

[Hatch]

the colour scheme makes it look a million times worse than it actually is.

[OldNick]

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=KfsaY8psLOnUHM&tbnid=6O79MHOtrUzKPM:&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnecronomania.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fportsmouths-carbuncle-tricorn-tragedy.html&ei=YOcrVJTSMMLaOPm5gaAI&bvm=bv.76477589,d.ZWU&psig=AFQjCNG2ReRx4va0CTelwacnepJKJiavoA&ust=1412249802463104

Modernism, the blots on the landscape.

[igsey]

I think it looks good, especially in the sunlight, but then I am about half a century younger than most of you dinosaurs

 

Interesting to know why it's not opened yet though, I looked on the uni website and it definitely said it would be open for students this year but was confused why I never saw any lights on inside it. Guess that explains it!

[solentstars]

I think it looks good but then I,m not a old fuddy duddy,would like to see more buildings with modern designs rather than the uniform crap we had since the war.

[Goatboy]

I don't think it looks 'modern' at all. Just plain dull.

[Skeezo]

Brutalist with a hint of Lego.

[mack rill]

Bloo print off of sommerstown,

[Whitey Grandad]

Leaving to one side this planning issue for the moment, not for the first time I find myself in total disagreement with the majority on here because to my eye this structure looks like a outstanding example of contemporary architecture. Okay some of the guttering looks rather heavy-handed and the side blocks attached the tower could be accused of being a tad uninspiring I suppose, but their understated simplicity is almost certainly deliberate.

 

The central tower itself provides the focus for the complex and it is surely a stunningly good design. I love its proportions and the unusual oval shape. The faceted and contrasting surface textures applied also raise the building above the ordinary. Above all the artfully chosen colour palette the architect has chosen is both bold and highly successful I think. Do you lot really want yet another dull 'glass' covered tower?

 

No, far from being some 'blot' on the cityscape of Southampton, methinks the 'Gateway' should be seen as a asset to any forward looking modern city. I can only wish that my home town had a building half as good as this.

 

 

 

Self-indulgent narcissistic pile of trash. It's going to look awful in a few years. In fact it looks awful now.

[Patrick Bateman]

Self-indulgent narcissistic pile of trash. It's going to look awful in a few years. In fact it looks awful now.

 

[SW5 SAINT]

I agree it's not that bad. Living in London and seldom visiting Southampton these days, I see far worse up here. True it does look like an upturned cigarette butt!

 

Having visited brilliant maritime museums in such places as Oslo, Hamburg, Amsterdam and I hate to say it Liverpool and Glasgow too, considering Southampton's Ocean Liner heritage its just a shame that this is the best they can do. Southampton really does need something to bring the tourist flocking in much the same way as Portsmouth does. The maritime heritage is just as strong in Southampton as Portsmouth, and not just the dam Titanic.

[B Rabbit]

Leaving to one side this planning issue for the moment, not for the first time I find myself in total disagreement with the majority on here because to my eye this structure looks like a outstanding example of contemporary architecture. Okay some of the guttering looks rather heavy-handed and the side blocks attached the tower could be accused of being a tad uninspiring I suppose, but their understated simplicity is almost certainly deliberate.

 

The central tower itself provides the focus for the complex and it is surely a stunningly good design. I love its proportions and the unusual oval shape. The faceted and contrasting surface textures applied also raise the building above the ordinary. Above all the artfully chosen colour palette the architect has chosen is both bold and highly successful I think. Do you lot really want yet another dull 'glass' covered tower?

 

No, far from being some 'blot' on the cityscape of Southampton, methinks the 'Gateway' should be seen as a asset to any forward looking modern city. I can only wish that my home town had a building half as good as this.

This 'thing' is anything but an outstanding example of a contemporary piece of architecture...it is the complete opposite...it's not even a piece Of architecture...it's a building. A value engineered, ugly as f**k one.

 

Architecture is about clarity and strength of form and the language in the building is so confusing, Coupled with the absolutely atrocious colour scheme. (There is an unwritten rule of 3 materials Tia pallet ... I can see 6 in that photo alone!)

 

The idea of a vista tower on the corner addressing the road is absolutely fine but the cladding and proportions are absolutely shot to sh*t...and if you look from the other end stepping up, it looks like they've stuck some f**king astro turf on the external wall which was probably a green living wall at one point.

 

if the material choice was better it 'probably' wouldn't be as offensive as it is...but it's a fad building and has no depth to it whatsoever... Completely commercially driven (by Bouygues / Warings) and is a total eye sore which looks cheap now and will look worse in 10 years. I'll put money on the render looking like someone has wiped their ar5e on it in a couple of years.

 

Just yuck.

 

That aside....I can't believe anyone wouldn't design in the correct number of escape stairs...but then..some bell end thought this building looked nice so it doesnt surprise me that the same moron would forget a stair.... Or maybe it got value engineered out as it may have cost some money to the developer... In the same way that doing a well considered / proportioned building would have cost some money too.

[Jonnyboy]

Did you design it?

 

It is appalling. It is uninspiring, looks drab and already looks dated. It's like the fad with throwing wood up on new houses, it'll weather very quickly.

 

If they wanted to do something contemporary rather than glass (although glass does look great), then why not a brick built tower? Battersea Power Station style - that still looks amazing and red brick can offer a large building a huge amount of character.

 

Like this in Kingston; http://www.architecturelist.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/1539tothemanorborn_pic3.jpg

 

It's a hell of a lot better than what was there before.

 

How do you know it will weather badly? What's it made of?

[Lets B Avenue]

Leaving to one side this planning issue for the moment, not for the first time I find myself in total disagreement with the majority on here because to my eye this structure looks like a outstanding example of contemporary architecture. Okay some of the guttering looks rather heavy-handed and the side blocks attached the tower could be accused of being a tad uninspiring I suppose, but their understated simplicity is almost certainly deliberate.

 

The central tower itself provides the focus for the complex and it is surely a stunningly good design. I love its proportions and the unusual oval shape. The faceted and contrasting surface textures applied also raise the building above the ordinary. Above all the artfully chosen colour palette the architect has chosen is both bold and highly successful I think. Do you lot really want yet another dull 'glass' covered tower?

 

No, far from being some 'blot' on the cityscape of Southampton, methinks the 'Gateway' should be seen as a asset to any forward looking modern city. I can only wish that my home town had a building half as good as this.

This 'thing' is anything but an outstanding example of a contemporary piece of architecture...it is the complete opposite...it's not even a piece Of architecture...it's a building. A value engineered, ugly as f**k one.

 

Architecture is about clarity and strength of form and the language in the building is so confusing, Coupled with the absolutely atrocious colour scheme. (There is an unwritten rule of 3 materials Tia pallet ... I can see 6 in that photo alone!)

 

The idea of a vista tower on the corner addressing the road is absolutely fine but the cladding and proportions are absolutely shot to sh*t...and if you look from the other end stepping up, it looks like they've stuck some f**king astro turf on the external wall which was probably a green living wall at one point.

 

if the material choice was better it 'probably' wouldn't be as offensive as it is...but it's a fad building and has no depth to it whatsoever... Completely commercially driven (by Bouygues / Warings) and is a total eye sore which looks cheap now and will look worse in 10 years. I'll put money on the render looking like someone has wiped their ar5e on it in a couple of years.

 

Just yuck.

 

That aside....I can't believe anyone wouldn't design in the correct number of escape stairs...but then..some bell end thought this building looked nice so it doesnt surprise me that the same moron would forget a stair.... Or maybe it got value engineered out as it may have cost some money to the developer... In the same way that doing a well considered / proportioned building would have cost some money too.

 

Having been born and bred in Swaythling. Played on that waste ground as a kid and now drive past it twice a day, I was going to say it looks sh ite.

 

But THIS will do .

 

Thanks Rabbit

[Whitey Grandad]

It's a hell of a lot better than what was there before.

 

How do you know it will weather badly? What's it made of?

 

Unless it's vitreous enamel I would say it's almost guaranteed to fade in UV light.

[Goatboy]

Leaving to one side this planning issue for the moment, not for the first time I find myself in total disagreement with the majority on here because to my eye this structure looks like a outstanding example of contemporary architecture. Okay some of the guttering looks rather heavy-handed and the side blocks attached the tower could be accused of being a tad uninspiring I suppose, but their understated simplicity is almost certainly deliberate.

 

The central tower itself provides the focus for the complex and it is surely a stunningly good design. I love its proportions and the unusual oval shape. The faceted and contrasting surface textures applied also raise the building above the ordinary. Above all the artfully chosen colour palette the architect has chosen is both bold and highly successful I think. Do you lot really want yet another dull 'glass' covered tower?

 

No, far from being some 'blot' on the cityscape of Southampton, methinks the 'Gateway' should be seen as a asset to any forward looking modern city. I can only wish that my home town had a building half as good as this.

This 'thing' is anything but an outstanding example of a contemporary piece of architecture...it is the complete opposite...it's not even a piece Of architecture...it's a building. A value engineered, ugly as f**k one.

 

Architecture is about clarity and strength of form and the language in the building is so confusing, Coupled with the absolutely atrocious colour scheme. (There is an unwritten rule of 3 materials Tia pallet ... I can see 6 in that photo alone!)

 

The idea of a vista tower on the corner addressing the road is absolutely fine but the cladding and proportions are absolutely shot to sh*t...and if you look from the other end stepping up, it looks like they've stuck some f**king astro turf on the external wall which was probably a green living wall at one point.

 

if the material choice was better it 'probably' wouldn't be as offensive as it is...but it's a fad building and has no depth to it whatsoever... Completely commercially driven (by Bouygues / Warings) and is a total eye sore which looks cheap now and will look worse in 10 years. I'll put money on the render looking like someone has wiped their ar5e on it in a couple of years.

 

Just yuck.

 

That aside....I can't believe anyone wouldn't design in the correct number of escape stairs...but then..some bell end thought this building looked nice so it doesnt surprise me that the same moron would forget a stair.... Or maybe it got value engineered out as it may have cost some money to the developer... In the same way that doing a well considered / proportioned building would have cost some money too.

 

*LIKE*

[teamsaint]

Since there seem to be one or two people on here who actually know about the subject, (which I don't) Ithought I would throw this into the discussion.

A scottish category A building that must have been extraordinary in its hey day, and now......

 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Peter's_Seminary,_Cardross

 

No real connection with Southampton, obviously. I imagine it will need new fire escapes if it ever gets used again.

[Dr Who?]

What the **** is that! Ha ha ha

[B Rabbit]

 

Thanks Rabbit

 

:o

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

Well beauty is indeed 'in the eye of the beholder' as they say, and my 'eye' is showing me a attractive modern building that will stand the test of time I think.

 

Needless to say other opinions are available ... if only some on here could express those opinions without foaming at the mouth while they do so this forum might yet become a more civil and rather less antagonistic place to visit.

 

That'll be the day.

[Patrick Bateman]

Since there seem to be one or two people on here who actually know about the subject, (which I don't) Ithought I would throw this into the discussion.

A scottish category A building that must have been extraordinary in its hey day, and now......

 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Peter's_Seminary,_Cardross

 

No real connection with Southampton, obviously. I imagine it will need new fire escapes if it ever gets used again.

 

I like that, brutal!

 

It's also why I absolutely love Rowley Way; http://media.rightmove.co.uk/4k/3344/33342503/3344_459219A_IMG_00_0001.JPG

[Jonnyboy]

Unless it's vitreous enamel I would say it's almost guaranteed to fade in UV light.

 

So 99.9% of buildings will weather?

 

(Just thought, the new Morrisons that opened on the ground floor won't be making much money then)

[Goatboy]

Well beauty is indeed 'in the eye of the beholder' as they say, and my 'eye' is showing me a attractive modern building that will stand the test of time I think.

 

Needless to say other opinions are available ... if only some on here could express those opinions without foaming at the mouth while they do so this forum might yet become a more civil and rather less antagonistic place to visit.

 

That'll be the day.

 

[B Rabbit]

Well beauty is indeed 'in the eye of the beholder' as they say, and my 'eye' is showing me a attractive modern building that will stand the test of time I think.

 

Needless to say other opinions are available ... if only some on here could express those opinions without foaming at the mouth while they do so this forum might yet become a more civil and rather less antagonistic place to visit.

 

That'll be the day.

 

 

Some if us have educated, informed, professional opinions.... Others just have opinions

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

Some if us have educated, informed, professional opinions.... Others just have opinions

 

This is good to hear.

 

Where did you obtain your 'informed and professional' opinion from by the way?

[suewhistle]

What's itb meant to be, by the way? Is it student accommodation, as if it is that explains a lot!

[Whitey Grandad]

So 99.9% of buildings will weather?

 

(Just thought, the new Morrisons that opened on the ground floor won't be making much money then)

 

Indeed they do, but brick and stone will weather slowly and nicely. Concrete never looks good but anything with artificial colouring will fade. The ultraviolet degrades the pigments.

[Whitey Grandad]

What's itb meant to be, by the way? Is it student accommodation, as if it is that explains a lot!

 

I suppose the colours would hide all the puke dribbling down from the windows.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

Concrete never looks good ...

 

[Whitey Grandad]

 

Unless it's Roman...

 

Even they didn't use it outside.

[saintbletch]

I'm with Charles. I like it.