Brutal and Beautiful: This house believes that the best of England's post-war buildings should be handed to the future

Grade II listed brutalist icon - the Barbican, London, 1973. By Chamberlin Powell & Bon.

© John Maltby/RIBA British Architectural Library Photographs Collection

A new English Heritage exhibition (Wellington Arch, 25 September – 24 November) celebrates the post-war era and its best listed buildings. Characterised by its bold and experimental forms and innovative use of materials (particularly concrete) the era transformed British towns and cities. While there is increasing recognition of this epoch, questions still remain as to what of it should be kept. 

RIBA with English Heritage hosts a debate looking at our love/hate relationship with England's recent architectural past and asks what is worth saving? Should buildings such as Preston Bus Station and Goldfinger's Alexander Fleming House be protected? Appreciation of this has era grown since the first post-war buildings were listed 25 years ago, but has listing gone too far?

Confirmed speakers: Roger Bowdler (Designation Director, English Heritage), Angela Brady (RIBA past president), Catherine Croft (Director, Twentieth Century Society), Owen Hatherley (Writer and journalist), Liz Peace (Chief Executive, British Property Federation)

In association with the British Property Federation.