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Central Hall, University of York

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Coordinates: 53°56′49″N 1°03′10″W / 53.94706°N 1.05291°W / 53.94706; -1.05291
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Central Hall
Central Hall, viewed from Greg's Place, Vanbrugh College
Map
Alternative namesThe Spaceship (colloquial)
General information
TypeExamination Hall and Lecture Hall
Architectural styleBrutalism
LocationHeslington, York
Coordinates53°56′49″N 1°03′10″W / 53.94706°N 1.05291°W / 53.94706; -1.05291
Construction started1966
Construction stopped1968
OwnerUniversity of York
Design and construction
Architect(s)Robert Matthew and Johnson-Marshall & Partners
Structural engineerRobert Owston
Other designersJohn Speight (designer)
Michael Gibbs (assistant designer)
Henry Robert Humphreys (acoustical consultant)
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameCentral Hall, University of York
Designated22 August 2018
Reference no.1456551

Central Hall (colloquially known as "The Spaceship" for the similar appearance to a UFO)[1] is a building of the University of York, England, designed by John Speight in the brutalist style. It was constructed in 1966–1968. The Hall is seen as a tour de force of the university, appearing on merchandise and often used as a background for university publicity. It is Grade II listed.[2]

History

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The 1970s saw some notable acts and bands perform at the Hall, including The Who and The Kinks.[3]

In 1985, Boomtown Rats played at the Hall. During the performance, Bob Geldof called on the audience to come closer and dance. Nearly 300 people rushed forwards and danced on the orchestra pit cover, causing over £1,000 worth of damage.[4] As a result of this damage, no band has been allowed to play in Central Hall since. Precisely what did happen is up for debate. Student newspaper issues from the time are unaccounted for and subsequent issues follow different accounts.[5][better source needed]

The brutalist appearance of the Hall has attracted critics. In 2014 Professor John Rentoul, writing in the Independent on Sunday, placed the Hall in 7th place of the ugliest buildings in Britain.[6]

During COVID-19, Central Hall was one of the locations that the university used to administer vaccines.[7]

The prominent location of the Hall has made it an attractive location for protests over the years. In 1993, the Hall was occupied for one night by students protesting against a planned cut in student grants,[8][better source needed] in 2021 anti-Conservative graffiti was scrawled on the side,[9] while in 2023 student member of Plant Based Universities hung a banner on Central Hall and let off non-toxic flares.[10]

Nature of the building

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As with the rest of the first phase of buildings at the university, the Hall directly integrates with the surrounding nature, allowing the appearance of a country park to continue undisrupted. The cantilevers allow the building to stand out from its surroundings, but not aggressively.[11] Most of the buildings of this phases notably used the CLASP (Consortium of Local Authorities Special Programme) system, but the size of the Hall saw it constructed out of a reinforced concrete.[12]

The ground floor is mainly a large foyer with glass walls looking out over the lake. The first floor is the auditorium, with tiered seating on three sides of the stage stairs lead from the foyer to the bottom of the auditorium, but external stairs and an external balcony gives access to the top of the auditorium.[13] The Hall has a maximum capacity of 1,100.[14]

Location

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It is in a prominent position in the university's West Campus, on the bank of the middle of the lake. Covered walkways to the east and west connect the Hall with Derwent College and Vanbrugh College respectfully. To the north is the Berrick Saul Building while the Exhibition Centre can be accessed using the Central Hall Bridge that crosses the lake.

Use

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During the planning of the university, it was decided to maintain the tradition of red-brick universities of constructing a great hall for important events.[15] The primary function of the Hall is that of an examination hall and a lecture theatre.[16] As a centrepiece, it has multiple functions, extending to concerts, ceremonial events, and conferences.[2]

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The hall is prominent in the logos of university societies. It is featured on the University of York Labour Club,[17] while a silhouette of the building is the logo of the York Dialectic Union.[18]

References

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  1. ^ "My time choosing York for my degree". University of York: Student voices. 6 March 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Central Hall, University of York". Historic England. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Our history: 1970s". University of York. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Our history: 1980s". University of York. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Boomtown Rats play Central Hall". klaxon.hacksoc.org. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  6. ^ Rentoul, John (8 August 2014). "The Top Ten: Horrible buildings". The Independent. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  7. ^ Horwitz, Luke (10 September 2021). "Pop-Up Vaccine Centres Returning to Campus". York Vision. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  8. ^ "York Campus Folklore". klaxon.hacksoc.org. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  9. ^ Stone, Iwan (15 March 2021). ""Protest Tory Facism... Riot", says NEW Central Hall Graffiti". York Vision. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  10. ^ McAndrew, Orla (24 September 2023). "Plant Based Universities call for the University of York to transition to fully plant based catering". Nouse. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  11. ^ Mitchell, Christopher (23 February 1972). "Building revisited: York University". The Architects' Journal Information Library. 155 (8): 422.
  12. ^ Historic England Advice Report | Case Name: University of York, Central Hall | Case Number: 1455634 (PDF) (Report). 2 August 2018. p. 7.
  13. ^ Historic England Advice Report | Case Name: University of York, Central Hall | Case Number: 1455634 (PDF) (Report). 2 August 2018. pp. 7–8.
  14. ^ "Central Hall". York TechSoc. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  15. ^ Historic England Advice Report | Case Name: University of York, Central Hall | Case Number: 1455634 (PDF) (Report). 2 August 2018. p. 2.
  16. ^ "Assisted resonance at the Central Hall, York University". The Architects' Journal. 160 (31): 297. 31 July 1974.
  17. ^ "Labour Club (UYLC)". University of York Students' Union. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  18. ^ "York Dialectic Union". University of York Students' Union. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
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