Demolition of 'unlovable' University of Sheffield building begins

Bulldozers have descended on a well-known but seemingly little-loved University of Sheffield building.
By Robert Cumber
Published 8th Sep 2020, 14:57 BST
Demolition of the University of Sheffield's old psychology department building gets underway (pic: Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield)Demolition of the University of Sheffield's old psychology department building gets underway (pic: Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield)
Demolition of the University of Sheffield's old psychology department building gets underway (pic: Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield)

The old pschology department complex on the corner of Western Bank and Northumberland Road, beside Weston Park, is being demolished to make way for the university’s new ‘Information School’, offices and staff accommodation.

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The university said the existing building is ‘not fit for purpose’ and its replacement will be more environmentally friendly.

How the University of Sheffield's new Information School building, on the old psychology department site, will lookHow the University of Sheffield's new Information School building, on the old psychology department site, will look
How the University of Sheffield's new Information School building, on the old psychology department site, will look
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The site is across the road from the university’s new £65 million Faculty of Social Sciences building, on which work began in May 2019 only for the initial construction to have to be torn down so it could be started from scratch again due to problems with the foundations.

The old psychology building is a familiar landmark to many but one which it seems will be little mourned, with those who knew it best widely condemning it as an architectural aberration.

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“Not a particularly lovable building, but still a bit sad to see it go!” said Nick Davis.

Mark Humphries commented: “I would say I'd miss the old place, but upon entering the building long ago one of my old friends said of the interior ‘wow this looks like a set from the Andromeda Strain’, which says all you need to know about its claustrophobic early 70s ambience.”

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With demolition already well under the way across the road, Tom Stafford joked: “Rumours that this is part of a bizarre scheme to knock down the entire university while we are out of our offices are so far unconfirmed.”

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Related topics:University of SheffieldSheffield