nostr:npub1g0tuf634rz4suczwj7kgnecr6cyt0eu9xmp3sp0fku68mqehq4msp3tvm4 
The problem with a) is that when they were built in the 1970s never-ending austerity due to ideological arguments was not yet universally accepted in the UK, so people could plan with reasonable maintenance.

ad b) which bigger public building does not have some serious issue. Don't get me started on the beautiful university buildings built in the 70s/80s in Vienna, not working air vents are the tiniest of the issues, some are literally ruins by now.