Sampson House, London
Built 1976-79. Demolished 2018.
Designed by Fitzroy Robson & Partners
Brutalism is controversial. The majority see it as ugly, badly built and associated with decline and neglect.
A growing minority have come to appreciate the buildings as icons of post-war optimism. Organisations such as the 20th Century Society and The Modernist Society celebrate them and campaign for their protection.
Sometimes it’s too late (as with Birmingham Library). Sometimes it’s ignored (as with Sampson House). Between 2016-19, on visits to the Tate Modern, I would take a detour and photograph it’s final days.
Sampson House was built between 1976-79. It’s extensive basements initially housed huge antiquated computers to clear cheques for Lloyds Bank customers. Latterly they were used by IBM as a data centre. It had its own oil store and power generator. It was built to last 125 years.
Nikolaus Pevsner noted that the “sleek stepped-back upper floors” look like “superimposed streamlined train carriages”.
In 2013, Southwark Borough Council approved plans to replace it with an apartment complex ranging from 5 to 49 storeys. The 20th Century Society opposed the demolition citing it as a “heritage asset.”
Demolition began in 2018. The demolition of Birmingham Library made me realise that I needed to document these brutalist masterpieces before they met the wrecking ball. Documenting the present before it becomes the past is an important role for photography.
I shall keep an eye on this building site and photograph its redevelopment each time I walk across Blackfriars Bridge and along the South Bank.
