A new exhibition will celebrate some of the Sussex's most controversial buildings.

Vista Point in Angmering, the Equatorial Telescopes in Herstmonceux and the University of Sussex's Falmer House and Fulton Court will star in English Heritage's upcoming Brutal and Beautiful exhibition.

Being held at Wellington Arch in London, the event will champion 17 of the finest examples of post-war architecture in the South East.

The era has provided some of the most divisive and controversial buildings in the country with the likes of the Royal Festival Hall and Coventry Cathedral.

Elaine Harwood, English Heritage's specialist on post-war architecture, said: “The years of austerity following the war saw a functional modernism used for many buildings. Schools were light, bright and child-centred. Houses were lighter and more open-plan.”

The exhibition covers 1945 to the 1980s and celebrates 25 years since the first post-war building was given listed status.

Among those is 1960s designed Vista Point in Angmering.

Architect Patrick Gwynne's vision is heralded as one of the finest examples of luxury living from the era.

The Grade-II listed property is based around an impressive central wood-panelled spiral staircase with a glass-domed roof.

On a different scale is the Equatorial Telescopes in Herstmonceux.

Designed by Brian O'Rorke in 1953, the iconic six green domes house some of the most important telescopes in the country.

The centre was used to map the moon prior to the first Apollo landing and until 1990 the BBC linked to it several times a day to get the “pips” which were then relayed to the world.

The exhibition will also feature a number of buildings from the University of Sussex's Falmer Campus.

Largely designed by Basil Spence in the 1960s, buildings such as Falmer House and Fulton Court hold a special place in the hearts of Sussex students.

And while they may not possess the same grace and history as Oxford's dreamy spires, they too received listed status in the 1990s.

Mrs Harwood added: “Our new exhibition shows how far we have come in 25 years and why we should continue to recommend that the best buildings of this unique era be conserved.”

The exhibition will feature photography and video interviews with architects and clients to bring the history of the buildings to life.

Among the more well known designs to feature will be the Leatherhead Theatre in Surrey, Milton Keynes' Shopping Centre and Oxford's Lady Margaret Hall Library.

The exhibition will run at the Wellington Arch from today until November 24.