Hagley House, Hagley Road, Birmingham

Image: © Stephen Richards Taken: 27 Aug 2011

Now Cobalt House. By John Madin & Partners, 1963-65. A striking exterior of white concrete and (cobalt?) blue panels. The original glass mosaic panels mentioned in Pevsner appear to have been swept away in a recent refurbishment. An optical illusion suggests the buildings curves out as one ascends. The area around Five Ways was earmarked for office blocks under John Madin's 1957 plan, commissioned by the landlord, the Calthorpe Estate, eager to boost its income. Most people will think it a strange thing to say of a collection of 1960s tower blocks, but the result is of an unusually high standard. It is relatively low density, landscaped, and possesses a good mix of towers, a number of which were designed by Madin's architecture practice. Away from the towers, the area retains a pleasant residential character and some of the good early C19th houses have survived.

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