English Heritage (the conservation body that oversees England) listed 14 late 20th century office developments as historic monuments and it is another reason for a discussion should the "concrete architecture" be protected or not.

Alpha Tower in Birmingham
Alpha Tower in Birmingham © (Ted and Jen/Flickr via CC License)

Concrete is part of Britain’s heritage, too—an official part, in fact. This week, English Heritage (the conservation body that oversees England) listed 14 late 20th century office developments as historic monuments. The buildings, all constructed between 1964 and 1984, will now be protected from summary demolition or insensitive remodeling, standing as examples of the best architecture of their period. They include this 1973 London Flatiron, this muscular Richard Rogers-influenced office built in 1984, and this 1971 Liverpool bank building that resembles a modernist Christmas tree bauble.  The buildings are mainly built on a small scale, though Birmingham’s wedge shaped Alpha Towerand this London building that looks like a hair-roller have also made the cut. They all have their unique something, no doubt, but given the period’s architectural unpopularity, are they really worth preserving?