York Historic Environment Record

The University of York Development Plan published in 1962 envisaged a series of colleges, specialist science buildings, and a few 'special' structures. As part of the development plan a series of covered walkways linking the principal buildings was also proposed: the covered walkway linking the former Langwith College to Central Hall and Vanbrugh College was constructed in 1966-1968. As highlighted by the owner's representative, the walkway does perform a functional role in sheltering students and visitors from the elements, and carrying services between buildings. However, contrary to their assertion, it is considered that it also plays an important aesthetic and architectural role, and incorporates a design that is above the purely functional. The walkway is an elegant pergola-like structure with a stepped profile that adds visual interest as it connects between the buildings, and it typifies RMJM's holistic approach to the campus design, where even the smaller details and features were carefully considered. Its continued use highlights its ongoing success and although later cladding has been added to the underside of the canopy, this does not diminish the walkway's special interest or its character and the original timber structure and service compartment survive underneath. Although there are other covered walkways on the campus site this is one of the earliest constructed, but the main feature that sets the covered walkway linking the former Langwith College to Central Hall and Vanbrugh College apart from the others (excepting those integral to Derwent and former Langwith Colleges) and elevates its interest is that, significantly, it physically connects to two listed buildings: the former Langwith College and Central Hall (both listed at Grade II). In particular, it continues the integral walkway of the former Langwith College westwards and together they form a set piece. REASONS FOR DESIGNATION DECISION The covered walkway linking the former Langwith College to Central Hall and Vanbrugh College is recommended for listing at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Historic interest: * it forms part of a wave of seven new universities that improved access to higher education and marked the high point of publicly-funded architecture in post-war Britain; * it is a physical manifestation of the University of York Development Plan, which was heralded as the beginning of contemporary university planning in Britain. Architectural interest: * it is both functional in sheltering students and visitors from the elements, and carrying services between buildings, and aesthetic as an elegant pergola-like structure with a stepped profile; * it typifies RMJM's holistic approach to the campus design, where even the smaller details and features were carefully considered; * it retains its original form and character, and later cladding applied to the underside of the canopy does not diminish its special interest. Group value: * it has particularly strong group value with the Grade-II listed buildings of Central Hall and the former Langwith College to which it is physically connected, and continues the integral walkway within the latter building westwards; * it has additional group value with other listed features on the campus, including Heslington Hall (Grade II*), the numerous Grade II structures in the hall's formal gardens, Derwent College (Grade II), Grade II listed sculptures, and the Grade II registered designed landscape.