Elizabeth Darling
@archhistdarling.bsky.social
Architectural historian, curator, author specialising in histories of modernist cultures in Britain, esp 20s/30s; expert on women & architecture 1890s to the present. New book coming in 2026: https://www.lundhumphries.com/products/palace-of-the-ether
Still delighted to see this listed. But given the current undermining of humanities & culture in U.K., more than being exemplary Brutalism, the SBAC’s significance lies in it forming part of a resounding assertion of the value of the arts to national life & as something worthy of state support.
London’s Southbank Centre has been listed, ending a 35-year battle to secure heritage protection for the 1960s Brutalist landmark.
Brutalist Southbank Centre finally listed after 35 years of refusals
Brutalist Southbank Centre finally listed after 35 years of refusals
www.architectsjournal.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Still delighted to see this listed. But given the current undermining of humanities & culture in U.K., more than being exemplary Brutalism, the SBAC’s significance lies in it forming part of a resounding assertion of the value of the arts to national life & as something worthy of state support.
I wouldn’t hold my breath!
February 6, 2026 at 3:29 PM
I wouldn’t hold my breath!
Can't believe it's finally been listed; albeit at Grade 2. Moons ago I wrote to the then Min of Environment (?Heseltine?) to protest its non-listed status; got the usual waffle in reply. Missing from the listing bibliog is @alistairfair.bsky.social & me on SBAC: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
quite a winding road to this
historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-...
historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-...
The Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Hayward Gallery and associated terraced walkways and stairs, Non Civil Parish - 1492622 | Historic England
List entry 1492622. Grade II Listing: The Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Hayward Gallery and associated terraced walkways and stairs. May include summary, reasons for designation and history.
historicengland.org.uk
February 6, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Can't believe it's finally been listed; albeit at Grade 2. Moons ago I wrote to the then Min of Environment (?Heseltine?) to protest its non-listed status; got the usual waffle in reply. Missing from the listing bibliog is @alistairfair.bsky.social & me on SBAC: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
February 1, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Really enjoyed seeing this lovely film this evening blogs.brighton.ac.uk/brightondesi...
FHK Henrion: Designing from Home | University of Brighton Design Archives
"This beautifully shot film opens the doors to the interior worlds of FHK and Daphne Henrion. By capturing their working and domestic...
blogs.brighton.ac.uk
January 22, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Really enjoyed seeing this lovely film this evening blogs.brighton.ac.uk/brightondesi...
At Charleston today to see the Roger Fry exhibition. The garden was looking spectral.
January 18, 2026 at 9:49 PM
At Charleston today to see the Roger Fry exhibition. The garden was looking spectral.
Reposted by Elizabeth Darling
Copies of Architectural History 68 are landing on doorsteps for members of @thesahgb.bsky.social. Non-members can view several Open Access articles online: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
January 12, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Copies of Architectural History 68 are landing on doorsteps for members of @thesahgb.bsky.social. Non-members can view several Open Access articles online: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Very much enjoyed seeing Babyface (1933) today - great performance by Barbara Stanwyck & fab costumes too plus surprising reference to Nietzsche! Part of picturehouse cinema’s series on pre-code Hollywood films.
January 11, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Very much enjoyed seeing Babyface (1933) today - great performance by Barbara Stanwyck & fab costumes too plus surprising reference to Nietzsche! Part of picturehouse cinema’s series on pre-code Hollywood films.
I love my @findmypast.bsky.social subscription & it’s become an integral part of my research. Not surprised I’ve spent a lot of time among the ‘30s newspapers but surprised #CountryLife is my top source tho it does have a key article on B’casting House by Christopher Hussey.
December 31, 2025 at 5:56 PM
I love my @findmypast.bsky.social subscription & it’s become an integral part of my research. Not surprised I’ve spent a lot of time among the ‘30s newspapers but surprised #CountryLife is my top source tho it does have a key article on B’casting House by Christopher Hussey.
📢📢
Volume 68 of Architectural History, the Society’s principal publication, has been published. Printed copies will soon be delivered to Society members.
The cover depicts the spiralling Eternit Tower at the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair.
sahgb.org.uk/features/architectural-history-volume-68
The cover depicts the spiralling Eternit Tower at the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair.
sahgb.org.uk/features/architectural-history-volume-68
Volume 68 of Architectural History - SAHGB
The issue features eight articles, twenty book reviews, and a special collection of tributes to the late Howard Burns.
sahgb.org.uk
December 30, 2025 at 9:12 AM
📢📢
Season’s Greetings to all. (Original artwork by my infants’ school self).
December 24, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Season’s Greetings to all. (Original artwork by my infants’ school self).
Delighted that Women & Architectural History was recognised by a Colvin Prize commendation last week. www.sahgb.org.uk/features/sah...
December 22, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Delighted that Women & Architectural History was recognised by a Colvin Prize commendation last week. www.sahgb.org.uk/features/sah...
@thesahgb annual awards: www.sahgb.org.uk/features/sah...
The 2025 Annual Awards Ceremony - SAHGB
We are pleased to congratulate the winners of this year’s Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain awards.
www.sahgb.org.uk
December 19, 2025 at 1:20 PM
@thesahgb annual awards: www.sahgb.org.uk/features/sah...
In case you missed the link: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10...
www.tandfonline.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:43 PM
In case you missed the link: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10...
Researching an article on EKCO & had a moment when my different research areas intersect. Reading on early plastics like Beatl/Beetl I find this was made by British Industrial Plastics - f. By A.M. Chance. His son married Janet Whyte, subject of my recent article on the women of 7 Charlotte Sq!
December 15, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Researching an article on EKCO & had a moment when my different research areas intersect. Reading on early plastics like Beatl/Beetl I find this was made by British Industrial Plastics - f. By A.M. Chance. His son married Janet Whyte, subject of my recent article on the women of 7 Charlotte Sq!
Well this was an excellent film! Recommend.
December 10, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Well this was an excellent film! Recommend.
New book of interest to those who work on women (especially tiresome and difficult ones!) and architecture. Dott did much interesting work in housing. www.selfpublishingpartnership.co.uk/2024/09/09/l...
December 4, 2025 at 11:31 AM
New book of interest to those who work on women (especially tiresome and difficult ones!) and architecture. Dott did much interesting work in housing. www.selfpublishingpartnership.co.uk/2024/09/09/l...
Thanks Alistair.
November 26, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Thanks Alistair.
Title reveal … countdown to June 2026.
November 26, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Title reveal … countdown to June 2026.
Reposted by Elizabeth Darling
EVENTS: This Thursday we’ll be joined by Emily Gee IHBC FSA for a seminar exploring campaigns to house a new generation of working Victorian and Edwardian women, the specialised design of their buildings, and the lives transformed by this architectural movement.
Register Now:
sahgb.org.uk/whatson
Register Now:
sahgb.org.uk/whatson
November 24, 2025 at 2:59 PM
EVENTS: This Thursday we’ll be joined by Emily Gee IHBC FSA for a seminar exploring campaigns to house a new generation of working Victorian and Edwardian women, the specialised design of their buildings, and the lives transformed by this architectural movement.
Register Now:
sahgb.org.uk/whatson
Register Now:
sahgb.org.uk/whatson
One of the good 70s BHS shopfronts on Fishersgate, Preston. The busker was singing the Stone Roses - in homage to Mani, RIP.
November 22, 2025 at 12:02 PM
One of the good 70s BHS shopfronts on Fishersgate, Preston. The busker was singing the Stone Roses - in homage to Mani, RIP.
In Preston so of course I visited for bus station! Very nicely detailed! But hardly anyone waiting for a bus! (Preston seems to have a gazillion car parks).
November 22, 2025 at 10:55 AM
In Preston so of course I visited for bus station! Very nicely detailed! But hardly anyone waiting for a bus! (Preston seems to have a gazillion car parks).
Reposted by Elizabeth Darling
SAHGB has conferred the inaugural Colvin Special Award 2025 on the editors of the Pevsner Architectural Guides, recognising their renewal of this landmark series for readers across the British Isles.
Full press release on our website.
www.sahgb.org.uk/features/col...
Full press release on our website.
www.sahgb.org.uk/features/col...
November 21, 2025 at 3:01 PM
SAHGB has conferred the inaugural Colvin Special Award 2025 on the editors of the Pevsner Architectural Guides, recognising their renewal of this landmark series for readers across the British Isles.
Full press release on our website.
www.sahgb.org.uk/features/col...
Full press release on our website.
www.sahgb.org.uk/features/col...
New by me - part of my ongoing & evolving work on women’s social activism in late Victorian & Edwardian Edinburgh: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
November 17, 2025 at 9:07 AM
New by me - part of my ongoing & evolving work on women’s social activism in late Victorian & Edwardian Edinburgh: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....