Alistair Fair is Reader in Architectural History at the University of Edinburgh. He is a specialist in the history of British architecture since 1945, with a particular interest in public and institutional buildings.

a highly nuanced account of the welfare state and its architecture a substantial addition to a growing scholarship concerned with the impact of affluence, and perceived affluence, on shaping post-war government policy

• Introduction: 'The Pattern is Now Quite Different' 1: 'An Instrument of Policy and Something Socially Desirable': Public Funding and Theatre 2: 'Housing the Arts': Funding Capital Projects 3: Towards a New Theatre Architecture, 1945-1960 4: 'The Second Positive Stage': Modern Public Buildings, c.1958-1971 5: 'A New Image of the Town Centre': Theatres, Civic Pride, and Urbanity 6: 'The Modern Concept of a Community Theatre': The Social Centre 7: 'At the End of a Boom'? Frugality and Contextualism, c.1968-1985 8: 'Theatre of the Future': Rethinking the Auditorium 9: 'The Most Revolutionary Thing?' Modern Proscenium-arch & End-stage Auditoria 10: Escaping From Boarded Concrete and Modern Finishes'? Impermanency, Mobility, Rehabilitation - And Emulation Conclusions: 'Out Of Its Sick Bed'

Alistair Fair is Reader in Architectural History at the University of Edinburgh. He is a specialist in the history of British architecture since 1945, with a particular interest in public and institutional buildings.

a highly nuanced account of the welfare state and its architecture a substantial addition to a growing scholarship concerned with the impact of affluence, and perceived affluence, on shaping post-war government policy

• Introduction: 'The Pattern is Now Quite Different' 1: 'An Instrument of Policy and Something Socially Desirable': Public Funding and Theatre 2: 'Housing the Arts': Funding Capital Projects 3: Towards a New Theatre Architecture, 1945-1960 4: 'The Second Positive Stage': Modern Public Buildings, c.1958-1971 5: 'A New Image of the Town Centre': Theatres, Civic Pride, and Urbanity 6: 'The Modern Concept of a Community Theatre': The Social Centre 7: 'At the End of a Boom'? Frugality and Contextualism, c.1968-1985 8: 'Theatre of the Future': Rethinking the Auditorium 9: 'The Most Revolutionary Thing?' Modern Proscenium-arch & End-stage Auditoria 10: Escaping From Boarded Concrete and Modern Finishes'? Impermanency, Mobility, Rehabilitation - And Emulation Conclusions: 'Out Of Its Sick Bed'

Alistair Fair is Reader in Architectural History at the University of Edinburgh. He is a specialist in the history of British architecture since 1945, with a particular interest in public and institutional buildings.

a highly nuanced account of the welfare state and its architecture a substantial addition to a growing scholarship concerned with the impact of affluence, and perceived affluence, on shaping post-war government policy

• Introduction: 'The Pattern is Now Quite Different' 1: 'An Instrument of Policy and Something Socially Desirable': Public Funding and Theatre 2: 'Housing the Arts': Funding Capital Projects 3: Towards a New Theatre Architecture, 1945-1960 4: 'The Second Positive Stage': Modern Public Buildings, c.1958-1971 5: 'A New Image of the Town Centre': Theatres, Civic Pride, and Urbanity 6: 'The Modern Concept of a Community Theatre': The Social Centre 7: 'At the End of a Boom'? Frugality and Contextualism, c.1968-1985 8: 'Theatre of the Future': Rethinking the Auditorium 9: 'The Most Revolutionary Thing?' Modern Proscenium-arch & End-stage Auditoria 10: Escaping From Boarded Concrete and Modern Finishes'? Impermanency, Mobility, Rehabilitation - And Emulation Conclusions: 'Out Of Its Sick Bed'