As reported in the Daily Echo, the long-awaited demolition has begun on Southampton University's iconic Faraday Tower.
More than three years since the fate of the building was sealed, the polarising structure is finally being taken down.
However, Faraday Tower has been immortalised in the collections of some stamp collectors.
Read more: Are these Southampton's ugliest buildings?
The 1971 British Architecture series featured modern university buildings, was designed to celebrate contemporary British architecture and was well-received for its attractive designs.
The decision to feature modern university buildings stemmed from a suggestion by the Stamp Advisory Committee, a group established by the British Post Office to advise on stamp design and issuance.
The committee recognised the architectural significance of these universities and believed they would be interesting subjects for stamps.
Following this recommendation, the British Post Office contacted the universities of Essex, Leicester, Southampton, and the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. The chosen buildings showcased the innovative designs and materials being used in university architecture at the time.
The Faraday Tower at the University of Southampton was an iconic Brutalist building that has been part of the city's skyline for more than six decades.
Designed by architect Basil Spence, it was built to house the university's engineering department and was known for its unusual design, with narrow foundations stemming into a wider bulk.
The tower was named after Michael Faraday, the famous scientist who made significant contributions to electromagnetism.
However the Electrical Engineering Department originally wanted it named after James Clerk Maxwell, but the name was vetoed due to potential confusion with Robert Maxwell.
In 2021, the university approved plans to demolish the tower due to its outdated facilities and for new campus development.
What will take the place of the tower is yet to be decided and revealed.
The unprepossessing qualities of Faraday Tower meant it made the Daily Echo's list of Southampton's ugliest buildings last year.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel