100 20th-Century Sports and Leisure Buildings

A showcase of Britain’s most architecturally significant sports and leisure buildings from the twentieth century and beyond. This book gives a fascinating insight into the spaces where we play: from swimming pools and skate parks to ice rinks and cricket pavilions. The twentieth century saw a rapid expansion in the public provision for sports and leisure with the construction of municipal lidos, pools, and sports grounds. These structures are not only an intensely evocative part of our shared social heritage but some of the most architecturally innovative constructions of the past century. The Twentieth Century Society have picked out 100 of the most important sports and leisure buildings, each beautifully photographed. Also included are expert essays on particular building types and an introduction with a strong campaigning element—with the decimation of local authority budgets forcing the closure of many centers and pools, this is a timely exploration that provides a crucial record of this key part of our cultural heritage.