46 Years at the Centre of Swindon

The Plaza overall roof. The engineering influence of railway station train sheds can clearly be seen.

Today marks the 46th birthday of the Brunel Shopping Centre. It's importance to Swindon cannot be underestimated, it sits at the physical heart of the town centre.

Architecturally, it still impresses, if you take the time to look. From the delivery spirals on Farnsby Street and Commercial Road, to the smart overall roof above the Plaza, the echoes of railway station engineering in it's design still sound through.

The roof design : simple, elegant and substantive. The blue skies and white cloud mixes with the floor tiling on the Plaza below.

Practically for shoppers it gives lots of walking routes, in whichever direction you might be going. Modern planners and architects are keen (as are clients and developers) to produce developments with effective permeability. The Brunel has been doing it well for nearly half a century!

The majority of the centre's walkways are lit by natural daylight. Even on cloudy days, natural light easily penetrates down to the ground floor.

With The Crossing, well cultivated mix of chains and independents, and good sense of retail theatre (the prominent new fruit and veg stall being the latest welcome move), this 46 year old is serving Swindon well.

Plus it has two architecture awards* under it's belt!

* RIBA South West Regional Award 1977 and the Constrado Steel Award 1978.

Links

The Brunel Shopping Centre https://www.thebrunel.co.uk

Market Forces

Today was the last day of trading at Swindon's Tented Market.

Plain or Self Raising?

A newly-revealed ghost sign in Swindon.

From the archives - The old Regent Circus College

This week 5 years ago, the view inside the old Swindon College building at Regent Circus.

From the archives - Olympic Torch

This week 5 years ago Swindon town centre came to a halt in the heat for the Olympic Torch on it's way to London.

30 Years To The Second

The replica hooter built for the Swindon 175 year of events was sounded this afternoon at 4.30pm, 30 years to the second that the hooter was sounded, marking the end of the last shift at Swindon Rail Works.

The ground beneath your feet shook, it was quite something to witness.

The original hooter atop the Hooter House.

The Ghost Sign Scales of Justice

The old County Court building still stands on Swindon's Clarence Street and if you look carefully above at the decorative entrance doors you'll find a couple of ghost signs from the building's previous use.

This one shows the 'County Courts Office' lettering still distinguishable.