Listed buildings

The Meeting House: Grade II*

By Jennifer Drury

Multi-purpose space

The Meeting House at the University of Sussex was designed by Sir Basil Spence, and completed in 1966. It is composed of red brick and previously bare board-marked concrete, which unfortunately has been painted. "It is not clear who sanctioned the painting of this university building, but it does appear to be a schoolboy error. Exterior concrete, or brick for that matter, should never be painted, especially when it belongs to a Grade II* listed structure."(Robert Nemeth 2011)

It has a conoidal (cone shaped) copper covered roof. The building has a circular plan with the ground floor containing meeting rooms fully glazed and recessed with brick buttresses which project across a surrounding 'moat'. The ground floor also has a multi-purpose space that can be used for quiet contemplation during the day and public meetings or recitals at night.

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Meeting House: University of Sussex

Photo by Tony Mould

Meeting House: University of Sussex

Photo by Tony Mould

An important focal point

The upper floor contains a 350-seater interdenominational chapel with board-marked concrete, having multi-coloured glazing in the gaps between the blocks. The chapel contains original Spence fittings, including a square altar and a lectern, all set on circular pedestal three steps high. The Meeting House is an important focal point for the University campus.

Click on the photographs to open a large view in a new page.

Meeting House: University of Sussex

Photo by Tony Mould

Meeting House: University of Sussex

Photo by Tony Mould