From its origins as one of the foremost centres of learning in Christendom to its industrial triumph as the ‘largest shipbuilding town in the world’, Sunderland has a rich and varied history. This extraordinary story is embodied in the buildings that have shaped the city. Sunderland in 50 Buildings explores the history of this vibrant community by analysing a selection of its greatest architectural treasures. From the Saxon church of St Peter to the modern Stadium of Light, this unique study celebrates Sunderland’s architectural heritage in a new and accessible way. Architectural historian Michael Johnson guides the reader on a tour of the city’s historic buildings and modern architectural marvels. The churches, theatres, pubs, and cinemas of Sunderland’s industrial heyday are examined alongside the innovative buildings of a twenty-first-century city. Informative entries are arranged chronologically and a specially designed map appears at the beginning of the volume to show where each building is located. The text is illustrated with colour photographs and archival images showcasing the best of Sunderland’s heritage.

Michael Johnson is Assistant Professor of Design History at Northumbria University and Architecture Editor for the Routledge Encyclopaedia of Modernism.