Bold new buildings enhance an historic setting #newcityoldcity

Our #newcityoldcity initiative explores the work of leading architects who have successfully realised unconventional yet beautiful contemporary buildings that augment their historic surroundings

Everyone has their own view of what constitutes a beautiful building. In Bath, the birthplace of Buro Happold, we are spoilt for choice, with examples of architectural splendour that range from the sweeping golden terraces of the historic Royal Crescent, to the ultramodern glass cube that is the New Royal Bath at Thermae Spa.

Although these buildings epitomise very different architectural eras, they are united in ambitious design and high quality finish. The clean lines and modern materials of the New Royal Bath are a bold departure from the surrounding limestone facades, providing a perfect counterpoint at the heart of this Georgian city.

As Bath looks to the future, transforming underused brownfield sites into new workplaces, homes, leisure facilities and public spaces, how do we ensure that the new developments inspire, whilst also complimenting their heritage context?

As part of our #NewCityOldCity initiative, we asked a selection of leading architects to nominate contemporary buildings in other cities that compliment an historic setting. Grimshaw Architects, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, Zaha Hadid Architects, Foster + Partners, Wilkinson Eyre, Hopkins, Ron Herron, Simpson Haugh, FD Architecture and Rafael Moneo all took part, sharing with us their favourite modern buildings – which ranged from a Spanish town hall to an American university building, and from a London museum extension to converted gasholders.

From the eloquently understated to the defiantly different, these images explore a variety of approaches to uniting old and new architecture in our cities. The common thread that ties the collection together is that each featured project strikes the rare balance between good planning and long term thinking, to realise a new urban landmark that is in harmony with its historic setting.

An exhibition of the images can be seen in Bath’s new riverside park until the end of February 2018, or you can download the panels here. You can also see posts via our Instagram campaign #newcityoldcity (please note we are not responsible for content on 3rd party sites).