THE first ever dedicated ESSEX Architecture Weekend gets started next month.

Radical Essex is a two-day festival being organised to celebrate the county's pioneering role in twentieth century architecture.

The weekend long event is centred on three key sites - the Bata Estate, in East Tilbury, Frinton-on-Sea and Silver End village.

Visitors will have special access to these iconic venues first-hand, travelling between them on shuttle buses, participating in walk tours and open house visits at the The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, in Burnham-on-Crouch.

Talks and events led by historians and artists will give an insight into the profound impact these buildings had on Essex residents.

The project is being led by Focal Point Gallery, at Southend-on-Sea, in partnership with Visit Essex and Firstsite. It will run through to 2017.

Joe Hill, gallery director, who is leading Radical Essex, said: “Through this project we're excited to have the opportunity to share and celebrate the important role Essex has played in the development of contemporary architecture in the UK.

"This is apparent not only in the design styles, but in the varied and radical approaches to social structures. It is utterly unique in this regard, and yet so underrepresented.

"We hope this programme will help encourage people to reflect on the innovative past of the county, in order to promote experimental and pioneering building for the future.”

Moving through the decades, the weekend will also explore the contentious post-war New Town developments of Basildon and Harlow.

The public will be able to visit these ‘concretopias’ and those at Essex University's Colchester campus, with guided tours of the Brutalist era buildings.

Other highlights include artist commissions with the launch of a new series of work called the Radical National Trust by artist Alan Kane - a new architectural commission from Essex-based practice HAT Projects and Details, an Essex edition of the illustrated publication by Curl la Tourelle Head Architecture, of London.

ESSEX Architecture Weekend is on Saturday, September 10 and Sunday 11.

For the full programme, visit radicalessex.uk.