Art Deco Light and Stairs
This light fitting and staircase is in the rear (sea-side) of the De La Warr Pavilion on the seafront of Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. This is an International Style building constructed in 1935 and considered by some to be in Art Deco style. Some claim it to be the first major Modernist public building in Britain, although it was actually preceded by some months by the Dutch-influenced Hornsey Town Hall.
It was the result of an architectural competition initiated by Herbrand Sackville, 9th Earl De La Warr, after whom the building was named. A committed socialist and Mayor of Bexhill, he persuaded the town council to develop the site as a public building. The competition for the design attracted more than 230 entrants and the winners, Eric Mendelsohn and Serge Chermayeff, were leading figures in the Modern Movement.
The aesthetics employed in the International Style proved especially suited to the building, tending towards streamlined, industrially-influenced designs, often with expansive metal-framed windows, and eschewing traditional brick and stonework in favour of concrete and steel construction. Construction began in January 1935 and the building was opened on 12 December of the same year by the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth).
During WWII, the Pavilion was used by the military and amongst those who served there was noted comedian Gunner Spike Milligan.
In 1986 the Pavilion was granted Grade I listed Building status and in 1989 the Pavilion Trust was formed to protect and restore the building. In 2005, after an restoration and regeneration programme, the Pavilion reopened as a contemporary arts centre.
Art Deco Light and Stairs
This light fitting and staircase is in the rear (sea-side) of the De La Warr Pavilion on the seafront of Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. This is an International Style building constructed in 1935 and considered by some to be in Art Deco style. Some claim it to be the first major Modernist public building in Britain, although it was actually preceded by some months by the Dutch-influenced Hornsey Town Hall.
It was the result of an architectural competition initiated by Herbrand Sackville, 9th Earl De La Warr, after whom the building was named. A committed socialist and Mayor of Bexhill, he persuaded the town council to develop the site as a public building. The competition for the design attracted more than 230 entrants and the winners, Eric Mendelsohn and Serge Chermayeff, were leading figures in the Modern Movement.
The aesthetics employed in the International Style proved especially suited to the building, tending towards streamlined, industrially-influenced designs, often with expansive metal-framed windows, and eschewing traditional brick and stonework in favour of concrete and steel construction. Construction began in January 1935 and the building was opened on 12 December of the same year by the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth).
During WWII, the Pavilion was used by the military and amongst those who served there was noted comedian Gunner Spike Milligan.
In 1986 the Pavilion was granted Grade I listed Building status and in 1989 the Pavilion Trust was formed to protect and restore the building. In 2005, after an restoration and regeneration programme, the Pavilion reopened as a contemporary arts centre.