Hidden Horsham - Horsham in 2008

Horsham in 2008 Apartments on the Bishops Move site in Worthing Road

Something New

The second page of this 2008 feature is looking at the modern buildings that have been erected in Horsham in the last ten years, adopting the wedding phrase of something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. The use of glass, steel, concrete and, in some instances, plastic have raised a few eyebrows amongst those concerned about the town's architectural style. However, whilst we need to carefully guard this overall style, we must leave Horsham with something for the historians of the future to look back on

It should be pointed out that the materials above are not new. The Romans used concrete and clear glass emerged as long ago as the 15^th century - although not in the sheet size we see today. Iron, of course, pre-dates both of these but the new steel formulas allow much more adventurous designs to be considered. All of these materials have been used in the construction of now well established Swan Walk and Piries Place so should not be too shocking to the eye

Former King & Barnes site

Perhaps one of the more unusual range of buildings are those that have been built on the site of the former King & Barnes brewery in Albion Way. With the closure of the brewery the land was sold and the brewery buildings replaced by apartments and offices. Critised by the Horsham Society for having 'too many balconies' but also being a 'residential development [of] merit', it is nonetheless a sought after location. The society also dislike the adjacent office block for having the appearance of an 'oversize aquarium'. Perhaps a little harsh since the building does take its lines from the remaining King & Barnes property (its former retail outlet). The former King & Barnes retail outlet is unoccupied at the time of writing this feature and the 'aquarium' has just one office left to let

Pavilions Swimming Pool

The swimming pool, part of the Pavilions in the Park is the subject of a separate feature. It is a glass and wood structure built on the northern edge of the park in the same area as the former open air pool. There are no neighbouring properties within site so it has no need to seek to blend in. It is also reputed to be the first British building on this scale built with timber from a sustainable source. Some feel that the pool is trespassing onto the green of the park, given for Horsham's enjoyment and pleasure by the Hurst family. However, it is a recreational feature that sits naturally in the park

The Bus Station

The new bus station has been built at the top of the Worthing Road near to the junction with the Bishopric and West Street. The iconic Blackhorse public house disappeared in the 1950's but is remembered in the name of the service road to the pedestrianised West Street; Blackhorse Way. The bus station was opened on the 31^st March 2003 at a cost of approximately £750,000. It was funded by Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd as part of the Blackhorse Way redevelopment project. As is clear from the photos, has walls of glass topped with a white plasic roof that resembles a paracetomol caplet. It is clean and functional with the glass walls discouraging acts of vandalism and assault; these crimes are rare in Horsham in any circumstance. The whole building has just undergone a second major external clean, especially noticable when the green growth on the roof was scrubbed away

Horsham's YMCA known as the 'Y'

The new £3.9m Horsham YMCA was opened in January 2006, construction having started in April 2004. It was built on the former car park in Albion Way. It is a sweeping eye-shaped building that presents a long curved face to the outside world. Inside a glass atrium dominates the design. Aside from its YMCA activities it also offers conference facilities

The next part of this four page feature is entitled 'something borrowed'

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