Architecture is an industry that divides opinion, especially when you look at different styles. One that people tend to love or hate is Brutalism. However, it’s been getting more and more appreciation in various countries. We even saw a significant milestone recently with the Southbank Centre finally gaining listed status. We want to have a closer look here, then you can speak to us if you want to work with an award winning architect in London.

A long history

The Southbank Centre is a massive post-war Brutalist building with a very long history. It opened in its current guise in 1967. However, there was an immediate backlash to the design. It got the unfortunate title of “Britain’s ugliest building”. Critics were unhappy with the bulk and huge amount of concrete.

While one side was criticising the design, supporters were celebrating it as a bold piece of architecture. Some loved the use of concrete and the texture it offers. Incredibly, over time more people have come around too, earning the building a reputation as one of the best Brutalist buildings in the world.

Listing

Supporters of the Southbank Centre, primarily Historic England and the Twentieth Century Society (C20S), felt the building should have legal protection to preserve it. However, it wasn’t a simple campaign. The first attempt was in 1991, but did not get approval. Since then there were several more, each also failing. In most of the cases, the reason for declining the application was because the centre did not have significant architectural value. As a top architect in London, we can easily refute this claim.

The most difficult time for the Southbank Centre began in 2018. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport said it was not “unique or groundbreaking” when rejecting calls for a listing. They then went a step further in 2020, granting a licence that forbade further applications. In 2025 there was an application to extend the licence for five more years, but after calls from Historic England, the DCMS had a change of heart.

Ultimately, the most recent application to protect the Southbank Centre has been successful. It now has a Grade II listing to preserve key elements such as the facade and internal layout. Notably, it means all landmark arts buildings in the area, including the National Theatre and Royal Festival Hall, have legal protections.

C20S’ Director Catherine Croft was incredibly happy with the decision, saying it was “long overdue” to list the Southbank Centre. She celebrated the fact that it recognises a key building in “a style where Britain led the way”.

Do you want some help from a creative architect in London?

Our goal at Coffey Architects is to deliver the most exceptional buildings for our clients. Even more, we want to make sure they appeal to a wide audience. This approach has helped us to win a number of awards for projects.

So, if you want to work with a leading architect in London, speak to us. We’ve got a fantastic team and great pool of knowledge and experience. Even more significantly, we’re always ready to push the boat out and explore innovative ideas.