The British Lido

The term Lido refers to a public outdoor swimming pool. During the 1930s, 169 lidos were built in the UK. Today many of these have fallen derelict.

Broomhill Lido, Norwich


















Tinside Lido, Plymouth.

Albanian Paint Job

Here is another Socialist block. This time in Albania. And below a similar prefabricated concrete structure having undergone a cosmetic facelift.

The idea to paint these buildings came from a post-socialist mayor in Tirana. The logic behind the campaign was to encouraged tourism and foreign investment. Whether this has worked as intended is uncertain, the act however certainly sparks debate.

Can painting over the grey improve the lives of those residing in these buildings or does it simply make it more pleasant for onlookers?

Socialist Era Blocks

This housing block in Rezina, Moldova is a product of the Socialist era. It is typical in its use of concrete and little else. Many of these buildings, although rapidly decaying, are still in use today as housing throughout Eastern Europe.

I find the block intriguing, the stories it could tell... What do you think, is it an eye sore?

The below image is a block is in Giurgiu, Romania. Its another prime example of Communist architecture. Can anyone have lead anything other than a dreary and desolate existence here?

Ah the Tricorn Center, Portsmouth

The architect of the Tricorn Centre was Rodney Gordon. Gordon was strongly influenced by the three architectural giants of the twentieth century: Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright.















Shown here: The spiral ramp to the car park

This glorious shopping center was demolished in 2003 despite attempts to protect it with listed status.

Get Carter Car Park

Can a multi storey car park ever be described as 'culturally significant'? Architectural campaign group the Twentieth Century Society claim so. They are campaigning to save this 1960s "brutalist" structure in Gateshead. The car park developed a cult following after it was featuring in the 1971 gangster film Get Carter.
Do you love or hate the structure?

Spaghetti Junctions

'Spaghetti Junction' is a nickname given to a complicated or intertwined interchange, that may resembles a plate of spaghetti.

Birmingham Interchange, UK















Atlanta's Interchange, USA