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The Apollo Pavillion

Picture of the Apollo Pavillion, a half bridge half piece of concrete architecture, in Peterlee which sits at the edge of a housing estate

St Astier have recently completed a full concrete repair survey of the controversial Apollo Pavillion in East Durham. Also known as Passmore’s Pavillion, or even ‘The Pivvy’ to locals, the Apollo Pavillion in Peterlee never fails to provoke a strong reaction. Considered a monstrosity by many, the 82 ft wide concrete structure was conceived and built in the 1960’s by Victor Passmore, an artist and architect who was appointed as Consulting Director of Architectural Design for the Peterlee Development Corporation in 1955.

The structure was named after the Apollo space mission and intended as a symbol of post war optimisim. Passmore looked to emphasise the focal point made by the town’s small lake which separated the nearby road from the pedestrian area, building “an architecture and sculpture of purely abstract form through which to walk, in which to linger and on which to play, a free and anonymous monument which, because of it’s independence, can lift the activity and psychology of an urban housing community on to a universal plane”.

The monument certainly attracted lingerers, most of whom were vandals or crowds of underage drinkers. The large groups of youths and the behaviour to be found at the Pavillion drew widespread complaints from the neighbouring community and attempts were made by a local councilor to enlist the army, the Prince of Wales and even Jimmy Saville to have the structure removed.

In 1982, Passmore himself faced the community at the pavillion in order to reach a compromise on what action should be taken. An agreement was reached to have the steps demolished, effectively limiting access to the higher level.

Attitudes towards the monument have changed more recently and the restoration of the Apollo Pavilion has been campaigned for since 2002.

Heritage Lottery Funds have now been secured to carry out necessary repairs and give the structure a new lease of life. Parts of the structure and its architectural features will be restored to the original design, including reinstating the Pavilion within its landscape setting. Highlights will include the replacement of the staircase to allow access to the upper level, and full restoration of two original Pasmore murals including feature lighting. In addition, Sunny Blunts Park will receive a major facelift being re-cobbled and reed beds added to the West End lake to the original design.

Posted on 12 September 2008 by Phil Brown and filed under .

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