Modern Bath
Bath is known for its Georgian harmony. Its post-war buildings have rarely been welcome. Some were derided from the day they opened. Others have quietly won people over. This book is about noticing these buildings, and perhaps seeing them in a new light.
In response to a severe shortage of teachers, the City of Bath Training College expanded by moving to Newton Park in 1947. It later merged with Bath Academy of Art to form Bath College of Higher Education, which became Bath Spa University.
The site is leased from the Duchy of Cornwall and set in Grade II* registered parkland by Capability Brown. It called for a sensitive approach. The answer was low-profile, clean-lined blocks scattered across the site, finished in Bath stone.
Mollie Taylor drew up the masterplan. She also designed the Refectory (originally the gymnasium) and many other key buildings.
Sadly, her work has fared badly in 2026. Bath Fire Station has been demolished. One of her campus buildings has recently been razed, and at the time of going to press another has a stay of execution.
