History and Buildings of the University of York
The building of the University of York was a landmark moment in the development of modern York. On this page of the website we have gathered together a range of writing and photographs to describe the historical and design significance of this splendid institution.
The University website (HERE) has some interesting background on its history, beginning in 1617, when plans for a university in the city were first put forward. Heslington had long been a sleepy estate village, dominated by the rich families who owned the Hall (read more HERE). That all came to an end in the Second World War, when the Hall was requisitioned by the RAF to house the Headquarters of No.4 Bomber Group, controlling operations at the growing number of airbases in area.
The Hall lay empty and the gardens were neglected for years during and after the war and in 1956 it was bought by the Joseph Rowntree Trust to create a Folk Park. This imaginative project was overtaken by the needs of the new University, which was initially housed at Kings Manor, but urgently needed space to expand. So in 1962, the Hall and its large estate was purchased for the University.
The Architectural significance of the University has recently become recognised and many buildings and part of the grounds are Listed. You can read more about the Listed Buildings HERE.
The University website (HERE) has some interesting background on its history, beginning in 1617, when plans for a university in the city were first put forward. Heslington had long been a sleepy estate village, dominated by the rich families who owned the Hall (read more HERE). That all came to an end in the Second World War, when the Hall was requisitioned by the RAF to house the Headquarters of No.4 Bomber Group, controlling operations at the growing number of airbases in area.
The Hall lay empty and the gardens were neglected for years during and after the war and in 1956 it was bought by the Joseph Rowntree Trust to create a Folk Park. This imaginative project was overtaken by the needs of the new University, which was initially housed at Kings Manor, but urgently needed space to expand. So in 1962, the Hall and its large estate was purchased for the University.
The Architectural significance of the University has recently become recognised and many buildings and part of the grounds are Listed. You can read more about the Listed Buildings HERE.
The University West Campus has trees which date from Lord Deramore's time, integrated into 1960s planting, when the grounds were landscaped to a high standard, now recognised by a Grade II Listing. As well as native British trees, a large number of exotic specimens were planted. Most are now well developed and provide a very tranquil environment for students and visitors. When the East Campus was built, it was decided the grounds should have entirely native species of plants, managed to maximise bio-diversity.
You can read FFH member, Dr Peter Mott's schedule of trees in the southern area of the West campus HERE.
You can read FFH member, Dr Peter Mott's schedule of trees in the southern area of the West campus HERE.
Nikolaus Pevsner gives his familiar pithy, succinct and authoritative overview of the university buildings in his Yorkshire: York and the East Riding. It was written in 1995, but it remains relevant and informative, so we have reproduced it here:
"The initial designs by Robert Matthew, Johnson-Marshall & Partners [RMJM] (Andrew Derbyshire in charge) were accepted in 1962 and the first two colleges were opened in 1965.
The concept was that the University should be collegiate in the sense that the staff, students, residential rooms, common room, a small library, and accommodation for academic departments (except those laboratory based) should be repeated for each college.
The buildings and their setting have resulted in the best of the new universities visually and structurally, thanks to one stroke of genius and one highly sensible decision.
The stroke of genius is the large lake. It provides all the undulation and some of the variety one wants to see, and it allows the buildings to be entirely reasonable and keep away from all the gimmicks.
The sensible decision was to use the CLASP system, a system of modular dimensioning and prefabricated parts. [Consortium of Local Authorities Special Programme system, a pre-fabricated, modular system using cold-rolled steel frames clad in pre-cast concrete panels] The module will be noticed everywhere, units of one, two, three panel widths for windows, even the oriels projecting rectangularly and even for the many restless and incomprehensible concrete reliefs.
The CLASP system allowed York to more quickly and more cheaply than others, which was the imperative. Now all this sounds like boredom; in fact it is nothing of the sort. The first two colleges, DERWENT AND LANGWITH, both 1965, are so intricately planned, with inner courtyards – even a square pool off the lake – many walkways, and projections this way and that, that one hardly comes to feel the chief reason behind it all.
The concept was that the University should be collegiate in the sense that the staff, students, residential rooms, common room, a small library, and accommodation for academic departments (except those laboratory based) should be repeated for each college.
The buildings and their setting have resulted in the best of the new universities visually and structurally, thanks to one stroke of genius and one highly sensible decision.
The stroke of genius is the large lake. It provides all the undulation and some of the variety one wants to see, and it allows the buildings to be entirely reasonable and keep away from all the gimmicks.
The sensible decision was to use the CLASP system, a system of modular dimensioning and prefabricated parts. [Consortium of Local Authorities Special Programme system, a pre-fabricated, modular system using cold-rolled steel frames clad in pre-cast concrete panels] The module will be noticed everywhere, units of one, two, three panel widths for windows, even the oriels projecting rectangularly and even for the many restless and incomprehensible concrete reliefs.
The CLASP system allowed York to more quickly and more cheaply than others, which was the imperative. Now all this sounds like boredom; in fact it is nothing of the sort. The first two colleges, DERWENT AND LANGWITH, both 1965, are so intricately planned, with inner courtyards – even a square pool off the lake – many walkways, and projections this way and that, that one hardly comes to feel the chief reason behind it all.
Left: Derwent College B Building in 1967 Right: Student Accommodation at Derwent College in 1967 Images Lanpro Heritage Statement on Derwent College 2022
The CHEMISTRY LABORATORIES , 1965, were among the first buildings too, across University Road. They are one storeyed, four blocks with the splendid WATER TOWER in the middle. The high triple chimney of the BOILER HOUSE is less of an ornament. To the east is the DERWENT AND LANGWITH EXTENSION, late 1980s, by Hunt Thompson Associates, the first major break from the original concept. Four accommodation blocks in a yellow brick in a more traditional style arranged around a courtyard.
The third college, ALCUIN, 1967, lies west of the laboratories. Its plan has less intricacy and hence less attraction. A courtyard is formed by the additional accommodation block to the north, bult 1990-1 by Hunt Thompson Associates. A terrace of three-storeyed brick houses with tiled roof with gablets. Further west is the BOWES MORRELL LIBRARY, 1966, and for this the CLASP system was replaced by precast concrete. A recessed ground floor, two floors of concrete posts and glass, and a third again recessed, with a heavy roof put down over it.
Back across University Road past the aluminium sculpture by Austin Wright to VANBRUGH COLLEGE, 1967, of which the same is to be said as of ALCUIN. It has, however, the advantage of a lakeside front.
Right by it is the one building of the University where – rightly – fancy is allowed to run free. It is the CENTRAL HALL, 1966, and it is a half octagon with canted sides and lake and the upper storeys cantilevered out on that side too. heavy aluminium roof, the structural members exposed at the apex to form an open turret. Across the lake is GOODRICKE, 1968, with the degree of variety of the early colleges (sculptures by Alan Robinson), and the PHYSICS LABORATORY, 1967, whose lake front of five storeys is no asset in the general scenery. It extends a long way back.
To the west the newest college, JAMES, 1990-3 by Hunt Thompson Associates. Two groups of the now-standard brick accommodation blocks arranged around open courtyards. Terraces of three storey houses following the pattern of the late 1980sextension of DERWENT and LANGWITH collages. Yellow brick with blue brick bands. A third phase is planned with dining hall, social and administrative accommodation and further housing units, alongside work n building the PHSYCOLOGY DEPARTMENT was in progress in 1993 [this edition of Pevsner was published in 1995].
A delightful iron suspension FOOT-BRIDGE, 1993, leads to WENTWORTH COLLEGE, 1972, CLASP with brick additions of 1975 and the big BIOLOGY LABORATORIES, 1968 CLASP, with concrete clock tower. Finally, to the north east, THE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH INTO THE SOCIAL SERVICES (IRISS) 1990-92 by Hunt Thompson Associates, four brick ranges around a courtyard and the LYONS CONCERT HALL, 1968, seating 500, brick, with a canted shape and aluminium roof.
The C19-early C20 brick and pantile DRAMA BARN is the last remnant of the buildings of BLEACHFIELD FARM which stood on the site. Its name has been used for the nearby housing designed by the University Design Unit (David Crease)."
The third college, ALCUIN, 1967, lies west of the laboratories. Its plan has less intricacy and hence less attraction. A courtyard is formed by the additional accommodation block to the north, bult 1990-1 by Hunt Thompson Associates. A terrace of three-storeyed brick houses with tiled roof with gablets. Further west is the BOWES MORRELL LIBRARY, 1966, and for this the CLASP system was replaced by precast concrete. A recessed ground floor, two floors of concrete posts and glass, and a third again recessed, with a heavy roof put down over it.
Back across University Road past the aluminium sculpture by Austin Wright to VANBRUGH COLLEGE, 1967, of which the same is to be said as of ALCUIN. It has, however, the advantage of a lakeside front.
Right by it is the one building of the University where – rightly – fancy is allowed to run free. It is the CENTRAL HALL, 1966, and it is a half octagon with canted sides and lake and the upper storeys cantilevered out on that side too. heavy aluminium roof, the structural members exposed at the apex to form an open turret. Across the lake is GOODRICKE, 1968, with the degree of variety of the early colleges (sculptures by Alan Robinson), and the PHYSICS LABORATORY, 1967, whose lake front of five storeys is no asset in the general scenery. It extends a long way back.
To the west the newest college, JAMES, 1990-3 by Hunt Thompson Associates. Two groups of the now-standard brick accommodation blocks arranged around open courtyards. Terraces of three storey houses following the pattern of the late 1980sextension of DERWENT and LANGWITH collages. Yellow brick with blue brick bands. A third phase is planned with dining hall, social and administrative accommodation and further housing units, alongside work n building the PHSYCOLOGY DEPARTMENT was in progress in 1993 [this edition of Pevsner was published in 1995].
A delightful iron suspension FOOT-BRIDGE, 1993, leads to WENTWORTH COLLEGE, 1972, CLASP with brick additions of 1975 and the big BIOLOGY LABORATORIES, 1968 CLASP, with concrete clock tower. Finally, to the north east, THE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH INTO THE SOCIAL SERVICES (IRISS) 1990-92 by Hunt Thompson Associates, four brick ranges around a courtyard and the LYONS CONCERT HALL, 1968, seating 500, brick, with a canted shape and aluminium roof.
The C19-early C20 brick and pantile DRAMA BARN is the last remnant of the buildings of BLEACHFIELD FARM which stood on the site. Its name has been used for the nearby housing designed by the University Design Unit (David Crease)."
You can read the Heritage Statement prepared by Lanpro Services for the proposed refurbishment of the CLASP buildings of Derwent College, Block P - HERE
To give more information about the listed buildings, landscape and sculpture in the West Campus of the University , we have reproduced part of an article by Colin Marrs in the Architects' Journal of 24 August 2018:
'RMJM’s York University Buildings Listed'
(Read the article (HERE)
"A clutch of structures designed by Robert Matthew, Johnson-Marshall & Partners (RMJM) on University of York’s 1960s campus have been listed at Grade II. Historic England said that the buildings represented a physical manifestation of the University of York Development Plan, which was heralded as the beginning of contemporary university planning in the UK. The RMJM structures listed include the university’s central hall venue, two colleges, a covered walkway and the landscape for much of the original campus, based around a lake."
Central Hall (1966-68) A landmark post-war university building with dramatic views across the campus lake. Central Hall is York University’s architectural tour de force; an imaginative and bold design with striking architectural form. Designed by RMJM and built 1966-68 it successfully fulfils its design brief of being a multi-purpose building with features such as retractable seating and a removable sectional stage that enables a versatile space.
Covered walkway linking Langwith, Central Hall & Vanbrugh (1966-1968) An elegant pergola-like structure with a stepped profile by RMJM; it retains its original form and character, and later cladding applied to the underside of the canopy does not diminish its special interest.
Dryad sculpture by Austin Wright (1984) A relatively rare surviving large-scale outdoor commission by Wright, many of whose works have been stolen or destroyed; it is a dynamic sculpture of high aesthetic quality and workmanship.
Untitled sculpture by Austin Wright (1967) For its unusual setting within a boxed concrete ramp, allowing it to be appreciated at almost every angle and which formed an integral part of the main walkway around the campus; a key element of the design concept for the university. Of further interest for its place within Wright’s oeuvre, representing the maturity of his work in aluminium.
Derwent College (1963-1965) For the innovative combination of teaching and social facilities as well as residential accommodation in a single college, enabling it to instantly function as a university and allow for expansion by adding further colleges on the same principles. Derwent and Langwith Colleges were the first British university buildings to be erected using the CLASP prefabricated system [with RMJM]; a model for a rapidly-built, economical and standardised form of welfare state architecture, which had never been used on this scale before.
Former Langwith College (1963-1965) As above but to further list for the exceptionally well thought out massing and relationship of these two colleges to the earlier listed college of Heslington Hall and the university’s dramatic landscaping. To the design of the architects Robert Matthew, Johnson-Marshall and Partners (RMJM), with Stiratt Johnson-Marshall and Andrew Derbyshire
Campus West Designed Landscape (1963-1980) A refined design that successfully integrates a series of status buildings within a carefully designed landscape, and was praised by the contemporary architectural press. Designed by the distinguished mid-20th-century architects Andrew Derbyshire and Maurice Lee of RMJM, with Frank Clark, co-founder of the Garden History Society as consultant."
'RMJM’s York University Buildings Listed'
(Read the article (HERE)
"A clutch of structures designed by Robert Matthew, Johnson-Marshall & Partners (RMJM) on University of York’s 1960s campus have been listed at Grade II. Historic England said that the buildings represented a physical manifestation of the University of York Development Plan, which was heralded as the beginning of contemporary university planning in the UK. The RMJM structures listed include the university’s central hall venue, two colleges, a covered walkway and the landscape for much of the original campus, based around a lake."
Central Hall (1966-68) A landmark post-war university building with dramatic views across the campus lake. Central Hall is York University’s architectural tour de force; an imaginative and bold design with striking architectural form. Designed by RMJM and built 1966-68 it successfully fulfils its design brief of being a multi-purpose building with features such as retractable seating and a removable sectional stage that enables a versatile space.
Covered walkway linking Langwith, Central Hall & Vanbrugh (1966-1968) An elegant pergola-like structure with a stepped profile by RMJM; it retains its original form and character, and later cladding applied to the underside of the canopy does not diminish its special interest.
Dryad sculpture by Austin Wright (1984) A relatively rare surviving large-scale outdoor commission by Wright, many of whose works have been stolen or destroyed; it is a dynamic sculpture of high aesthetic quality and workmanship.
Untitled sculpture by Austin Wright (1967) For its unusual setting within a boxed concrete ramp, allowing it to be appreciated at almost every angle and which formed an integral part of the main walkway around the campus; a key element of the design concept for the university. Of further interest for its place within Wright’s oeuvre, representing the maturity of his work in aluminium.
Derwent College (1963-1965) For the innovative combination of teaching and social facilities as well as residential accommodation in a single college, enabling it to instantly function as a university and allow for expansion by adding further colleges on the same principles. Derwent and Langwith Colleges were the first British university buildings to be erected using the CLASP prefabricated system [with RMJM]; a model for a rapidly-built, economical and standardised form of welfare state architecture, which had never been used on this scale before.
Former Langwith College (1963-1965) As above but to further list for the exceptionally well thought out massing and relationship of these two colleges to the earlier listed college of Heslington Hall and the university’s dramatic landscaping. To the design of the architects Robert Matthew, Johnson-Marshall and Partners (RMJM), with Stiratt Johnson-Marshall and Andrew Derbyshire
Campus West Designed Landscape (1963-1980) A refined design that successfully integrates a series of status buildings within a carefully designed landscape, and was praised by the contemporary architectural press. Designed by the distinguished mid-20th-century architects Andrew Derbyshire and Maurice Lee of RMJM, with Frank Clark, co-founder of the Garden History Society as consultant."