The Willis Building in Ipswich is one of the earliest buildings designed by Sir Norman Foster and Wendy Cheeseman.
I left school in 1974 and every day on the way to my first place of work I walked past the construction site.
Willis Faber and Dumas as it was then known was opened by former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan in June 1975. The people of Ipswich were divided in their opinions; you either loved it or hated it. It was ultra-modern and sat defiantly at the entrance to the town centre, and at the time it was quite a shock to the quiet county town of Suffolk.
In 1991 The Willis Building became the youngest Grade 1 listed building in Britain and in June this year celebrated its 50th anniversary.
From the beginning I was enthralled, the building fitted in so well with its surroundings by reflecting the adjacent buildings in its smoky glass panels which cover the entire exterior. Where the building curves in Friars Street and Princes Street the reflections in the glass are particularly striking because they distort and blend together the older buildings.
The body of work I have made for our exhibition in September is a celebration of the Willis Building’s half century.
In this project I have used materials that have had a previous life and in doing so I have made another connection to an ancient oak tree which can still be found standing proudly in the nearby Christchurch Park.
When night comes down the reflections disappear and Willis is transformed into a yellow and green glow, showing off its interior. This is referenced in the colours I have used. You will be most welcome to come along to our exhibition ‘Reflections’ at the Guildhall, Bury St Edmunds from 23rd – 28th September 2025.
