The 1960s and 70s were a time of hope and optimism and many of us growing up at that time were inspired by the new architecture to see the world as our oyster.

We, too, could aspire to live and work in shiny modern houses and offices full of glass and light.

For a later generation, these symbols of the emergence from post-war austerity were part of their familiar landscape, loved and taken for granted, until the gaping holes left by demolition brought a shock realisation of their value.

Not all of it was good - some of it has not stood the test of time.

There are buildings that should be considered for demolition - but not the jewels in Birmingham's crown like the Ringway Centre, in Smallbrook Queensway, and Martineau Galleries, in Corporation Street.

The Ringway Centre and Martineau Galleries feature at the top of Brutiful Birmingham's watch list of later 20th century architecture, which lists some of the features of Birmingham's built environment under threat or overlooked.

Brutiful Birmingham is a campaign group established to raise awareness of - and to fight for - the preservation of the best of these buildings, in partnership with the Twentieth Century Society and Birmingham Civic Society.

Smallbrook Queensway as it looks today
Smallbrook Queensway as it looks today

The campaign group started life fighting for the retention - in the redevelopment of Paradise - of John Madin's monumental Central Library.

Sadly, we failed to save it from the jaws of the monster concrete crunchers and persuade either the city or the developers of its unique status as an internationally recognised icon of its time, Birmingham's own piece of the South Bank Centre.

Over the coming months, we will be inviting you to walk with us through our watch list and discover Birmingham's hidden gems of this period.

So, let's take a walk along Smallbrook Queensway.

Standing on Holloway Circus, you can see the full sweep of the Ringway Centre as it follows the road down towards the Bullring.

Notice the curve and the symmetry of the whole stretch - at 750 feet, it was, when constructed, one of the longest shop frontages.

From this viewpoint, you can appreciate that it is the length of the building that makes it imposing. Such a length could result in boring faceless architecture, but look up, see the detail.

The moulded concrete panels and the uplighters provide a delicacy and pattern to rival the Victorians in their decoration.

What a contrast with Scala House, next door, which has neither the great design features nor the construction merit of the Ringway Centre and has not stood the test of time.

Walking on down Smallbrook Queensway on the same side as The Holiday Inn, look over at the Ringway Centre.

There is no doubt that the ground floor shops need attention but surely this area could be a gold mine for independent shops.

It is minutes away from Birmingham's most recent retail and transport developments and surrounded by offices.

It just needs smartening up. As for the bridge link over Hurst Street, you would be forgiven for asking "How did that get there?"

In the middle of the two magnificent arms of the Ringway Centre, it appears to neither complement them nor tune with their style.

But take a closer look at the artistry of the concrete panels and the delicacy of the windows of the Ringway Centre and imagine how international and sophisticated this would look with the uplighters functioning and the shop fronts improved.

Crossing over the road, you could ask yourself "Where else might you walk the distance between Holloway Head and Debenhams without getting wet?"

Looking back across the road, we can see how this canopy is repeated in the wavy pattern on Norfolk House.

Clint Eastwood at the Albany Hotel in Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, in 1967
Clint Eastwood at the Albany Hotel in Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, in 1967

Imagine, then, the Ringway Centre - as is planned - reduced by half. We have lost the imposing length and the symmetry already, the section nearest Holloway Circus is to be replaced by a tower block, and all the concrete detail, uplighters and delicate windows overclad and obliterated.

It starts to look like a cheap hotel chain. Is this the image of the city we want to portray to those passengers emerging from the new Grand Central and New Street station?

By the time you reach Debenhams, we hope you will agree that the Ringway Centre has a style and a presence that is uniquely Birmingham - Birmingham at its most optimistic and hopeful, a spirit reflected in the power and strength of some of its later 20th century buildings.

There is no doubt that the building needs TLC and careful thought as to what will make it more financially viable - but the best features must be retained.

Just look at the success that has been achieved with the sympathetic makeover of the Rotunda, also designed by James Roberts.

Mary Keating represents the Brutiful Birmingham group, campaigning to preserve Birmingham’s last Brutalist landmarks