Manchester Buildings, 1966

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Manchester Buildings, 1966 This report has been digitised by Martin Dodge from the Department of Geography, University of Manchester. (Email: m.dodge@manchester.ac.uk) This work is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. 2 June 2017.



Architecture North West No. 19, October- November 1966 Special issue to commemorate the Centenary of the Manchester Society of Architects

Compiled by:

DENNIS SHARP (Editor, Manchester) JOHN BILLINGHAM DONALD BUTTRESS PETER DAVENPORT RODERICK MALES

CONTENTS Messages

2

Editorial Comment

3

A Brief History of the MSA Cecil Stewart

4

Reminiscences of a Manchester Architect Cecil Young

8

GAZETTEER A

Central Area

11

B

South Manchester

26

c

West Manchester

30

D

North Manchester

36

E

East Manchester

42

F

Stockport

45

G

Altrincham, Sale, Wythenshawe

48

H

Wilmslow, Knutsford, Northwich

53

J

Bolton, Rochdale, Bury

56

Acknowledgements, bibliography, past presidents

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Architecture North West is the official journal of the Liverpool Architectural Society, the Manchester Society of Architects, and the North Lancashire Architectural Society.

Publishing Offices Corinthian Press Ltd., 258 Gray's Inn Road, London, W.C.1. (Terminus 3311) Corinthian Press Ltd., Corn Exchange Hall, Manchester, 4. (Biackfriars 5219)

Copyright is reserved in all the contributions.

~~

1966

Typography and layout: Dennis Sharp Cover photograph: Keith Ingham

Maps: John Billingham 1


IVIESSAGES

JAMES MacCOLL, PARLIAMENTAR Y SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT I am pleased to introduce this special issue of Architecture North West which provides an up-to-date review of what has been built in Manchester in recent years. This in itself is valuable as it shows the very considerable architectural achievements which have already been made to modernise the total environment based on the milestones provided by the 1945 Plan for Manchester and the more recent Development Plan of 1961. The task of redevelopment and revitalising in a city of the size and age of Manchester is a continuing process and given the soundly based planning for the framework of the future city there is the opportunity for a great remodelling of the environment, and on this task the members of your Society and other Architects will contribute, both collectively and individually in evolving the high level of quality in both environment and architecture which will be your aim. On my visits to Manchester I have marvelled at what is now being done. The largest redevelopment area in Europe is the Hulme district of more than 300 acres now under construction, designed to modern town principles within a city. Dwellings will be of low and medium heights to contrast with the taller buildings in the adjacent University Precinct along the Oxford Road area to the entertainment area, leading onto the dramatic tall buildings in the City centre where pedestrian ways, decks and bridges will connect the central areas of the City, from the Law Courts and Civic Area to the Town Hall and on to the Art Gallery Area and Portland Street, the Cathedral Area to King Street and Market Street Area. Vast building programmes lie to hand in the immediate future. The significance and the scale of some of these are the envy of some other cities. To make the most of these opportunities involves a recognition of "place" and a depth of understanding which appreciate that the ever evolving city pattern is a place of preservation as well as change. The new Manchester that will rise must look back to the great industrial past and forward to the new technological age. I am sure you will take the fullest advantage of your opportunities and I wish you every success.

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THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL THE LORD MAYOR OF MANCHESTER ALDERMAN MRS. N. BEER, O.B.E., J.P. I am delighted to have an opportunity to write an introduction for this special issue of Architecture North West which will provide a permanent record of Manchester architects' work over the past one hundred years. In a sense, we are faced with problems very similar to those confronting our predecessors when the Society was founded in 1865. We are experiencing a period of great social change, which is emphasised and accelerated by technological advances in every field of human activity. The current clearance of vast areas of unfit property presents a fresh op;>Ortunity to make Manchester an exciting and desirable place in which to live and work. This opportunity must not be lost and in all plans for redevelopment and designs for new buildings, be it in the municipal or private spheres, we should ask and expect to be judged by the highest possible standards. This is essentially a time to look forward and to seek new forms of architectural expression : we should not be too restricted by tradition or be afraid of change and innovation, and we must certainly require all new buildings to be much more than mere functional units. It is possible by imaginative planning and the efforts and enthusiasm of all concerned to provide the setting and the incentive for the design of buildings which will both satisfy the eye and please the mind, yet serve the purpose for which they are erected. I know that throughout the membership of the Manchester Society of Architects there exists great professional integrity and creative skill and imagination and, therefore, I hope that those who commission your services will be prepared to regard themselves not merely as developers of property but, in a wide sense, as patrons of the arts. In this way we could realise, within a short period of time, a city which would bear comparison, in every sense, with any city in the world. I congratulate members of the Society on their achievements and hope that in the future all who practise the profession in the City and region will be enabled to make a contribution to the structural rebirth of the City, so that future generations will be able to echo Ruskin's words with justifiable pride, "See: this our fathers did tor us".

THE PRESIDENT, THE MANCHESTER SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS W. A. GIBBON , MA, FRIBA This special issue of Architecture North West has been produced by the Manchester Society of Architects as a permanent record of its members' work over 100 years. It illustrates, above all, the buildings which have risen in Manchester since the second world war, and it can be used as a guide book to modern architecture in the City, set against the monuments of the previous century. Much has been written of the industrial revolution and of Manchester's remarkable contribution to its architecture. But the physical changes it wrought may well be exceeded by those taking place in our own times. The City is renewing itself, assuming a fresh form, and in so doing generating a demand for building which has scarcely been equalled. We are truly participating in a renaissance which is making Manchester an incomparably finer and healthier city than it was a hundred years ago. The buildings illustrated are a testimony not only to the volume and variety of recent building here but also to the revival of architectural quality which has occurred since 1950. Among them are some which have attracted national interest and a few which have received international attention; it is, moreover, gratifying to note that the average level of quality tends to rise year by year. Yet much more remains to be done than has been achieved so far. Barren sites, derelict canals, dirty and inefficient buildings are still too widely with us. We have no cause for complacency or to relinquish our efforts. Manchester must act with still greater vigour and ask to be judged by the highest architectural standards if it is to gain a physical environment worthy of its great reputation and history. The thanks of the Society are especially due to Dennis Sharp, who has given generously of his time as Guest Editor for this issue, to his colleagues in the working group, and to members who have helped him in many ways. We are most grateful, too, to the Liverpool and North Lancashire Societies who share this magazine with us and who have allowed us to devote this complete issue to ourselves.


EDITORIAL COMMENT

Manchester is proud of its buildings. They reflect in many ways the unambiguous nature of the Manchester Man and his traditional hardheaded approach to the facts of commerce and life. There are not many beautiful or • adventurous structures in the city but there is a hardcore of fine, sturdy and competent buildings, some of which could certainly be termed elegant. In any detailed study of the architecture of a city a pattern of rises and falls in architectural quality quickly becomes apparent. This reflects, justifiably, the changing fortunes of the city as well as the skill and creative originality of the profession. Today once again we are seeing something of a renaissance in Manchester buildings with a concern for "human" considerations in design and quality in architecture. And although the results may appear to the casual observer to· be haphazard and perhaps too piecemeal there is a growing conviction among the more progressive offices that a consistent aesthetic is emerging. This is quite pronounced in some of the recent commercial buildings that have arisen in the centre of the city. But of all the buildings in the city those left by the Victorians and the Edwardians are a constant reminder of the much boasted greatness of Manchester in the last and at the beginning of the present century. Professor Nikolaus Pevsner has recently reminded us of the importance of Waterhouse's Town Hall in a • European context; it is one of the finest Gothic Revival buildings anywhere. In the area too are reminders of • the work of other eminent Victorians, Pugin, Barry, Smirke and Champneys. There is, one can still sense, a slight distrust of the work of national architects in a self-made city such as Manchester and it is with some relief that the work of local architects can be judged alongside the work of the better known names. At the turn of the century, the works of Wood, Sellers and Salomons suggest that these architects

were aware of, and in the van of, new developments in architecture. With the emphasis on London and Glaswegian activities at the turn of the century few people outside Manchester have noticed the work of these men. Edgar Wood (1860-1936), for one, ought to be represented in the books on the pioneers of new thinking in architecture. He was, of course, featured in Hermann Muthesius' famous trilogy, Das englische Haus, in copies of The Studio and in Alexander Koch's Architecture Illustrated. However, this claim to fame does not rest only with his own flat-roofed house at Hale, his use of Art Nouveau decoration and his furniture design but also with his activities within the Manchester Society of Architects of which he was President from 1911-12. If Wood's name ought to appear with Baillie Scott's in any national assessment of originality in architecture at the turn of the century, then the name of J. H. Sellers must also be linked with it because it has not yet been made clear which of these gentlemen (they worked in partnership,) was the stronger personality. Edward Salomons (1826-1906) President of the MSA from 1871-73 and 1892-4, is another formidable figure in Manchester architectural history. He was responsible, with the engineers C. D. Young & Co., for the impressive brick and iron Crystal Palace erected in 1856 at Trafford Park for the Manchester Exhibition of Art Treasures. Fired by enthusiasm for Paxton's 1851 marvel of engineering, Salomons had designed its architectural complement. Hence the wellknown saying, what London does today, Manchester does tomorrow! Seriously though, it was a compliment that was to be further extended by the design of those magnificent railway structures, Victoria (1844) and Central station (1879). The castiron tradition is strong in Manchester Buildings and mention must be made of that extravagant commercial emporium Watts' Warehouse, Piccadilly, built in 1851 by Travis and Mangnall, that was referred to by Dickens as the "Merchant

Palace of Europe". In any kind of guide that would have at least two stars. Today the city is taking on a new form. The long narrow streets and the powerful Victorian buildings are gradually being replaced by tall, smooth office buildings. Of these the CIS tower is certainly the most impressive and memorable addition to the outskirts of the city. The centre has suffered from unimaginative development since the last war, but this should not deter one from searching out the few individual office and shop buildings that are worth looking at. Further out, to the south, the University authorities have been responsible for the erection of a number of fine new buildings. It is these buildings more than any others that offer the hope for the future in Manchester. Outside Manchester, the great houses of Cheshire and North Derbyshire are too well known to mention here but it is worth noting that in Knutsford a rather idiosyncratic group of smaller buildings exist in the ltalianate/ Jugendstil mode erected for Richard Harding Watt; while in Altrincham, Hale and Alderley there are some interesting fin de sifkle and modern houses. It is to be hoped that the necessarily short but wide ranging gazetteer of Manchester buildings will strengthen the conviction that a proper record should be made of all the major structures in the Manchester area. We have seen our role, in compiling this publication, as guides or leaders clearing the way for a more definitive study. Obviously, due to the limitations of available space it has not been possible to include all the buildings we should have wished. Therefore a number of factors have been taken into consideration before selecting the buildings for final inclusion. This is not meant in any way to suggest that we are acting as judges of real architectural merit. Rather it reflects the diverse interests of the compilers and the over-riding desire for objectivity. DENNIS SHARP 3


MSA ¡ A BRIEF HISTORY Three months before the young Victoria was acclaimed Queen of England, the first Architectural Society was founded in Manchester. Its President was Richard Lane, an architect of some distinction but of limited repertoire. He built Salford Town Hall, the Friends' Meeting House in Mount Street, Cheriton Town Hall, and the Doric section of Stockport Infirmary. His work is uniformly chaste, Classical and rather dull. In his opening address he expressed his disappointment in the opportunities Manchester offered. "It affords little scope or encouragement for architectural display". Manchester, he was sure, did not lack talent, but did not use it. "If we look back to the departed glories of Grecian magnificence, when Athens possessed her greatest painters, sculptors and poets, we find it was precisely at that period when her architectural splendours were at their zenith". Manchester was still far behind Athens. Cheetham Hill was singularly unlike the Acropolis, and it was very doubtful if Richard Lane was among her greatest artists. The Society which he founded had for its purpose "the diffusing of a general taste for architecture and the fine arts as well as affording to members of the profession opportunities for friendly intercourse and material improvement; and to the younger members facilities for pursuing their studies by the establishment of a library; periodical meetings for reading papers and discussions, and occasional exhibitions and conversazione". The rooms of the Society were in Cooper Street and were open every day from 9 to 6. It was affiliated in some way with the RIBA, because "members of this Society visiting the great metropolis have free access to the rooms and meetings of the Institute". No records seem to have survived of the activities or membership of the Society, except that in 1841 one of its members, Edward Hall, won the Institute's Silver Medal for an essay, appropriately devoted to Greek Architecture. The following year marks the end of the Society, and, apart from the erection of the King Street branch of the Bank of England by Cockerell in 1845 the end of the Classical Revival. In that year Richard Lane took into his office as a pupil Alfred Waterhouse, after which nothing could be quite the same. For 20 years there was no Architectural Society in Manchester. These were the free-for-all years, stylistically and commercially. No holds were barred, and competition between architects and builders was keen and often bitter. In 1852, the members of the Liverpool Architectural and Archreological Society made a visit to Manchester, but, according to the editor of The Builder, received no welcome from their brethren. "Indeed, they (the Manchester architects) showed not the slightest interest or the smallest amount of good feeling towards the visitors". It was not until 1865 that the Manchester Society of Architects was founded. It was a strictly professional association, limited to practising principals and excluding assistants, students and others interested in architecture. The opening words of the Constitution were: "The Society shall consist only of gentlemen". The urgent need for such a Society became

4

apparent in 1865, when there was a general strike of builders who resented the introduction of mechanical hoists in the erection of the Assize Courts at Strangeways. All the buildings then being erected by Alfred Waterhouse, the architect, were affected, and other architects throughout the district were seriously concerned. In March of that year Waterhouse was acting as arbiter in connection with a dispute involving James Green, architect, and the proprietors of Todmorden Town Hall. Four other architects were concerned in the caseIsaac Holden, William Mangnall, Alexander W. Mills and James Stevens. The matter of the strike was naturally discussed, and the need for the profession to present a united front obviously considered. As a result, Isaac Holden asked Mr. Mills to call, and together they arranged to write to the leading architects in Manchester suggesting a meeting. On the 8th April, at the Clarence Hotel, the first meeting was held, at which it was resolved to form an association, and the names of 20 architects were proposed for membership. With one exception-a notable one (Edward Walters, the architect of the Free Trade Hall)-all were duly enrolled, and the first new member, James Green of Todmorden, was elected to the company. Isaac Holden was the first President, and his address was naturally largely devoted to problems of architectural practice and especially with the proper relationship of the architect to the builder. "I know, from long experience", he said, "how completely the builder is the servant of the architect, when he knows that the architect not only feels himself superior in position as to cultivated intelligence but that he is above the necessity for pecuniary advances from anyone". Isaac Holden was certainly in a position to know, for he had begun work in Manchester as a journeyman joiner and, in association with his brother who was a brick setter, he had emigrated to America to start business as Builders and Contractors. He returned to Manchester in 1838 and soon after began practice with his brother as Architects and Surveyors. In the years that followed they undertook a great deal of work, including churches, warehouses, market halls and mansions. Isaac Holden competed for the Assize Courts competition, submitting, as a sensible precaution in that time of the battle of the styles, "one Gothic and an alternative Italian design". He was responsible for the restoration of the old church of Manchester, now the cathedral, and built the great tower. Like so many eminent Victorians, he began in lowly circumstances, and now, as first President of a Society restricted to gentlemen, his primary aim seems to have been protection from builders who, like himself, might have ideas of practising as architects. The Society was to be exclusively concerned with matters of professional practice and the adoption of a standard scale of charges, so that there should be no unfair competition between members. Members would meet to discuss matters of common concern and dispute. They would not be burdened with talks and lectures. "It is more than probable",

Cecil Stewart

said Mr. Holden, "that the reading of papers, whilst they might excite our younger members, would weary, if they did not further annoy the elder, and in this way induce a neglected attendance of those who will always constitute a large portion of our members". Mr. Holden was concerned with the business of architecture rather than its philosophy or art. In any case the latter were already catered for by another Society which had been founded some four years earlier. This was the Manchester Architectural Association, which survived until 1891 , when it seems, not without opposition, to have been merged with the MSA. In many respects the Manchester Architectural Association seems to have been the true prototype of the present Society. It was much friendlier, less self-seeking and less of an exclusive gentlemen's club. Only about half of its members were principals. the rest being honorary members and assistants. There was a great number of lectures, probably far too many, because the secretary reported at the end of the first season that out of 21 meetings 14 had to be cancelled for lack of attendance. The subjects varied, and ranged from "Celtic Remains" to "Michelangelo". Laurence Booth, an architect whose work, with the sole exception of the Headquarters Building for the Manchester Regiment in Ardwick Green, is uniformly dull, spoke on "Originality", and G. S. Aitken provided a discourse on "The Limits of Truth in Architecture". To attract a better attendance, it was decided to change the time of the meetings and provide "a substantial tea at the expense of the Association". An excursion was made to Whalley Church under the guidance of the Vicar, who was subsequently made an honorary life member and the first President of the Association. The story of the Association, for want of records, is not easy to follow. There exists a volume of letters covering the period up to 1867. Its address at Lords' Chambers is recorded in the Manchester Directory until 1869. Then there is a gap until 1878, when an annual report was published which seemed to indicate activities as diverse as those recorded in the first report. Mr. Freeman presented a paper on "Lightning Conductors"; Mr. Charles Tuke lectured about "Pneumatic Savage as Invented by Captain Leimur," and Thomas Worthington simply spoke "On Things in General". Membership had increased to 70, and the Association now had a library of 37 books and conducted weekly classes in design and construction, with prizes for the best students. Just over ten years later, in 1890, the Association had increased to 91 members, of which half were practising architects, while the library had more than doubled so that there was a book for nearly every member. Laurence Booth was still lecturing, but now on "Commission". Mr. Bridlake came up from Birmingham to talk on "Dry Rot". and Mr. Banister- Fletcher spoke on "The Late Paris Exhibition". The days of the Association were nearly over. About October, 1889, a request was received from a special committee of the Manchester


MSA ¡ A BRIEF HISTORY

•

Society of Architects, inviting a deputation from the Association to draw up rules so that one Society could embrace the work of both. Various suggestions were made by the Association, and it was presumed that there would be further discussion, but the Association's views were disregarded by the Manchester Society of Architects, who rather precipitately published and distributed their own rules to all concerned. The Association thereupon immediately opened negotiations with the R.I. B.A., with a view to alliance with that body; but it was already too late. The Manchester Society of Architects had already presented its new rules to the RIBA, allowing, as was required, for different classes of membership, and before long it was the recognised allied society for the region. The Manchester Architectural Association had, as far back as 1862, along with the Northern Association and Bristol, proposed a grand scheme to be called "The Architectural Alliance", whereby closer links might be formed with the RI BA, and although in fact such an alliance was formed, and later joined by the Architectural Association in London, the Liverpool Architectural and Archreological Association and the Incorporation in Scotland, nothing much seems to have come of it. Provincial Societies generally were too diverse altogether, and as yet, in spite of a voluntary examination scheme, there were too many outside the strictly professional fold. The Manchester Society of Architects was obviously the more gentlemanly, and presumably, therefore, the more appropriate body to be allied to the RIBA. In any case, the President of the Rl BA at that time was Alfred Waterhouse, and, as a former President and still an active member of the Manchester Society of Architects, there can be no doubt which of the two bodies he would favour. It was a loyal and compact group, meeting at first in the rooms of the Royal Manchester Institution (now the City Art Gallery) and very cautious about increasing its membership. At the time of the alliance with the RIBA it had, in fact, only increased from the original 21 to 45, that is, about one member per year. A suggestion that civil engineers might be admitted to the Society was promptly vetoed, because "they (the Council) concluded that it was of the first importance to maintain the exclusive character so distinctly provided for in the Constitution of the Society". The second President, W. R. Corson, expressed the Constitution neatly. He said: "Our profession demands in us a threefold character: we are more or less, as may be, artists, men of science, and men of business; but when we formed ourselves into a Society we did so mainly in the last-named capacity. Instead of discussing the question of the invisible lines of the Parthenon, or debating on the so-called "point of departure" for modern medievalism, we were immediately brought face to face with questions of the present day. The first of these was the adoption and publication of a scale of charges". W . R. Corson's definition of the profession might, with qualifications, be applied to the first 14 Presidents. FourEdward Salomons, Thomas Worthington,

Alfred Waterhouse and G. T. Redmayne, were more or less, as may be, artists; threeAlexander Mills, A. Royle and J. Medland Taylor, by the extent of their practices, were certainly more rather than less men of business. How many were men of science is less easy to determine. Edward Salomons had followed in the steps of Paxton with a remarkable iron and glass house for the Manchester Art Treasures Exposition in 1857. W. R. Corson was responsible for the conduct of some curious and successful experiments on bricks "made by a machine", and James Murgatroyd foresaw, in 1873, the potential use of concrete. "We have", he said, "all the materials cheap and at hand . Broken stone, rubbish from quarries could be procured in any quantity, and with lime, clay and coal within easy reach, there is no reason why in this district the manufacture of cement on a large scale should not be pursued. For suitable kinds of buildings I say, cement concrete might successfully be used for walls, floors and roofs with the advantage of securing greater rapidity of building, the use of less experienced labour, greater certainty of quality and good resistance to the weather. The sooner we recognise its value as a building material and learn how to treat it the better". The trouble with too many architects, according to Murgatroyd, was that they "occupy their time of study by attention to drawing, to the exclusion of acquiring a sound knowledge of construction and materials". It may be said that the members of the Manchester Society of Architects were representative of their age. In retrospect, much of what they had to say seems unbearably pompous and self-assured. They were fighting against builders and upstarts of all kinds for the recognition of a profession which still had no legal status. Many voluntarily sat the examinations of the RIBA, although this was not necessary to become members. They built up Manchester with an astonishing variety of architecture, and some, notably Thomas Worthington and Alfred Waterhouse, built a good deal elsewhere to achieve national, rather than local, recognition. The alliance with the RIBA resulted in a complete change of character in both institutions. The Rl BA became less of an exclusive London club, and the MSA began to take an interest in affairs of national, rather than local, concern. The membership, by the absorption of the Manchester Architectural Association, was more than doubled, from 45 to 97 members, and many of the features of the Association were assimilated into the newly-incorporated MSA Sessional papers, the library, and student competitions became regular features. In 1882, the Rl BA had established an obligatory examination to qualify for Associateship, and three years later the MSA introduced the first provincial examinations under the direction of the Chairman of the Board, Arthur Cates, who came up from London specially for the occasion. Of the five cand idates, all were successful, and two- Paul Ogden and Edgar Wood- later became Presidents of the Society. The number of candidates who presented them -

Top. portrait of Edgar Wood (1860- 1936). Ab ove, interior of 1857 Manchester Art Treasurers Exh1b1tion Hal l; Architect. Edw ard Sal omons. Bel ow, The Triumphal Arch. Old Trafford, open ing by Queen Victoria and Prince A lbert

5


MSA ¡ A BRIEF HISTORY selves for examination in the years that followed were disappointingly small. This was perhaps inevitable, as long as the title of architect could be used by anyone, irrespective of education or training, and since the Manchester Society continued to accept candidates for membership solely on the basis of "being engaged in the study or practice of architecture as a profession". The absence of any school of architecture, or any authorised system of training, led to the production of a remarkable, and in many ways admirable, syllabus of study for articled pupils, in which the duties of the student and the employer were clearly defined. These studies were to be supplemented by classes at the School of Art and the Technical School. The course took six years, and curiously resembles that which, under the title of "A Combined Course of Training in Architecture", was to be established at the College of Art, with the support of the College of Technology and the approval of the Council, eighty years later. The amount of time and energy devoted by the Council in devising competitions and awarding prizes and scholarships far exceeded that of the students. Every year the presidential addresses bewailed the absence of enthusiasm. "Bestir yourselves I" exhorted Thomas Worthington. "A great lassitude and indifference seems to run through the body of students. The question of continuing the prizes must be carefully considered". The fault did not lie solely with the students. John Holden for years offered a prize of five guineas for a design in the Classical mode. There were no competitors, nor, in the hurly-burly of fin-de-siecle design, could any be expected . In 1889 the Council clubbed together to provide a travelling studentship of 50 guineas, "in the hope of such a response as will encourage the Society to persevere in the efforts they are making". The subject of the competition was a measured drawing of one of the circular staircases in the Town Hall, but although "there must be hundreds of pupils and students in this district, only five competed, which appears to indicate an unwillingness on the part of the younger members of the profession to exert themselves or to curtail their ordinary pleasures". At the turn of the century a students' committee was formed, which arranged and delivered its own sessional papers. These seem to have been extremely popular, and of more topical appeal than those offered by the senior members. There was a debate on "Which is the more useful to studentssketching, measuring or photography?" "It proved very successful. and led to interesting discussions". The liveliness of this committee under the chairmanship of Gerald Salomons (Sanville) relieved the Council of much of its moral responsibility, and left it free to consider other important developments. The most significant of these were the establishment of a Chair of Architecture at Owen's College and the appointment of a City Architect. The former was achieved in 1903, after prolonged negotiations and the aid of subscriptions from the MSA members, by the appointment of Professor Capper, who came from McGill University. The idea of a

6

Above, staircase. Manchester Town Hall . Below. main entrance to Reform Club. Edward Salomons. Architect. Opposite page, house design. Washway Road. Sale. R. A. Cordingley, 1937


MSA · A BRIEF HISTORY City Architect was not so popular. "What sort of a man is to hold the office 7 Is he to decide the future artistic development of the city 7 Is he to design all the public buildings and edifices under the control of the Corporation 7 It would be a death blow, and architecture would be cribb'd, cabin'd and confin'd to one line of thought". The Council need not have worried; the architecture in Manchester in the first decade of the century may have been cribbed, but it was certainly not confined. Manchester was spreading far beyond its administrative boundaries, and in such an uncontrolled manner that in 1908 a special committee was formed to consider • the subject of town planning. This committee, unlike most, decided to present its ideas by a practical demonstration. Elaborate drawings were prepared by Edgar Wood for • different areas as yet not built upon . These "suggestive plans" were exhibited in the Town Hall, and at the Royal Academy under the auspices of the International Town Planning Conference, where "they were much admired". They were the first of many plans prepared by the Society, including a regional scheme drawn up at the instigation of the RIBA during the last war. True to much of the history of town planning in this country, none came to anything . But all the causes for which the Society fought were not fruitless. In 1906, the old town hall in King Street was scheduled for demolition to make possible the widening of Cross Street, and although it could not be saved in its entirety, the Society was able, at some considerable cost to its members, to secure the preservation and re-erection at Heaton Park of the central facade. Throughout its formative years, the Society had no home. Meetings were held at the Royal Manchester Institution, at the Diocesan Chambers, at various Secretaries' offices, and for a time at the rooms of the Literary and Philosophical Society. The rental of these rooms was a perennial source of discontent. Early in 1906 a committee was formed to acquire new chambers, and a building in Mulberry Street was very nearly purchased because it included some cellars which, it was thought, would easily be converted to accommodate a billiards table and thereby provide a useful income. Suddenly, it was learned that, following the death of A. W. Mills, a founder-member and the architect of the Royal Exchange, the Society had received a legacy of £8,000 "to provide a practical and certain income". Mr. Mills had also arranged that the trustees should select such of his furniture, books. pictures and ornaments as would be suitable for furnishing rooms for the Geographical Society. Immediately the committee decided to rent some accommodation from the Geographicai.Sa.ciety in its recentlycompleted premises at the Parsonage. On 11th October, 1906, Thomas Worthington formally opened the doors of "these rooms, so well adapted for the future use of our members". The library was amplified by Mr. Mills' books and by a handsome donation of folios, all strictly Classical, from John Holden. In 1912 they were all accommodated in bookcases specially designed by J. Henry Sellers, a pioneer of the modern movement and partner

of Edgar Wood. The funds of the Society were further augmented by a generous bequest from Thomas Groom Barker, an old pupil of Edward Walters. Not all the Society's activities were held in the rooms at the Parsonage. Every year (except during the last war) there was a Dinner and a Soiree. At first the Dinners were exclusively male gatherings ; wives were not invited, and the first woman member, Miss A. D. Faraday, was not elected until 1918. The Dinners included a great·many toasts, which were interspersed with songs and recitations, and the menu, at the express command of the Council, was in English . The enthusiastic Education Committee organised visits, usually to local buildings, but on two occasions ran four-day sketching tours in Normandy. The response, like that for the competitions, was invariably disappointing, although "for those who came, most rewarding". Of greater signif icance were the annual British Architects' Conferences. It was as early as 1886, that is five years, before the alliance, that the MSA instituted the idea of a Conference, primarily to consider the federation of Societies. Unfortunately this Conference never materialised, and it was not until 1932, under the Presidency of Hubert Worthington, son of Thomas, that the delegates assembled in Manchester.

POSTSCRIPT

The next occasion, the Rl BA Conference was held in the city, was in 1960 during Professor Cordingley's presidency when the theme was appropriately "Urban Renewal " introducing the era of major redevelopment in British cities. The events of the last few years are probably too near to place in historical perspective. In 1956 a Joint Committee of members of the Society and the Building Trades Employers' Federation met under the presidency of Leonard Howitt, the then City Architect, to consider the creatio nof a Building Centre in Manchester. In the end, however, it was largely as a result of an independent suggestion by John Griffiths, formerly a student at Manchester University, that the Centre was established in 1960. As a result, in 1963, the Society vacated the rooms it had occupied at the parsonage for 57 years and moved to the Building Centre and now occupies two rooms for use as a techinical library and committee room and for use by the permanent secretary. Educationally, the Society supported the inauguration in 1958 of an entirely new "combined" course of architectural education, based on the College of Art but depending on close co-operation between the offices and the college for the effectiveness of its training. The boundaries of the Society were adjusted due to the inauguration of an independent society based on Preston, but the relationship between the societies and the Liverpool Architectural Society have been strengthened through the establishment of Architecture North West, a regional journal aiming to promote good architecture and to represent the profession in the area. This journal heralded the issue of Regionalism within the profession in the North West, the future implications of which remain to be seen. But whatever the name of the Society it will no doubt live up to the original aims which were: "to support and protect the character, status and interest of architects practising in, in or the vicinity of Manchester, and to promote personal acquaintance and good feeling between members of the Society".

This article was written by the late Cecil Stewart in 1962 for the MSA Kalendar. The postscript has been added. We would like to pay tribute here to his work both as an educator but more especially as a scholar and particularly for his study and writings on Manchester Buildings; these are invaluable to anyone seeking knowledge of the city and have been an important source of material for this publication.

7


MSA ¡ REMINISCE NCES BY CECIL YOUNG According to the MSA Kalendar I became a student member in 1908. Ernest Bower Norris took me to the Society's Rooms in the Parsonage when I attended a meeting for the first time. The occasion was a criticism of students' designs submitted for the President's prize, the subject being "An English gentleman's country house". Paul Ogden was the President and the prize was ten guineas. Hubert Worthington won the first prize in the senior section, with a Georgian type house; J. B. F. Cowper must have been a close runner-up, with a mullioned manor house much influenced by Percy Worthington in whose office I believe he was working. E. B. Norris won the junior prize with a Georgian house. The presentation was of such a high standard compared with what I was accustomed to that it was devastating to me, but very beneficial for my future as I went home with a determination to get level with those giants as quickly as possible. As an articled pupil of the Diocesan Surveyor for Manchester, Richard Bassnett Preston, my outlook was very restricted. The practice was almost entirely concerned with Nee-Gothic churches, with an occasional rectory: to quote Cecil Stewart "impeccably correct in detail, built to last until the Day of Judgement, and very, very dull I": Built generally of Accrington bricks with terra-cotta window jambs, mullions and tracery and, internally, arcades in similar materials. The terra-cotta blocks, filled with fine concrete, simulated the stonework dressings of a Gothic building. Open timber roofs of Oregon pine, covered with Westmorland slates, ensured that no harm should come to the structure below. Woodwork fittings were detailed meticulously, leaving little enjoyment or scope to the craftsman. The Rooms in the Parsonage were opened in October, 1906, by Thomas Worthington. They had a friendly atmosphere, as besides the excellent library (very soon to be housed in bookcases designed by James Henry Sellers) they had a large room for meetings, with a billiard table at one end, and a dining room. There was a wonderful feeling of fellowship between senior members and students. On a memorable occasion when the recently unveiled memorial to King Edward VII in Platt Fields was being discussed at lunch a student who shall be nameless chipped in with his opinion that the base was the bloodiest thing he had ever seen. A deathlike silence followed. Then Sellers said, very quietly: "Young man, don't you be so flippant; I designed the base". Until the outbreak of war in 1914 a student member could take full advantage of any facilities for education organised by the Society by competing for all the students' prizes: sketches, measured drawings and three designs in each session; first in the junior and then in the senior class. To encourage students to enter for all the prizes each entry was awarded a number of marks and the highest aggregate won the Society's prize of ten guineas, a considerable amount in those days. Summer visits were invaluable experience for the student. The first evening visit I recollect was to Ashburne Hall (designed by Percy

B

Worthington in 1909 but added to in 1924 and 1931 ). Unfortunately the Cotswold slates covering the steeply pitched roofs would not stand up to the Manchester atmosphere and these have since been replaced by Westmorland slates. A whole day's visit to Ilk ley is memorable: it was to see a Bodley church and a Lutyens house, "Heathcote", a very costly exercise in the Palladian manner. A Saturday afternoon visit was to Turley Garth, Delamere, designed by C. E. Mallows, a very good architect and garden designer : clipped thuya hedges, mullioned windows and an oak Lutyens grand piano stick in my mind, particularly the piano as a member of our party offered to sing and was accompanied by a daughter of the house. He had rather a high pitched voice and sang, I feel sure, "Come into the garden, Maud". All summer visits were not well attended . On a visit to Warrington to see Gibbs' Town Hall the Mayor received the members, supported by the Town's brass band. The Society was represented by Mr. Hennings (the President) and one student. The winter sessions provided excellent lectures and discussions. An outstanding one to me was by Sir John Burnet on his British Museum extensions, illustrated by large isometric drawings or perspectives. Gustave Agate and Theo Halliday, both to be Presidents in the future, entertained the Society on more than one occasion to musical evenings, either chamber music at the Rooms or a concert at the Midland Hotel in the banqueting hall, which in those days ran through two floors with galleries on three sides and a stage on the fourth . The theme of the concerts was to show the relation between Music and Architecture: perhaps we were not altogether convinced but there does seem a present-day relationship between the Beatles and a lot of modern architecture. Looking back, the students lacked a guiding hand to direct them. The individual student could be swayed this way and that according to a passing influence which fired his imagination. The influence might be Nee-Gothic, Neo-Classic, "Wrenaissance", a house in Country Life or illustrations in the building papers. Photography had not attained its present economic standard and most building papers then employed black and white artists on their staff : Raffles Davidson on "The British Architect", Curtis Green on "The Builder". F. L. Griggs was illustrating "Highways and Byways" and, in Manchester, Roger Oldham, a very entertaining member of the MSA, illustrated "Picturesque Cheshire" by Coward and was making perspectives for most Manchester architects. There is an amusing true story about John Brooke, President in 1912 to 1914, sending Raffles Davidson to make sketches of a house at Disley he had recently designed. On handing in his card, "Raffles Davidson, The British Architect", permission was refused by the lady of the house as she considered it a gross piece of impertinence for anyone to dub himself "The British Architect". Batsford, in 1949, collected Curtis Green's sketches and published them in book form, I rather think at the suggestion of Professor C. H. Reilly.

Traditional load-bearing structures were being challenged by the introduction of structural frames of steel or ferro concrete. I imagine the YMCA was the first large building constructed in Manchester with reinforced concrete, the outside casing being terra-cotta . The architects were Woodhouse, Corbett & Dean. Corbett, who was responsible, unfortunately did not survive the first war. Isaac Taylor had the courage to employ similar construction for a glass warehouse for Pilkingtons (faced with brickwork) at St. Helens. In spite of the decline of the Gothic revival, there was still a strong Neo-Gothic torch being carried by Bodley, Temple Moore, Walter Tapper (with a preference for English) and Giles Scott. In the Society itself, Harold Gibbons, who had won the Pugin Studentship in 1903, was in practice with his father and was a powerful influence at the Rooms. He was a brilliant draughtsman and was saturated in English Gothic; he hated Gothic vaults being reproduced in reinforced concrete and advised an eminent architect who was finding it difficult to remove the shuttering to "burn the bloody stuff out and see what happens". About this time Temple Moore was adding a nave to Hexham Abbey which was illustrated in the Building News on the 7th August, 1908, with drawings by Harold Gibbons, and later on, in 191 0, St. Wilfrid's Church, Harrogate, was in the Royal Academy Exhibition, again with an excellent perspective by Harold Gibbons. St. Augustine's, Pendlebury (one of Bodley's best churches) already existed and was an inspiration to any student who visited it. Paul Ogden was very much the father of the Society, a scholar and a character. He informed his clients before accepting a commission that he would not be held responsible for the accuracy of the Bills of Quantities, for any chimney smoking or for dry rot that might eventually occur. There had recently been a law case where the architect lost and was made nearly bankrupt. He designed the Sunday School of St. Michael's, Angel Meadow, a brick building with stone mullioned windows which was built on his own module, probably a brick dimension; a wooden gauge was given to each workman to work to. Reinforced concrete must have been anathema to him. Edgar Wood and his partner, James Henry Sellers, were much more outward looking; they had built a number of houses with flat concrete roofs. Edgar Wood's own house at Hale, built in 1914, never received the publicity it well deserved as architecture was brought to a standstill by the First World War. It amused Edgar Wood to tell the cabby at Altrincham Station to drive to the ugliest house in Hale. The house is little altered today but the flanking walls to Hale Road have been lowered on either side of the entrance gateway and the wood panelled doors have been replaced with wrought-iron gates. The necessity for the insulation of flat concrete roofs had been little considered and Edgar Wood admitted that he was responsible for heating the Hale district. Edgar Wood was a born artist. Sellers was a scholar and a master of detail, which was


MSA REMI NISC ENCE S possibly the reason why he never won any of the big competitio ns he entered for; he could not confirm to currant architectural opinions, he had his own opinions and the idiosyncracies of the assessor meant nothing to him. As a furniture designer Sellers was outstandin g and he was fortunate in having a number of clients with deep pockets who could indulge his talents. The city is fortunate in having some very beautiful examples of his skill in its possession at Heaton Park, where, through the influence of Edgar Wood, the fa~ade of the old Town Hall has been preserved. Edgar Wood, I believe, served his articles in • the office of Murgatroy d & Mills, the architects for the Royal Exchange before its extension by Bradshaw, Gass & Hope. Sellers worked in York in the office of Walter Brierley • who had an extensive practice in Yorkshire. Like Sir Ninian Camper, who was an architect in his own right, Sellers never bowed the knee to the Institute. Unlike a young Nigerian architect recently working in England as an assistant who, on being criticised by his chief, replied: "But I am a qualified architect by examination". In 1913, Laycock, in partnership with Harold France, designed the Roby Chapel in Dickenson Road, and the adjoining school, a most interesting group of buildings and well worth a visit today. Layc:>ck took up etching and promised well beth as an artist and an architect but his health broke down and he left Manchester for the south of Englar d, where I think he died during the first war. His hand is recognisable in a chapel in Ashley Road, Hale. Gerald Sanville was in partnership with Frank Oakley, who had worked under Crowther on the restoration of Manchester Cathedral, and his father was the architect for t~e Reform Club in King Street. With this background Sanville gave of his best to encourage student members of the Society in the advancement of architecture. Another active member of the Society was Francis Jones and I very much regret that he is not here today to help me in my reminiscences as he has been an integral part of the MSA throughou t my membership. When the First World War started on the 4th August, 1 914, the lamp of architecture was extinguished, never to be re-lighted for many of our most promising young architects and students, amongst them Charles Gascoyne, Alec Horsnell and many others. In our own Society, Corbett did not return and we very nearly lost Hubert Worthingt on who was severely wounded. In the years to come the Society without Hubert's enthusiasm and buoyant spirit would have been dull indeed. During the war a number of practising architects, without work, were employed on a Town Planning Survey and used the large room at the Parsonage which had been fitted out with trestle tables as a studio where students could prepare sc~. e11es and get the criticism of senior members; it died with the war. There are now 20 years of activity to account for in the MSA before another war interfered with architectural progress. In 1920, I utyens designed the Cenotaph and

9


MSA REMI NISC ENCE S many architects were busy on war memorials . A number of clients had done pretty well during the war, which helped the architect to re-establis h himself. Housing the people was a major occupation for members of the MSA. Panels of architects were formed to cope with the Mancheste r problem. The main difficulty was to distribute work on each scheme evenly amongst members of these panels and it usually ended in the dominatin g personality contributin g the bulk of the work himself; financially this was a most unsatisfac tory arrangeme nt for the leader. The builder did pretty well on an ever-rising market. I remember a builder patting the wheel of his car and saying " the British working man gave me this" (I couldn't afford a car). He had tendered for a housing scheme on the basis of 350 bricks being laid per day. The scheme was held up by the Governme nt owing to the excessive costs generally. When the restriction was removed the bricklayers had the wind up and laid 700 bricks a day. During a depression the Governme nt clamped down on building loans and several hundred architects for the LCC were sacked. Rather than sack assistants we were urged by the Institute to tighten our belts, which we did, and the MSA was asked to help to its utmost. The response was wonderful and before long we had ÂŁ500 in the fund with no application s for assistance. The fund eventually was disbursed on ageing architects in financial difficulties . Ship Canal House in King Street, designed by Harry S. Fairhurst & Son, was amongst the first of the multiple storey office buildings which were to herald the alteration in the skyline of the centre of Mancheste r. 1929 saw the completion of the Masonic Temple in Bridge Street, designed by Percy Worthingt on . It is undoubted ly the most monumen tal Neo-Class ic building in Mancheste r and a delightful place in which to hold the Society's annual dinner which we :lid for many years. In the same year Lutyens :lesigned the Midland Bank in King Street. In the words of Goodhart- Rende! " the Jictorial value of Lutyens' buildings is Jutstandin g, no other architect of his time 1aving equalled him in poetic imaginatio n or 1appy ingenuity" . ncidentally , it is constructio nally amongst the >est buildings in the city. -hese three buildings, Ship Canal House, the Vlasonic Temple and the Midland Bank, have me thing in common, a heavy casing of 'ortland stone with a backing of brickwork, nd all supported on structural steel frames, 1dicating the end of an epoch . The cost of eavy ashlar casing makes its use prohibitive nd the mason as such is a thing of the past. he pre-war scheme to provide a combined eference Library and Art Gallery on the iccadilly site was abandoned and another ompetition was held in 1931 for an Art ,allery only. Berry Webber was placed first ut the scheme was held in abeyance and nally abandoned in 1938 ; it was in this ~ar that the Town Hall extension by Vincent arris was completed . Also in 1938 Kendal lilne's new building by J. W. Beaumont & Jns was structurall y completed but it was )

not opened as a store until after the war. The Daily Express building, designed by Sir Owen Williams, was constructe d about the same time and survived the Mancheste r blitz in spite of its vulnerabili ty ; it has not been dated by the passage of time. Much more use was made of the architect in the 1939-45 war than in the first war. Air-raid shelters had to be constructe d , camouflag e was required and eventually there was plenty of war damage. Building connected with munitions and food production had no difficulty in obtaining licences and the Home Guard took up any spare time. With the ending of the war, there are still 20 years to account for. If you were a member of an established firm you were soon smothered with work and in the position to turn down jobs; there were insufficien t qualified architects and assistants to carry out the work according to pre-war standards. All the schools of architectur e were full up and overflowin g. It was impossible to sit back and quietly consider what approach should be made to a new job. For example, when licensing was still on, a client obtained a licence on a 1 /500 scale block plan for a factory; with working drawings still to be produced I was instructed to buy up bricks, sand, cement and gravel. Fortunately , I had a contractor honest beyond suspicion and a client who trusted us both . The architect had to be agile and accommod ate himself to the materials available, if necessary changing the form of constructio n in mid-stream . Local Authority housing again became a priority and many private architects' bread and butter. As an encourage ment, bronze medals were awarded for the best schemes. School building became the architect's happy hunting ground and is still, though the Departmen t's standard is so low that an architect with traditional experience finds it difficult, if not impossible , to toe the line. The entrance of the developer into the arena has made good architectur e more difficult than ever. The Piccadilly site is one example. The rat race has begun ; the tempo is increased . Lutyens' great cathedral at Liverpool has had to be abandoned on the grounds of cost, and Gibberd has had the difficult job of erecting a very exciting reinforced concrete cathedral on the existing foundation s, no doubt much more in tune with this generation and the Liverpool Sound. In the last 20 years we have seen the passing away of craftsmans hip in the traditional trades with a correspon ding deteriorati on in the quality of traditional forms of building . Payment by quantity is the surest way of producing bad brickwork ; we now have travelling gangs of bricklayers whose only object is to get away with big pay packets regardless of the quality of their workmans hip, in which they have no pride. After the first war. when local authority housing was in full swing, I have seen a Clerk of Works put his foot against a recently built 11-in. cavity wall and tell the bricklayer to try again. Such behaviour today would bring a job to a standstill. It would be referred to as a clear case of victimisati on of the worker, whereas it is the public that is the victim and cannot

strike back. Whilst money is so very often the beginning and the end today, the public must be prepared for a much lower standard until a substitute for traditional work is provided by factory-bu ilt parts in sufficient quantities and varieties. What a lot of personal enjoyment is being lost by replacing the individual' s efforts by a machine I The creator of the machine ultimately will be the only one to have any fun . In spite of this gloomy outlook for our future we have been shown in such recent buildings as the Williams Deacon's Head Office in Moseley Street and Barclay's Bank in York Street that it is still possible to achieve a standard of workmans hip comparabl e to the best work of the past, although at a very high cost. We are too close to the sweeping changes that are taking place in Mancheste r now, at the University for instance, to evaluate the ultimate results . The landscapin g of Princess Parkway is undoubted ly still Mancheste r's greatest achieveme nt in planning, and the planting of small flowering trees and shrubs amongst the Wythensh awe housing is unbelievab ly beautiful this spring . by Cecil Young

Page 9, overleaf. top : Doorway. General Post Office. bottom. Ashburne Hall This page. below. warehouse bu ild mg. Booth Street. by Edward Salomons.


GAZETTEER OF MANCHESTER BUILDINGS

INTRODUCTION TO THE GAZETTEER Three things should be said at the outset. Firstly, the majority of entries are for buildings constructed during the hundred years in which the Manchester Society of Architects has been in existence. Secondly, the subdivision of the area into nine sections has little significance beyond that of geographical convenience and finally each division has been prefaced so that a non-specialist visitor has a check Jist of the most important things to see in these localities which date from before 1866. More information may be obtained from other sources, some of which are listed in the bibliography. Central Area map on back inside cover.

Part of the South West Pros pect of Manchester. by Robert Whitworth, 1729

INTRODUCTION TO CENTRAL AREA (A) In spite of its ancient, Roman and medieval past, of which little solid remains, it would be wrong to think of Manchester as anything other than a great commercial and manufacturing centre. Industry was well established here by the 16th century and since the middle of the 18th century has been the prime cause of the rapid expansion which created one of the world's great cities • from a mere village. To the well informed present -day visitor the architectural legacy of the past is only obvious when the city is carefully observed. The multitude of factors wh ich have - influenced the growth of the place cannot all be seen at once and because there has been, and always will be continuous change architectural evidence of any particular period is often fragmentary. There may sometimes be a case for preservation; there is usually a case for proper record ing of old buildings prior to demolition (hardly ever done) but the greatest need is for sensitive integration of new work into the existing environment. Herein is the greatest tragedy so far as urban redevelopment is concerned. Whether the fault lies with the present system of land tenure, with rapac ious developers, overworked, unskilled local authorities or public indifference, the results are all around

11


INTRODUCTION ¡ CENTRAL AREA

A

us in the vivid architectural jungle that is Manchester. Of the medieval period little remains other than the strongly discernible street pattern of the centre. The parish and collegiate church was raised to cathedral rank in 1848 (1) but it remains essentially a great 15th century "wool" church. Its best features are the splendid screens and choir stalls, as good of their kind as anything elsewhere. The fabric has been heavily restored on three occasions and resurfaced to such an extent that it is virtually a modern structure; the repairs after recent war damage have left the interior in a rather depressing state. The area around the church suffered badly from Victorian rebuilding; new streets and the closing in of the River lrwell altered the topography thereabouts very much for the worse. Chetham's Hospital, originally the manor house of Manchester and later the collegiate buildings is a fascinating and important though neglected group. The cloisters, dormitory and great hall are especially fine and there is an interesting library founded in the 17th century. Until late Georgian times. when brick began to replace all else, Manchester was substantially a town of timber buildings. The only tattered fragment left is the Old Wellington Inn near the market place, whilst another house was re-erected in Bury New Road some years ago. As the 18th-century town grew it was nearly all haphazardinfilling and overbuilding of open spaces between and along the streets. The result was a labyrinth-like congestion spreading outwards mainly along Deansgate and Market Street. St. Annes Square and Church (laid out out in 1712) was the only piece of planned development though other improvements and street widenings occurred especially towards the close of the century. The advance of trade was accelerated first by the canals (lrwell and Mersey Navigation 1721 and the Bridgwater 1759-65 (2) then the Turnpike Roads and by rail from 1830 when the Liverpool and Manchester Line was opened. (Liverpool Road Station survives as the earliest passenger station in existence). Completing the vast web of communications, the construction of the Ship Canal in 1894 turned the city into a considerable port. A few houses of the Georgian period survive (3) but a majority of the public and ecclesiastical buildings have vanished. Early in the 19th century Manchester enjoyed a considerable reputation as a political, scientific and cultural centre. The Portico Library (1805) by Thomas Harrison of Chester, The Royal Institution (1824) (4) now the City Art Gallery, and the Athenaeum of 1836 (5) both by Sir Charles Barry, are evidence enough of this. Francis Goodwin's Old Town Hall (1819) demolished early this century, is perhaps the greatest single loss from this period. After a pause due to the Napoleonic wars the town developed outwards on more regular lines especially to the south east. Mosley Street became an important axis, its end closed by James Wyatt's St. Peters and lined with graceful and substantial houses. A superb map by Laurent made in 1793 gives a good idea of the position reached at the end of the Georgian period, with the old town intact but decaying and the grid of new and projected streets reaching out into the open country. As most chen happened the initial scale of development was not maintained; smaller, cramped properties squeezed themselves in between the generously laid out streets, manufacturing premises got mixed

12

2,3,5,7

4,6,8


A

INTRODUCT ION · CENTRAL AREA up with residential ones and the new suburbs declined almost before they were established. Closer in, giant warehouses, at first Classical or ltalianate, later Gothic or in no style at all, replaced the houses of the new manufacturing gentry who migrated at first to villas in Fallowfield and Broughton and later to Bowden and Alderley Edge following the new railway lines. There was no comparable outward movement of the lower middle classes until the 1890's when the cheap electric tramways opened up the red brick suburbs. The very poor continued to live in the soiled central areas or in the squalor of the back-to -back industrial housing thrown up in the boom years of the 1840's. It is only • in this century (leaving aside the reforming zeal of the occasional housing trusts of the last) that the poor have been moved out to dormitory estates at Burnage, Wythenshawe and elsewhere. From the middle period of Victorian commercial prosperity come some of the best surviving buildings in the city, by such architects as Lane, Gregan and WaltersManchester men whose work has solid distinctive qualities. The Bank of England in King Street by C. R. Cockerell of 1845 (6). Williams Deacons on Mosley Street by Edward Walters (7) finished in 1860 and Heywoods Bank, 1848, by John E. Gregan (8 ) in St. Ann Street are all fine structures. Good warehouses are too numerous to mention but a few, Browns on Portland Street (1851) by Walters or that at No. 16 Mosley Street by the same architect, the first (1839) in the "palazzo" style. The Free Trade Hall (1853) on Peter Street (9) is perhaps Walter's greatest work though regrettably only the fa((ades remain of the original design . Watt's Warehouse (1856) on Portland Street by Travis and Mangnall is the most impressive of all, if its architectural propriety is somewhat questionable (10). The tradition of large commercial palaces continued until the end of the century when a nasty kind of terra-cotta and brick construction, flaming red, was in favour. A handful of other good buildings prior to 1866 need a notice. The ancient church of Salford, Sacred Trinity, despite several restorations retains its mid-18th-century flavour tolerably well ; the "Gothick" tower of 1751 is of interest. Further out along Chapel Street is St. John's Roman Catholic Cathedral (1845) by Hadfield and Weightman. It has elements copied from well known medieval originals; the tower from Newark, choir from Selby and the nave from Howden and is a prime example of the Victorian fallacy (pointed out by Pugin) that "an amalgam of all that is best" can produce something better. St. Philips, nearby (1822) by Sir Robert Smirke (11) is one of two Commissioners' churches left in Manchester out of six. (The other is St. Georges Hulme (12, not illus.) of 1826 by Francis Goodwin, in the florid gothic style) . Smirke used parts of the same design no less than five times in churches up and down the country. Pugin's poor little • church of St. Wilfred Hulme is worth notice for historic reasons only and most of the best churches in Manchester belong to our main period and some of them are noted elsewhere. As Manchester spread outwards, its suburbs ever thickening, many earlier buildings, and whole villages like Didsbury and Cheetham, were engulfed ; some mention of the most important of these individual items will be found in the eight sectional introductions following .

11,10

9

13


CENTRAL AREA

A

13

ALBERT

MEMORIAL

1867

Architect: Thomas Worthington A spire 70 ft. high rises from an open arched, four-sided canopy which forms a shrine to house a statue of the Prince Consort. The base rests on a platform of five steps, and there are massive brick foundations built on the rock 17 ft. below the pavement. The detailing is Florentine Gothic and all available surfaces are richly decorated with heraldry, medallions and figures, depicting the family connections and interests of the Prince. This was the first major memorial in the country designed to commemorate the Prince Consort and was also the first building to be erected in the newly cleared Albert Square. In recent years the four turrets on the corner piers have been removed, resulting in the present mutilated appearance. 14

THE TOWN Albert Square

HALL

1868

4rchitect: Alfred Waterhouse Manchester Town Hall, recognised as one of the great monuments of Victorian England, was the result of a two-stage competition held in 1867. Its architect, Alfred Waterhouse, had already gained a considerable reputation for his Manchester Assize Courts, begun in 1859, the main hall of which was described JY Ruskin as "the most truly magnificent 3othic apartment in Europe". His competition :lesign for the Town Hall, this time with =rench rather than Italian overtones, was Jraised by the assessors, Professor Donaldson md G. E. Street, not so much for its elevational ;haracter as for the ingenuity and convenience Jf its plan, its economic practicability and ts "sufficiency of window light". While the Jlan is certainly masterly-the great central 1all separated by courtyards from the ;urrounding offices, the whole me king clever Jse of the awkward, almost triangular sitehe modern visitor is struck most by the great 1uality of the building's internal design. )uperb detailing, imaginative yet always :ontrolled, and a dynamic handling of space :haracterise the ground and first (or main) loors, while the stairways which link them 1re to be counted among the relatively few nasterpieces of High Victorian Gothic. The \lbert Square front, finely conceived and lisciplined, provides one of the most mpressive external views; less well-known 1ut equally impressive are the courtyards 1roviding light to the core of the building and pproached through a low unobtrusive entrance rom Cooper Street. In the original ompetition design the assessors had riticised the handling of these-" Good, olid, simple, but really architectural character ; what they require". Waterhouse took their omments to heart; but not in the matter of simplicity", for with their romantic bridges, oloured tile banding and great areas of 1tricately leaded glass they provide the chest visual feast in the whole building. 1/ork commenced in 1868, the foundation tone being laid on 26th October of that year, nd the building was officially opened with a isplay of civic pageantry on 13th September, 877, although a certain amount of finishing rork, including the famous Ford Madox rown murals in the Great Hall, remained J be done. The main contractors were /illiam Healey and Thomas Clay and Sons Joth of Manchester) and Messrs. George mith and Co. of London; the Quantity urveyor was M. Robinson, and the Clerk of forks, K. J. Osborne.


CENTRAL AREA

A

15

OWENS COLLEGE :

THE UNIVERS ITY 1870-98

Architect: Alfred Waterhouse

This is the third great work by Waterhous e in Manchester (the others are the Town Hall of 1868 and the Assize Courts of 1859, destroyed in the war) . It was begun shortly after the completion of the Town Hall, and work continued on it until the end of his life. The first block is intimate and small. The great towered front, including the Whitworth Hall, is grandiose and monumental. It combines features continenta l and English and others drawn from five centuries of medieval development, with occasional lapses which can only be classified as "Waterhou se" • The architect began his practice in Manchester in 1854 after pupilage under Richard Lane, moved to London about 1865 but retained his northern office until 1887. The Victoria - Building at Liverpool University, in the harsh red brick wh ich has come to be associated with Waterhouse, makes an interesting comparison with Owens.

r-

16

MAGISTR ATE'S Minshull Street

COURTS

1871

Architect: Thomas Worthington Won in a competitio n held simultaneo usly with that for the Town Hall, this is a large rectangular, red brick building with stone dressings built in "that type of Gothic of which examples abound in Florence, Siena, Pisa and Verona ". The area of the site is 20,000 sq. ft. and the building cost £81 ,000. There is a 188ft. high Clock Tower and the main feature of the plan is the siting of the four Courts, each of 1,750 sq. ft., in the centre of the building, where they are surrounded by offices and corridors to insulate them from the street noises. Fittings and panelling are of pitch pine and the warmed air heating system was very advanced for the time. 17

BARTON ARCADE Deansgate

1871

Architects: Corbett, Raby & Sawyer The best shop and office arcade which now remains. Until the blitz there were others, notably the Victoria Arcade, but this form of between street pedestrian planning was never so prominent a feature of 19th-centu ry Manchester as it was in Leeds or Cardiff. The dllll fac;:ades give no idea of the lightness and . elegance within. Structurall y there is nothing exciting but detail especially in cast iron junctions, ribs and ballusters, has that quality appropriate to the best material the Victorian • architects developed in its own right. '18

• CENTRAL STATION

1876-9

Enginee1s: Sacre, Johnson and Johnstone Clients: Cheshire Lines Committee

Opened in 1880 and built over the previous ree years Central Station is a f ine feat of engineering. The total span is 21 0 ft. (30 ft. less than St. Pancras). The great embroidered rc,of weighs over 2,400 tons, and is supported on independent foundations. The hotel that was to be built in front of the train shed never materialised and- unlike St. Pancras- the full span can still be seen . With the closing of lines Central is threatened . Its shape and v•Jiume suggest it could easily be adapted to some new purpose, such as an exhibition or market hall. t~

15


A

CENTR AL AREA 19

THE JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY 1890-1905 Deansgate Architect: Basil Champneys Perhaps the most important example of secular Gothic architecture of the last decade of the 19th century. The form and style are that of a college library with study bays IErading off a vast 148ft. long central hall. special olrticulation is superbly handled even though some of the surface detail is debased and horrid; the spacious vaulted vestibule {quite useless} and magnificent staircase lead to the first floor with a grandiose swagger. The construction is almost entirely fireproof, using a great deal of ferro-concre te . In the details, especially the superb bronze railings, much Art Nouveaux taste is apparent inextricably mixed with late medieval motifs. The simple side and rear elevations are Champneys at his best. Another little known building in Manchester, Holy Trinity Blackley {1908} shows how modern his work could be when superficial detail was stripped away.

~~~¡--~----~----~*

20

YMCA

BUILDING

1909

Peter Street Architects: Woodhouse, Corbett and Dean Original features are a swimming pool on the top floor, the structure, which is an early example of reinforced concrete design, and the terra-cotta cladding which has for over half a century fulfilled its function of withstandin g weather and vicious atmospheric pollution. {How many of today's buildings can hope to survive as long?}. In a niche on the front elevation is a copy of Donatello's St. George; a suitable emblem for Young Christian Men. The highly geometricise d arrangemen t of the ornament on the cladding is typical of the English equivalent of the Art Nouveau; its modernism, if that is now an acceptable word, contracts sharply with the eclectic vulgarity of the adjoining Midland Hotel. Can there be an uglier building in Manchester, or anywhere else, than this mountain of jellied veal?

21

WAREHOU SE: YORK HOUSE

1911

Major Street Architects: Harry S. Fairhurst & Son Clients: L/oyds Packing Warehouses Ltd. Now occupied by the Manchester College of Commerce, this was built as a textile ware house, with nine storeys, basement and sub-baseme nt, with the usual arrangemen t of offices in the front, and warerooms in the back provided with maximum natural lighting for cloth inspection. Well guarded rights of light dictated the unusual section. The construction is of concrete and steel filler joist floors on brick gable walls and solid steel columns. The windows are steel framed. It was originally hemmed in by adjoining buildings which were destroyed by enemy action in the last war.

16

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A

CENTRAL AREA 22

OFFICES, BRIDGEWATER HOUSE 1912 Architects: Harry S . Fairhurst & Son

Clients: L/oyds Packing Warehouses Ltd. A very early example of the realisation that the secret of a successful packing warehouse is the capacity to deal exped itiously with goods for rail or shipping . Half the ground floor was given up to load ing facil ities with through-way traffic, capable of dealing with 26 vehicles at a time. It still satisfies modern transport requirements. The bay windows in alternate bays, projecting over the building line, give an enhanced office rental. Steel framed, filler joist floors, terra -cotta front.

23

CINEMA,

PICCADILLY

1922

Architects: Percy Hothersa/1 Manchester's largest cinema in the 'twenties, the "Piccadilly", had a lengthy foyer, double staircase and lift to two balconies, with a restaurant at first floor level. The massive rectangular auditorium had a level ceiling extending well above the semi-circular stage arch. The balconies were also semi-circular reaching right round the sides of the proscenium. The cinema was sold in 1937 and is now used as a department store by Littlewoods Ltd. (top right)

24

OFFICES. KING STREET

1926

Architects: Harry S. Fairhurst & Son Clients: The Manchester Ship Canal Company Ship Canal house was the tallest building in Manchester at the time. It was originally conceived as the focal point in the comprehensive development of the whole site (hence the terra-cotta facings at the rear which would have been part of an enclosed area) but the remainder did not proceed. The steel frame is clothed with Portland stone on the main elevation, and the floors are of reinforced concrete.

25

MASONIC TEMPLE Bridge Street

1929

Architects: Thomas Worthington & Sons Clients: East Lancashire Masonic Benevolent Institution Built as the result of an architectural competition, the Masonic Temple is classical in its conception and detail, and displays fine proportions and workmanship. The interior is notable for its grand scale, especially in the main hall, which has a coffered barrel vaulted ceiling supported on Ionic columns.

17


CENTRAL AREA

A

26

LEE HOUSE, GREAT BRIDGEWATER STREET Architects: Harry S . Fairhurst & Son

1931

Clients: Tootal Broadhurst Lee Co. Ltd. 56 Oxford Street, now the headquarters of the English Sewing Cotton Co. Ltd., heavily enriched in terra-cotta, was to have been extended by the construction of a 17 -storey warehouse, shown here in Edward Adams' fine perspective. When plans were approved in 1928, it would then have been the tallest building in Europe (217ft.), but only the lower portion was built. (far right) It is interesting to compare the executed portion of the design with the original intention to build a skyscraper. Lee House has a powerful Cubist massing and coherence, emphasised by the craftsmanship of its construction; steel framing with fireproof concrete floors, brick walls, and bronze framed windows which reduce maintenance. An unusual glimpse of the other elevation can be had from the bridge carrying Oxford Street over the Rochdale canal. 27

BANK King Street

Architect: Sir Edwin Lutyens, in collaboration with Whinney, Son & Austen Hall Clients: Midland Bank Ltd. The Midland Bank, one of the last of Lutyen's commercial city buildings, displays his expertise in monumentality, intended to give a dignity and stateliness appropriate to the function of a Bank headquarters. The squareness and rigidity of the design, and the sharp bald edges of its set-backs, suggest rather than express the steel frame supporting the Portland stone fat;:ades, and the perspective is heightened by the slight batter of the wall face, the gradual diminution in depth of the stone coursing, and the progressive reduction in the size of apparently equal w indows. 28

CENTRAL LIBRARY EXTENSION St. Peter's Square

&

TOWN HALL 1934 & 1938

Architect: Vincent Harris The Central Library completed in 1934 houses the loan and reference libraries formerly situated in Piccadilly. Its Roman Doric & Corinthian Classicism reflects the author's sympathy with Lutyens whose work in the form of the Cenotaph (1924) it overlooks. In spite of the building's inability to satisfy demands now being made upon it the impressive character of the main reading hall and the entrance hall remains. (far right) The Town Hall Extensions were completed in 1938 and only Vincent Harris could have achieved the successful transition between his own Library and Waterhouse's Town Hall. The two-storey bridges between the extension and the Town Hall are particularly successful. 29

DEPARTMENT STORE. DEANSGATE c. 1939 Architects: J . W. Beaumont & Son Clients: Kendal Milne & Co. (Harrods) Ltd. This elegant building reflects the ultimate development of department store design before the second world war. The long spans of structural steelwork provide over 1,600 sq . ft . of clear floor space between stanchions. There are reinforced concrete fireproof floors and the separation of circulation escalators. sta irs and lifts with other services and air condition ing are expressed externally by the uncompromising elevations. 18


A

CENTRAL AREA 30

1939

NEWSPAPER OFFICES Great Ancoats Street

Engineer: Sir Owen Williams Client: Daily Express Exciting use of plate glass and black vitrolite envelope to enclose enormous continuous machinery; upper floors house offices, composing and type casting processes. Compare the other Daily Express building in Fleet Street, London .

31

OXFORD

ROAD

1960

STATION

Architect: W. R. Headley (Succeeded by R. L. Moorcroft. Regional Architect) Client: British Railways, London Midland Region An unusual timber building, originally designed as a concrete structure. The difficult triangular site demanded an original solution and a new 20th -century "conoid shell" railway building emerged. The building should be noted for its consistency of timber detailing. The actual shells (three over the concourse) are made of three layers of nailed and glued timber boarding. The laminated arches were prefabricated as complete units.

32

PICCADILLY

PLAZA

1960-65

Architects: Covell Matthews & Partners The Piccadilly Plaza. the largest compre hensive development in the City to date, includes shops on two levels, a 24-storey block of offices overshadowing an ancillary smaller tower of offices and an hotel block. This large scale development takes up the whole South -West side of Piccadilly Gardens. The front of the building is completely ruined by the existing bus shelter but of course this could easily go I

33

PICCADILLY STATION

1959-66

Architect: R. L. Moorcroft, Regional Architect Client: British Railways, London Midland Region. Piccadilly Station, the pride of British Railways, replaces the old London Road Station. The second stage-the new concourse building-was completed in 1966 for the opening of the new electrified line to London. The first stage included the erection of a 10-storey office building (far right) to rehouse all the existing railway offices on the station. The new structures are constructed above an elaborate brick arched structure that houses the lower goods area. This is well worth exploring.

19


CENTRAL AREA

A

3~

LAW COURTS Crown Square 1962 Architect: Leonard C. Howitt, former City The Law Courts building, which replaced the Waterhouse Assize Courts at Strangeways destroyed in the war was designed as a terminal feature to the once projected Civic Processional Way between the Town Hall and the Crown Square. It houses six courts at first floor level approached from the long public concourse, professional accommoda tion at the first, second and third floors and prison cells on the ground floor. The figures around the prison entrance and in the museum under the processional staircase came from the original Assize Courts. The bu ilding is steel framed and the claddings include coarse unfilled roach portland stone.

35

C.I.S. OFFICES 1962 Miller Street Architect: G. S. Hay, Chief Architect. C. W.S. in association with Gordon Tait of Sir John Burnet, Tait and Partners. Misha Black of Design Research Unit. Design of Special Areas The main building comprise; a five-storey podium with 25-storey offices and service towers. Floor space amounts to 13 acres and the overall height of the building is 400 ft. The building accommodates 2,500 people. Adjacent to the tower is a Conference Hall and a 14-storey block. The podium floors are served by escalators; the tower blocks by a double bank of four lifts. The service tower of reinforced concrete covered with mosaic acts as a brace to the steel framed office block which has a cladding of aluminium curtain walling with black vitreous enamelled panels at floor levels. The building is fully air conditioned . This bu ilding has been described as one of the finest sky-scrapers in Britain.

36

RENOLD BUILDING 1962 Institute of Science & Technology, Manchester University Architects: W. A. Gibbon of Cruickshank & Seward This lecture room building is the first project of its kind to be designed in the U.K. It contains the large lecture theatres and classrooms which would otherwise be dispersed amongst separate departmental buildings. This grouping of accommodation avoids duplication of rooms, allows a relatively generous provision of visual and audio aids and economises in space and staffing. The lower portion contains three large lecture theatres, an exhibition hall, study rooms and a buffet. The tower has 6 identical floors each containing a 140-seat theatre, two 70-seat classrooms and tutorial rooms . The construction is in situ reinforced concrete and the external facings are portland stone and mozaic. The external louvres of asbestos-cement on the South face are adjustable from inside each classroom .

20

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CENTRAL AREA 37

ST. ANDREW'S Portland Street

1962

HOUSE

Architects: Leach. Rhodes and Walker Clients: B. K. Developments Ltd. The site is off Portland Street, and w ith the positioning of the tower block it was hoped to "widen" out the effect of the road at this point, reflecting the open space of Piccadilly. The complex consists of a slim 21 -storey block, at the base of which is located a 2-storey branch bank. At the time of erection, the constructional techniques were by way of being an innovation. The core was cast continuously with a climbing shutter and the precast external panels fixed by means of a tower crane. No scaffolding was required which at the time was a notable feature . Due to this constructional system, it was possible to house tenants up to the 3rd floor when the main building was no higher than the 14th floor. Windows are aluminium, anodised in natural and black finishes. The cill panels have an exposed aggregate of Norwegian quartz.

38

ARTHUR HOUSE. Charlton Street

OFFICE

BLOCK 1963

Architects: Cruickshank and Seward (Partner-in-charge: L. Monks) Clients: Central and District Properties Ltd. A simple 7 -storey office block in reinforced concrete. Each floor is self-contained. The windows are hardwood and double glazed. (far right) 39

NWEB HQ BUILDING Dickenson Street

1963

Architects: Harry S. Fairhurst & Son The eight-storey headquarters building of the NWEB is an extremely successful example of town infilling on an exceptionally difficult site with little open frontage . The site work involved draining and filling an arm of the Rochdale Canal and the diversion of numerous supply cables and services. Lavatories, cloakrooms, stairs and lifts are concentrated in the separate wing at the end of Dickinson Street, providing freedom of layout in the office wing. The building is steel framed .

40

OFFICE BUILDING Devas Street Architects: Playne & Lacey

1963

Client: Northern Universities Joint Matriculation Board Although the Joint Matriculation Board is not formally part of the University the new office building is situated within the University campus and forms an effective feature on the South-West corner of the site. Motorists are advised not to attempt to unravel the riddle of the site treatment between this building and the Humanities Building.

"21


CENTRAL AREA 41

CAR PARK AND BUS STATION 1963 Portland Street Architects: Leach Rhodes and Walker Clients: B. K. Developments Ltd. Designed as part of the St. Andrew's House complex, it takes the form of basic floor slabs and upstand parapets, the simple lines of which act as a visual foil to the slim vertical shape of the office tower. The most notable feature of the construction was the continuation of the use of the Charlton Street Bus Station, throughout the building operations. The Bus Station is situated under the car park, and close liaison with the Omnibus Company made it possible for the construction to be arranged in two halves, the bus islands being changed at the changeover from one half to the next. 42

CHANDOS HALL 1964 Institute of Science & Technology, Manchester University Architects: W. A . Gibbon of Cruickshank & Seward This Hall provides accommodation for some 160 students, three tutors, a resident warden and housekeeper. A typical floor contains nine single bed -study rooms, two double bed-study rooms and a common room/ kitchen. The structure is in situ reinforced concrete with pre-cast concrete profile fac ing panels. The water tanks and lift motor rooms are housed in the grey glass box above the 15th floor. The location of the building on the site was determined by the British Railways ban on building within 20 ft. of the adjoining viaduct and the Fire Brigade stipulation of turntable access to each elevation.

43

LECTURE HALL AND EXAMINATION ROOM BUILDING 1964 Architect: W. A. Gibbon of Cruickshank and Seward Clients: Victoria University of Manchester The Roscoe Building accommodates centralised facilities in a similar manner to the Renold Building at the Institute of Science and Technology with which it should be compared. It had a similar brief to the Renold ; large theatres on the ground floor (250 and 480 seats) and classrooms, which are also used for examinations, on the five floors above, but throughout a more restricted budget had to be accepted. It is a reinforced concrete structure with claddings in brick and smooth finished precast concrete panels. It forms the centre point of Worthington's symmetrical layout for this part of the University-again to be compared with the similar situation at the lOST. (lower left)

44

OFFICES, STRETFORD 1964 Harold Street 4rchitects: Shepherd Design Group These offices were designed by the Contractors own Design Group as their area headquarters. The building is precast concrete framed . The ~xternal facings are brickworth, mineralite 'inished concrete and laminated plastic infills.

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A


CENTRAL AREA

A

45

HUMANITIES

BUILDING

1965

Architect: G. G. Baines of Building Design Partnership in consultation with H. Thomas, Planning Officer, Manchester University The site of the Humanities Building is within the University precinct. The building occupies rather a tight site at present but when the new University buildings replace the existing slum housing the creation of landscaped spaces will become possible. The building complex-built in two phasesis now complete with the new University Theatre enclosing the fourth side of the rectangular courtyard. 46

UNIVERSITY THEATRE Oxford Road

1965

Architects: Building Design Partnership Client: Victoria University of Manchester The University Theatre forms part of the Humanities complex on the West of Oxford Road and forms a visual link between the first Humanities Building and the new School of Architecture. The restricted site has resulted in very tight planning affecting the shape of the theatre. The inner courtyard of the group may become a promenade for the theatre audiences. The fixed permanent seating is on nine tiers providing 221 seats. Movable seating can be introduced in front of the raked part of the auditorium; th is can be placed in additional rows in front of the proscenium, or on rostrums over the normal stage for theatre in the round . The total seating varies with the arrangement adopted- the maximum for proscenium and open stage productions being 305, with 361 for theatre in the round . The structure is load bearing brickwork with additional internal reinforced concrete columns. 47

WILLIAMS DEACON'S HEAD OFFICE Mosley Street

BANK, 1965

Architects: Harry S. Fairhurst and Son The administrative headquarters of William Deacons Bank Ltd. A "composite construc tion" (steel and reinforced concrete framing combined for maximum strength and economy). the building has been planned to give as much window area as possible. This and other planning considerations have dictated the setting back of the 10-storey t6wer which is connected to its neighbour by a continuous first floor. One of the few buildings in England that has trees growing on the roof I 48

PETERSFIELD Peter Street

HOUSE 1965

Architects: Howitt & Tucker This office development is the first phase of • the redevelopment of the sites of No. 29 and No. 35 Peter Street, opposite the Free Trade Hall. The building is constructed of reinforced concrete and consists of five upper floors of office accommodation with a ground floor showroom and basement garage. The external cladding of precast concrete aggregate panels, mullions and transomes is finished in White Derbyshire spar. The panels below the teak horizontal pivot windows are in white Sicilian marble treated with a silicone finish. The second phase of the development when completed bridges over Marron Place, linking the five upper floors of offices. (far right)

23


A

CENTRAL AREA 49

ST. JAMES'S HOUSE St. James's Square

1965

Architects: Leach. Rhodes and Walker Clients: Royal Exchange Assurance Co. This office block occurs in St. James's Square, which is eventually to become pedestrianised and inter-connected to the network of footpaths running parallel to Deansgate and crossing the Processional Way. The building consists of a 7-storey block surmounting a 2-storey podium the level of which relates to a possible future 1st floor pedestrian traffic system, connecting all the major developments within the central area. The windows consist of double frames set some 18 in. apart, the inner leaves being sliding for cleaning purposes. Construction generally is an in situ structural frame, clad with precast concrete panels finished in black and white mosaics. A suspended acoustic ceiling is provided to all areas and serves to accommodate both lighting and air conditioning. 50

OFFICES Bridge Street

1965

Architects: Leach. Rhodes and Walker Clients: Scottish Life Assurance Co. The block, which takes the form of a square 8-storey tower over a 2-storey podium, is one of the buildings terminating the Processional Way complex, in that it closes one side of the Law Courts Square. The central core contains a scissors staircase and services and was constructed in insitu concrete in a continuous casting process by means of a climbing shutter. The floor slabs were all then cast on top of each other at ground level and later lifted by jacks around the core into their eventual position. The time saved by this method, as opposed to traditional construction, was quite considerable. 51

STUDENTS' UNION BUILDING 1966 Education Precinct Architect: W. A. Gibbon of Cruickshank

and Seward Client: Manchester University Institute of Science and Technology This scheme caters for three distinct uses- it forms a club for the 2,500 students of the Institute; it contains dining rooms which serve 2,000 or more meals a day, and it includes a hall of residence for 160 undergraduates. During vacations, the study bedrooms and dining rooms are used for conferences and vacation courses. As the site is close to the centre of the City, land values dictated a dense development. Construction is in white structural concrete, and large precast panels (weighing 2! tons) form the walls of the study bedrooms. Mahogany is used for window frames and other external timberwork. The study-bed rooms, mostly single, are contained in the tower, while the lounges, dining rooms and other communal spaces are housed in the podium.

24

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CENTRAL AREA

A

52

DISTRICT LIBRARY. Stretford Road

HULME

1966

Architect: S. G. Besant Roberts. City Architect An interesting grouping of 4-storey and 2-storey elements with the ground floor used for reception and garaging for mobile libraries. Above this level is located the main lending section w ith other specialised libraries on the upper floors. The reinforced concrete frame is simply expressed and separated from the non-structural cladding of dark grey brickwork.

53

HIGHLAND HOUSE Victoria Bridge Street

1966

Architects: Leach. Rhodes and Walker Clients: Highland Engineering Co. Ltd. The site occupies a prominent position adjacent to the River lrwell, and the Victoria Railway Station. Because of the dominating proportions of the block, discussions were held, not only with the Salford Authorities, in whose area the building occurs, but also with the Manchester Planning Department. The project consists basically of a 23 -storey tower block located over a multi-storey podium. Plate floors slabs are supported on internal in situ columns and perimeter precast concrete panels. The core of the building, containing lavatories and staircases etc., was constructed by sliding shutters in a continuous casting operation. The external finishes to the panels; fairface smooth concrete; to the gables; a patent sprayed finish in black and white. The windows are of stove-enamelled steel with opening lights for ventilation. (far right) 54

SOCIAL AND REHABILITATION CENTRE, ARDWICK Whitekirk Close

1966

Architect: S. G. Besant Roberts. City Architect Client: Welfare Services Committee Single-storey building providing a multi purpose centre for the use of the city's handicapped persons, catering for their recreation, occupation and entertainment; it forms a part of the Brunswick redevelopment area. The City has been a member of CLASP since 1964, and this is a typical example of the use of this system in this case faced with mathematical tiling. Other examples of this system can be seen in schools in the Hulme and Brunswick redevelopment.

25


SOUTH MANCHESTER

INTRODUCTION SOUTH MANCHESTER (B) From the early years of the 19th century the residential environs of the city spread rapidly southwards. Victoria Park, established about 1835, was a self-contained suburb, a kind of miniature Regents Park but most of the new villas were built either along the main thoroughfares like Oxford Road or round existing village centres such as Withington and Longsight. The outward sprawl soon overran hitherto remote emparked seats Platt and Birch leaving in the former case a remnant for conversion into a municipal park. Well into the present century substantial pockets of open country survived between the main roads. The designer of Platt Hall (1764) is not known for certain but recently discovered drawings link together the names of John Carr and Lightoller of Liverpool. The exterior is very severe, hardly different in style from that of the brick mills and institutions of the period. Inside there is a good staircase and modest rococo plasterwork. At both Didsbury and Parrs Wood late Georgian houses of some importance survive whilst at Slade Hall there is good timberwork, some of it as early as 1585. At W ithington is the enormous complex of Thomas Worthington 's Union Workhouse of 1865, brick stone and cast iron with a main front as long as that at Blenheim palace. Holy Trinity, Platt Lane (1 845) by Edward Sharpe of Lancaster is a remarkable structure, done throughout in terra-cotta, a model tractarian church(1) . St. Mary Moss Lane (1858) is John Crowther's best and largest town church. Now almost swallowed up in the student village at Owens Park is a small house of great importance designed in 1861 by Alfred Waterhouse for his own occupation. Barcombe Lodge (2) ought to be taken over by the University and used as a warden's house in its new setting; demolition is unnecessary and unthinkable.

26

B


SOUTH MANCHESTER

B

3

ST. ELIZABETH. REDDISH GREEN Architect: Alfred Waterhouse 1882 Churches by Waterhouse are rarities; St. Elizabeths is one done towards the end of his active career. It is still rather French in style superficially but has many characteristics of the "fin -de-siecle"; flat but subtly patterned wall surfaces, simple enrichments and a selfconsciously unmedieval attempt at originality at a time when to quote the Ecclesiologist, "our better architects may be allowed to run alone", developing what was thought to be modern Gothic rather than being content with the adaptation of archaic forms. The interior especially of the east end is rich, satisfying and simple, a north country equivalent, in its way, of J. D. Sedding's Holy Trinity, Sloane Street. St. John's, Cheetham, by Austin and Paley (1871) and this church at Reddish deserve to be better known. 4

FIRST CHURCH OF 1903 CHRIST SCIENTIST Daisy Bank Road, Victoria Park Architect: Edgar Wood This dramatic example of Edwardian avant garde architecture has been maintained as it was finished under the terms of a bequest. The design creates its own environment, which one is made powerfully aware of from first entering the site, and the quality of the design is carried right through the detail, which is notable, including metalwork, stained-glass and furniture. The organ screen over the main entrance from the vestibule is a masterpiece of architectural detailing. The use of materials and the exploitation of colour and texture belong to the Arts and Crafts Movement but the wilfulness of the conception stems from Art Nouveau. 5

BURNAGE GARDEN VILLAGE, BURNAGE 1906 An estate of mainly semi-detached houses using simple materials and a variety of standard plans. The first major example of Garden village in Manchester following Fairfield in the 18th century and a small example at Worsley Green and foreshadows later developments at Chorltonville (1909 onwards) and an extension to Fairfield for a housing trust. 6

GRAMMAR SCHOOL. FALLOWFIELD 1931 Architects: Francis Jones & Worthington Clients: Manchester Grammar School Trustees Superb handling of brickwork in a series of well-proportioned courts and cloisters, with carefully chosen internal finishes to withstand rough usage. (bottom left) 7

ST. NICHOLAS. BURNAGE 1932 Architects: Welch, Cachemaiffe Day & Lander The first modern church in Manchester. Until the late 20's a thin nee-gothic style was still used so that St. Nicholas was a daring innovation. After more than 30 years it has a period flavour of its own. part super cinema and part modern but if one overlooks the stylistic gimmicks of the day it is in many ways a satisfactory working design. The raised eastern chapel over vestries within the great apse is an unusual feature. The light fittings and furniture are good but a recent extension at the west end has not helped at all. (far right)

27


SOUTH MANCHESTER 8

EAST

DIDSBURY

STATION

1958

Architect: W. R. Headley (Succeeded by R. L. Moorcroft). Regional Architect Client: British Railways, London Midland Region A typical prefabricated station developed by the Modernisation Group, Euston , for the electrified Styal Line. The prefabricated components consist of steel beam and an asbestos sheet boxed roof. Numerous examples of th is type can be seen in the Manchester suburbs. 9

HOSTEL, DIDSBURY Wilmslow Road

1963

Architect: S. G. Besant Roberts, City Architect Client: Manchester Education Committee This hostel for students of the adjacent College of Education provides residential accommodation for 150 students in a 7-storey building, together with some staff accommodation in a lower structure. Much thought has been given to the detailing of the building and the external works and the final result is complementary to a fine site. (top right) 10

FLATS, DENE ROAD, DIDSBURY

1959

Architects: Harry S. Fairhurst & Son Holt House, a building constructed to house elderly people, provides flatted accommodation in 1 0 units. Well sited on a triangular site it is an excellent example of high- class building using quality materials in a carefully detailed way. It received a Civic Trust Award in 1960. 11

HOUSE, FLETCHER MOSS PARK, DIDSBURY 1964

Architect: Peter Womersley This house has a simple plan with a centralised living- dining-playroom space expressed by a higher ceil ing level and clearstory lighting. The children 's bedrooms, master suite and kitchen areas are expressed separately as brick boxes around this central living space. Unfortunately this house has suffered considerably from flood damage.

12

HOUSING, DENE PARK, 1964- 66 HEATON NORRIS Architects: Mortimer & Partners Clients: Hampson & Kemp Ltd. This small housing estate approached from Didsbury Road won an Ideal Home R.I.B.A. sponsored competition in 1962 and reflects the interest of the Contractors who have been responsible for a number of good housing estates built in the 1960's. The most notable feature of the estate is the 2-storey houses, urban in character grouped around square entrance courts. To the north of this housing area is an earlier scheme designed by Building Design Partnership which includes an interesting block of flats located off Crescent Park Road.

213

B


SOUTH MANCHEST ER

B

13

OWEN'S PARK STUDENT VILLAGE, 1964 FALLOWFIELD Wilmslow Road Architects: G. G. Baines of Building Design

Partnership in association with H. Thomas, Planning Officer, University of Manchester Clients: Victoria University of Manchester This is the first and second stages of the design of a complete student community for the University of Manchester. Stage one included the erection of the 19-storey study bedroom block for male students and the 4-storey quadrangle block for female students. That stage was completed in 1964, the second stage (completed July 1965) includes two 3-storey blocks, two 4-storey blocks and a single-storey dining hall. This complex of buildings and the social ideas behind it indicate a truly remarkable change in the attitude to housing students. Each student is allowed to develop his own responsibilities in terms of his private and social life with the building playing a large part in his choices. 14

THE WHITWORTH ART GALLERY 1964 Phase 1-lnterior Modernisation

Architect: John Bickerdike of The John Bickerdike Partnership Clients: Manchester University In May, 1964, the first phase of modernising the interior of the Whitworth Art Gallery was completed. The large central gallery of 1898 with the small corridor leading to it and two small side galleries, all of the same date, were replaced by a new exhibition area, the Calouste Gulbenkian Room, which now houses the Gallery's collection of contemporary works of art, and the Margaret Pilkington Room with a new mezzanine floor above it. In the Calouste Gulbenkian Room the central area of the floor is paved with quartzite stone blocks. The new ceilings are of Sitka Spruce, and some of the walls are lined with elm veneered panels. 15

ROYAL FORD HOSTEL, 1965 EAST DIDSBURY Off Parrs Wood Lane Architect: S. G. Besant Roberts, City Architect This 14-storey building containing single study bedrooms forms a dominant feature within this part of the Mersey Valley. The strong concrete modelling of the tower block contrasts with the 2-storey and single -storey elements that contain the social, dining and service facilities for the hostel. 16

HOUSING. ALBANY COURT, WITHINGTON Everett Road, off Palatine Road

1965

Architects: Neodox Contractors Ltd. (Chief Architect H. Kennedy, in succession to Jordan P.) Client: Park Lea Investments Ltd. This small development consists of 30 twoperson flats 18 of which are studio flats with bedroom galleries in the roof space. The construction is in 11-in. cavity brickwork. External access staircases are in reinforced concrete. The aim of the developer was to provide a maximum density on the site consistent with good amenities and below a specified maximum cost per flat. The flats were designed so that they require no regular maintenance other than gardening.

29


WEST MANCHEST ER

INTRODUCTION WEST MANCHESTER (C) From Campfield, in the city centre, the Bridgwater Canal snakes outwards into low lying countryside towards Worsley, from whence coal was originally conveyed by water to get up Manchester's steam. Some of the early warehouses associated with Francis Egerton's great enterprise survive in Hulme but at Worsley nothing remains of his great mansion or its Victorian successor save the odd gate pier or two. St. Marks Church (1848) is often considered to be Gilbert Scott's best (1) whilst at Swinton, not far distant in St. Peters Church (2) by G. E. Street there is a celebrated collection of painted glass by Burne-Janes and his associates. Eccles Parish Church is a reasonably good medieval structure in a now squalid setting but at Flixton, still out in the open, is one of the few churches to retain something of its Georgian flavour (Nave 1756. Tower 1731 ). Warburton Old Church is an important timber structure and at Ordsall (Salford) are substantial remains of a 15th-century great hall which can be compared with Rufford and Adlington.

30

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WEST MANCHESTER

c

3

1870 ST. AUGUSTINE. PENDLEBURV Architect: G. F. Bodley Thought by many people to be Bodley's finest church. It has not got the refinement of say Eccleston, a model village church, nor the stately splendour of Hoar Cross but it does show the late gothic revival at its best in the hands of its most competent and original exponent. A simple rectangular plan with narrow passage aisles piercing internally through enormous buttresses. Kempe glass, fine screens and stalls all add up to a superb church.

4

LONGFORD (ESSOLDO) CINEMA, 1936 STRETFORD Chester Road Architect: Henry Elder of Roberts. Wood & Elder A very unusual building shaped somewhat like an early typewriter. It has now suffered the fate of many of the more ambitious cinema buildings built during the 'thirties of being reduced to a "bingo hall". The sooner this tailor-made building reverts to its proper purpose the better, for not only did it work well-i.e. functionally-as a cinema, it looked like one, which is more than can be said for many of its contemporaries.

5

1936 MARKET OFFICES, SALFORD Cross Lane Architects: L. Berger A small 2-storey building occupying a corner site at the acute intersection of two roads. In common with many buildings of this era it is constructed of primary shapes, such as the circular kiosk at ground level and the observation window to the superintendent's office at first floor level.

6

MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS, 1937 SWINTON AND PENDLEBURV Chorley Road, Swinton Architects: Percy Thomas and Ernest Prestwich A pre-war design similar to many of this period in its monumental concept segregated from uses around it by its landscaping scale and quality of its construction. Awarded an R.I.B.A. Bronze Medal in 1938.

31


WEST MANCHESTER 7

NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE, LITTLE HULTON Manchester Road

1958

Architect: Roger Booth, Lanes., County Architect A 2- and 3-storey group of shops with housing accommodation above, designed to relate to the site dropping away from main road. The most attractive part of the group is close to Manchester Road, two storeys in height and includes a cafe as an entrance element to the centre ; the detailing of th is section has a strong nautical character.

8

BOYS' GRAMMAR SCHOOL, URMSTON Bradfield Road Architects: Lyons, Israel & Ellis

1~2

Clients: Lancashire Education Committee A good example of the use of shuttering technique to produce texture on the building structure. Constructed w ith a reinforced concrete frame at t imes separated from the glazed infilling panels it expresses the structure clearly and in a consistent material. The school consists of two separate teaching blocks within which rooms on two levels are grouped around a central lobby; the teaching blocks are linked together by a 2-storey assembly hall which also links on to the gymnasium and workshop accommodation.

9

COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION, WORSLEY 1962 Walkden Road

Architect: Tom Mellor Client: Lancashire Education Committee These additional buildings form el;(tra accommodation for the college for assembly and laboratories. A two-storey assembly and dining hall are close to the entrance with a two-storey laboratory block at the rear linked to the existing facilities. Construction of both sections in reinforced concrete frame with brick infilling.

10

MARTIN LUTHER CHURCH, STRETFORD Barton Road

1963

Architect: T. D. Howcroft of Young & Purves Client: German Evangelical Church. A simple church building to seat a congregation of less than one hundred with ancillary accommodation in the form of meeting and committee rooms. Also included in the scheme is a Pastor's house. It serves the German lutheran community in the City.

32

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WEST MANCHESTER

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11

AMBULANCE STATION, BOWFIELD ROAD. URMSTON

1964

Architect: Lancashire County Architect The single-storey building is covered with a butterfly roof, the rear portion covering the ambulance garage and servicing area. Accommodation is included at the front for staff rooms and offices. A monochrome treatment of materials is used, predominantly black and grey rendering with areas of painted boarding.

'

12

AMBULANCE Charles Street

STATION,

SALFORD 1964

Architects: W. S. Hattre/1 & Partners Client: Salford Corporation Salford Corporation Ambulance Service Headquarters, including garage, control rooms and staff accommodation. Steel framed garage top lit with white painted plywood fascia. Dark brown facing bricks, blue brick plinth with leaded copper drips. Metal windows painted black with white opening lights.

13

ANDERTON HOUSE, LOWTON-ST. MARY 1965 Newton Road, Lawton-St.-Mary, Nr. Leigh Architects: Young & Purves, in association with J. H. Bourne

Clients: National Coal Board This 7-storey building is the North Western Divisional Headquarters of the National Coal Board. Reinforced concrete construction with exposed aggregate panel finish. A very precisely detailed building.

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WEST MANCHESTER

c

17

MATERNITY WING, HOPE HOSPITAL. SALFORD 1965 Eccles Old Road Architects: Cruickshank & Seward A 4-storey building separated from the remainder of Hope Hospital and serving as a maternity unit containing 1 06 beds. Located on the southern side of the hospital it is constructed with a reinforced concrete frame with brick infilling.

18

OFFICES, SWINTON Pendlebury Road

1965

Architects: Biggins Sargent Partnership Clients: Gerrards Ltd. A crisply detailed office building utilising window types developed by the owners within a reinforced concrete structure. Although possibly lacking flexibility in its internal planning through the size of the window elements its simplicity and ground level timber detailing and entrances are exemplary.

19

STELLA MARIS, SALFORD 1966 Oldfield Road Architects: Desmond Williams & Associates A seamen's club and hostel containing residential accommodation for 24 seamen mainly in single rooms. At ground level within a podium to the upper floors a swimming pool, restaurant and assembly hall are provided; at first floor level is located the main entrance, a library and bar and above this two floors of residential accommodation . The construction is a reinforced concrete frame with dark spandrels and gables.

20

CHEMICAL WORKS. TRAFFORD PARK 1966 Ashburton Road Architects: Scherrer & Hicks Clients: Geigy (U.K.) Ltd. A 5-storey block containing chemical plant which gives the generally dull and industrial character of Trafford Park much needed contrast. The reinforced concrete frame with concrete panels and dark brick infilling provide a powerful form in sympathy with the circulation pipes of the chemical plant and notably different than adjacent office buildings.

35


NORTH MANCHESTER

D

INTRODUCTION NORTH MANCHESTER {D) North of the city a series of steep sided valleys and ridges radiate outwards-roads to the outlying towns on the tops and rivers, naturally enough in the bottoms. In what was originally the finest scenery, industrial blight is heaviest and the planners' task most formidable. Here and there a building from the past survives. Prestwich and Middleton both have reasonable medieval churches. (The latter with contemporary stained glass and part of its 15th-century rectory). There are a few modest, brick, late Georgian houses like Alkrington, but Foxdenton (c. 1700) recently restored, is the best domestic building now left. Quite apart, in a class of its own, is Heaton Park by James Wyatt (1777) (1). In spite of its ravaged landscape denuded of most of its trees and spoilt by some inappropriate municipal gardens it remains Manchester's most important single building. The sequence of main reception rooms is superb, their neo-classical perfection is not spoilt even by the lack of proper furnishings nor the ghastly decorations recently applied to certain of them. Three of four churches need a mention: St. Lukes Cheetham Hill by T. W. Atkinson (1839) is richly pre-ecclesiological inside and out; All Saints Stand (1822) by Sir Charles Barry (2) a replica of which stood until 1951 in Deansgate, and St. Johns Miles Platting by Gregan (1855) a rare example in the basilican style by an architect best known for his excellent warehouses. On Bury New Road is the Greek Orthodox Church (1860) by Clegg and Knowles surpassed for its rich interior by the Cheetham Assembly Rooms (1857) by Mills and Margatroyd, sumptuously decorated by Crace in the neo French taste. Strangeways Prison (1863) is all that remains of Waterhouses Assize Court complex; presumably it is better outside than in.

36

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NORTH MANCHE STER

D

3

&

WILLIAMS DEACON'S BANK. 1892 MIDDLETON Market Place Architect: Edgar Wood Built as the Manchester and Salford Bank, this is one of Wood's early commissions. The buff coloured faience cladding was selected to withstand atmospheric pollution. The detailing is premonitory of Art Nouveau and the design owes little to historicism. In this respect it is very different from Wood's Jacobean design for the building which is now the District Bank (1889) on an adjacent side of the square. In the latter it is only the detail which is of significance, whereas in the former the massing of the building is more mature, dramatic and effective.

• 4

ST. MARK'S RECTORY. 1892 NEWTON HEATH Varley Street Architects: Mackmurdo and Hornblower A large, Renaissance-style house, now converted to a home for the elderly, it has a large, central, top-lit, 2-storeyed hall. Mackmurdo was one of the original creators of the Art Nouveau style, although this aspect of his work is not evident in this example. (Not illustrated).

5

1895 REDCROFT. MIDDLETON Rochdale Road Architect: Edgar Wood Middleton was the birthplace and home of Edgar Wood for over 50 years. He opened his practice in an office in Suffield Street in 1887. Redcroft was his own house and with its neighbour Fencegate it makes an interesting solution to the perennial design problem of the semi-detached house. The houses are of unequal size and the asymmetrical design is therefore logical. In the 'nineties the fresh . clean, light-coloured, external walls and the attractive design must have appeared sparklingly fresh. There are many examples of Wood's domestic architecture in Middleton ranging from cottages to large houses for mill-owners in Archer Park, such as Westdean.

·.,/

6

WESLEYAN CHURCH, MIDDLETON 1901 Long Street Architect: Edgar Wood • It is interesting to compare this building group, one of the architect's largest commissions, with his later Christian Science Church in Victoria Park. In the Middleton Church the influence of Art Nouveau is apparent and some of the furniture and interior design is of exceptional quality. The design skillfully creates an environment away from the busy street outside. The Sunday School and Church buildings are grouped around a pleasant courtyard.

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NORTH MANCHE STER

D

7

36 MELALLIEU STREET, MIDDLETON

1906

Architect: Edgar Wood This is the first house designed by Wood with a reinforced concrete flat roof. The house has been much altered but its striking boldness, simplicity and originality can still be appreciated. It was the first of a series of such houses, the most notable being Upmeads, at Stafford (1908) and the final one being Royd House, at Hale (1914) which Wood designed and built for himself. The idea of using reinforced concrete construction was derived from J. H. Sellers, with whom he was in partnership from 1901 .

8

OFFICE BUILDING, OLDHAM King Street Architect: J. H. Sellers

1906

C/ien,t: Dransfield Bros. The distinction and dignity of this small office building is achieved with the utmost economy of architectural means. The design is also significant because it is an early example of the use of a reinforced concrete flat roof; the first by Sellers dates from 1 901 . Sellers designed Dransfield's when working in partnership with Edgar Wood.

9

DURNFORD STREET SCHOOL. MIDDLETON 1910 Architects: Edgar Wood and J. H. Sellers Durnford Street School and the nearby smaller school in Elm Street were the joint responsibility of Wood and Sellers, but it appears that Sellers was the designer. The buildings have flat, reinforced concrete roofs, although Elm Street includes a pitched roof over the main hall. The blocks of the buildings are distributed to give protection to the playgrounds from cross winds and trees were planted to create a more enjoyable environment. In these and other respects the buildings were prophetic of change in both architecture and education. When compared with contemporary Board schools their humane and advanced character are strikingly evident. 10

KENNET HOUSE, SMEDLEY Smedley Road

c. 1936

Architect: Director of Housing Clients: Manchester Housing Committee A continuous form of development 600 ft. in length designed as an oval with service access and play space internally. The development is located against a hill and expresses this topography by the building stepping down from five storeys to two storeys. It is arranged symmetrically on its other axis, apart from the main entrance, despite the fact that its eastern side overlooks the Irk valley. The construction is of load bearing brickwork and in common with other designs of this era anticipates a concrete frame structure in its external appearance.

38

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NORTH MANCHESTER

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11

LABORATORIES, BLACKLEY Off Slack Road

1937

Architect: Serge Chermayeff Clients: /.C./. Ltd. A 3-storey containing mainly laboratories and producing a simple expression of a brick-clad concrete structure and continuous windows. The laboratory extensions built later continue this pattern but are not by the same architect and lose the clarity of the earlier design. This particular building is not helped by the layout of the remainder of the works.

- 12

CREMATORIUM AND CEMETERY CHAPELS, BLACKLEY 1959

Architect: Leonard C. Howitt, succeeded by S . G. Besant Roberts, City Architect The Crematorium and Cemetery Chapels at Blackley Cemetery were awarded the R.I.B.A. Architecture Bronze Medal and Diploma in 1959. They are situated on the opposite side of the valley from Heaton Hall and it is interesting to compare the form of the chapel with the temple in the Park. The main crematorium chapel has a large stained glass window by Brayshaw and an illuminated sliding stained glass screen also by the same artist. The cantilever reinforced concrete porte-cochere is of interest.

13

SHACKCLIFFE GREEN SECONDARY SCHOOL, MOSTON 1964 Croft Hill Road Architects: C. B. Pearson & Partners Major interest in the school lies in the effective use of concrete blockwork as a walling material throughout the design. Accommodation is provided within a single-storey entrance and office structure linked to the gymnasium and assembly hall and also to a 4-storey reinforced concrete structure containing teaching units.

---,

'

14

OFFICE BUILDING, OLDHAM

1964

Architects: Leach, Rhodes & Walker Clients: Platt Bros. (Sales) Ltd. • The clients' brief was for a design which gave complete flexibility of internal planning and an imposing appearance suitable for a sales organisation attracting overseas visitors. • The final design took the form of a large rectangular office area at first floor level, through which is pierced an open courtyard. The main entrance hall is accommodated at ground floor, and staff lavatories, etc., are also under the main building. A Director's suite is contained in the 2nd floor block. Construction is of a large span in situ concrete frame, with a roof construction of 5-ft. deep lattice trusses. The roof space is utilised for all lighting, ductwork and air conditioning etc., and being "universal" allows an infinite re-arrangement of internal partitions. Fascia panels are pre-cast concrete faced in white mosaic.

39


NORTH MANCHESTER 15

ST. MARTINS CHURCH OF ENGLAND 1965 SCHOOL, OLDHAM Architects: Tom Hayes & Partners This school has been designed to take advantage of the southerly aspect and the magnificent views across a valley to distant moors. The classrooms are linked to an assembly block, the whole set around an elevated courtyard. The building was designed on a 4-inch module and planned on a grid of 3 ft. 4 in.

16

HOPWOOD HALL CHAPEL. MIDDLETON

1965

Architect: Frederick Gibberd Clients: De La Salle Training College An in situ concrete framed building with columns at the corners of an octagon extending upwards into an open glazed roof cone and tied by a ring beam at the groin. Simple, effective structure covering a straightforward liturgical space and effective because of this. Details are somewhat clumsy but the whole thing works; the similarity to the Metropolitan Cathedral at Liverpool needs no explanation.

17

TOWN HALL, MIDDLETON

1965

Architects: Lyons Israel & Ellis A 4-storey L-shaped building containing municipal offices. Structure is in situ reinforced concrete frame with heavily modelled pre -cast concrete cladding panels. The external form which has a predominatingly horizontal expression is derived from the horizontal distribution of services within a precast spandrel panel.

40

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NORTH MANCHESTER

D

18

CRETE STREET REDEVELOPMENT, OLDHAM 1965 Architects: The Charter Building Design Group, in association with T. Cartlidge. Borough Architect and Planning Officer This 1 0-acre site has been developed as a pedestrian estate with minimum traffic penetration and provides 382 dwellings in 2-, 3-, 4- and 13-storey units of flats, maisonettes and houses. The site which is fully landscaped includes children's play spaces and a large public square in front of the tall block. The tall block contains flats and maisonettes repeating every third floor and is so planned that all living rooms face south and all bedrooms are over one another. The ground floor will contain four shops.

19

HOLLINWOOD REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME, OLDHAM 1965 Architects: Max Lock & Partners in association with T. L. Cartlidge, Borough Architect and Planning Officer This scheme of 342 houses, flats and maisonettes, on a site of 17 acres at the junction of Hollins Road and Manchester Road, is grouped around a series of pedestrian squares. The pedestrian areas and walks include a number of children's play spaces. The 5-person dwellings are planned as houses and the taller blocks and the 11 -storey tower contain the smaller dwellings. The nature of the ground involved the use of piling over much of the site which contains the infilled disused branch of the Ashton Canal. It is interesting to compare this redevelopment • with the St. Mary's scheme now under construction designed by the Ministry of Housing Development Group. (far right)

20

SALEM METHODIST CHURCH, BROUGHTON PARK 1966 Wellington Road East Architect: T. D. Howcroft of Young & Purves This building provides a chapel for 150 people, a Church Hall and ancillary meeting rooms, and is designed to allow extensions at first floor to part of the accommodation. Related to a Church by the same architect in Barton Road. Stratford, it utilises simple robust materials, some of an industrial character, as a background to the form of worship enclosed. 41


EAST MANCHESTER

INTRODUCTION EAST MANCHESTER (E) The ground rises gradually from the city centre towards Ashton-under- Lyne, densely built up at first but with more open space later. St. Michaels Church Ashton (1) is a large 15th-century building, retaining some fine old glass, with its interior richly coated in early Victorian plaster and filled with an unbelievable riot of wooden pews and galleries; a must for any visitor. St. Peters (1821 ), a simple elegant church by Francis Goodwin is a duplicate of one he built at Bordesley in Birmingham. Denton, St. Lawrence is a much restored timber church of the 16th century whilst at Brookfield Gorton (1869) and Gee Cross, Hyde (1848) are two ancient non-conformist chapels both rebuilt with restrained taste by Thomas Worthington. Clayton Hall moated, and largely of the 17th century is of interest, but the best group of secular buildings are those of the Fairfield Moravian Settlement at Droylesden founded in 1783 (2) ; a compact planned community of church, workshops and houses. The church at Haughton Green (1876) is worth notice as one of the best by J. M. and H. Taylor, two architects with an original approach to design in their day- simple brick forms and a minimum of detail.

42

E


E

EAST MANCHEST ER 3

ST. FRANCIS, GORTON

1863-72

Architect: Edward Welby Pugin To quote the late Cecil Stewart: "'No one could fail to be startled by the west front, with its three stupendous mounting buttresses and attenuated spire, which flout all the principles defined by the architecfs father"'. The interior is something of a disappointment after this but it is the most complete and impressive popish architectural display to survive from the mid century, unspoilt even by the present sickly colour scheme.

- ..

4

ST. CROSS, CLAYTON

1863-74

Architect: William Butterfield A gaunt and simple memorial to Butterfield's greatness; though blackened by a century of grime the polychromatic decoration still tells. Straightforward stripes and diaper • patterns in several colours of brick with expensive finishes confined to the altar end. Perhaps the tower would have had a more appropriate bulk if more money had been available. Manchester has only two or three churches by architects of national reputation , Swinton by Street and a couple by Scott ; St. Cross is easily the best. (far right)

5

1914 HOUSING AT FAIRFIELD Fairfield Avenue, Broadway and Broadway North, Droylsden Architects: Edgar Wood and J. H. Sellers The garden city ideal is expressed by this small housing scheme which stands adjacent to the 18th-century Moravian settlement. Both sets of buildings engender a strong sense of community. The layout, skilful treatment of levels and sensitive use of materials all contribute to an attractive and notable environment. It is unfortunate that the idea was not developed further, only about 40 houses were built. The original houses can be distinguished easily by their Nee-Georgian character. Probably Wood was responsible for the layout and Sellers for the houses.

6 DROYLSDEN COUNTY SECONDARY SCHOOL Manor Road, Droylsden

1949

Architect: G. Noel Hill, former Lancashire County Architect Client: Lanes. C.C. Education Committee This building which was awarded the R.I. B.A. Architecture Bronze Medal and Diploma in 1950 is typical of the period in having a well spread out plan. The 2-storey classroom blocks are designed to provide lighting from two sides for each room and the whole school is consistently well detailed with a limited number of different materials.

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EAST MANCHE STER

E

7

WATERWORKS .

TINTWISTLE

1962

Architect: S. G. Besant Roberts, Manchester City Architect Client: Manchester Corporation Waterworks Department The central Building at Arnfield houses plant and equipment for treating raw water from the Longdendale catchment area. It is designed for the bulk storage and handling of lime and other chemicals used in the treatment process. and includes a fully equipped laboratory, offices and staff rooms. The rugged and uncoursed stone and the uncompromising structural form reflect the character of the gritstone terrain surrounding the remote upland village of Tintwistle on the mains trans - Pennine route to Sheffield. As this road is liable to closure during the winter months, provision has been made for the storage of one month's supply of all materials used .

8

OFFICES. DENTON

1962

Architects: Wych. Bowker. Hardy & Associates Client: Rotunda Ltd. This 2-storey building in Manchester Road has a pre-cast reinforced concrete frame, with pre-stressed floors and roof. and was designed to support an additional storey. It has electric underfloor heating and three layers of glazing to reduce sound transmission from the busy road. A fine f inish has been achieved to the concrete, which contrasts well with the blue engineering brickwork used.

9

INFANTS SCHOOL, STALYBRIDGE 1965

Architects: E. Tabemer, Cheshire County Architect Clients: Cheshire Education Committee Ridge Hill County Infants School, a SCOLA project making interesting use of a sloping site with linked single and 2-storey blocks.

10

CITY ABATTOIR AND MEAT MARKET. PHILIPS PARK 1966

Architects: S. G. Besant Roberts. City Architect This huge complex of buildings is designed around the requirements of electronically controlled mechanical handling equipment, from the reception of livestock, by road or rail, to the despatch of end products. The reinforced concrete structure is of interest. particularly in the cattle section roof. The 2-storey market section, to the north of the site, is also noteworthy for its structure and planning.

44

r


STOCKPORT

F

INTRODUCTION STOCKPORT (F) The only large town south of the city, astride the river Mersey in a steep-sided valley ; Stockport owes most of its character to dramatic changes in level. The old town clusters round the parish church (Lewis Wyatt c. 1815) and market place from which steep narrow streets (called brows) descend to the Underbanks beneath. A fine Victorian cast-iron bridge leaps the gap from the plateau, westwards into St. Petersgate. Two 16th-century timber houses still stand (notably Underbank Hall now the District Bank) otherwise the other buildings are decayed Georgian. A long stretch of the river was covered with a road in 1937 and now the same area is disappearing under a huge shopping precinct. The town is dominated by the colossal railway viaduct (1) constructed in the 1840's by the engineer architect J. Lowe and the earlier road bridge of the Wellington Road turnpike. The best 19th-century buildings are St. Thomas' Church by George Basavi (1825~. Woodbank Hall by Harrison of Chester and Richard Lane's Infirmary, all three in the Greek revival style. Within a radius of six or seven miles are the following important country houses. Bramhall, a much restored, though extensive • late Tudor timber structure (2), Handforth, a more modest affair of the same period, and Adlington which has an enormously impressive great hall of the Rufford type, with spiers and dais canopy built into a house substantially of • the 18th century. At Lyme Park, superbly situated in the Pen nine foothills near Disley, is Leoni's best known work built around 1720. Abney Hall, near Cheadle, formerly the home of the Watts family is mutilated and lacks most of its furniture but retains lovely decorative work which was the result of collaboration between Crace and A. W. N. Pug in.

45


F

STOCKPORT 3

ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH 1898 Heaviley Architects: Austin & Paley Despite its size, quality of detail and the splendour of its fittings the effect is rather dead, because by 1898 the Gothic revival was dead. This firm, descended from the practice of Edmund Sharpe of Lancaster, were very prolific builders of new churches and restorers of old ones throughout the north of England; in many cases they achieved much more with much less, especially when they were forced to work in brick as at St. Cross, Knutsford. Nevertheless St. Georges is one of the most impressive monuments of its period.

4

FACTORY Didsbury Road

1936

Architects: Taylor Young & Partners Clients: Cheshire Sterilised Milk Co. Ltd. A high quality building; suitable for its purpose and free from the silliest gimmicks of the period. The office block hides some interesting steel and concrete shed structures.

5 SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL Offerton 1963 Architects: J. S. Rank, Borough Architect,

Stockport Client: Stockport Education Committee A good example of the economical clustered plan which replaced the strung-out building groups and long corridors of the immediate post-war school. Circulation space kept to a minimum round a courtyard. The structure is of precast column units erected in pairs and located by in situ floor and roof slabs; assembly hall ceiling of interest.

46


F

STOCKPORT 6

CHURCH. STOCKPORT Bramhall Lane

1964

Architect: Ivan Johnston and Associates Client: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints This building occupies the site of a former mansion in Bramhall Lane. The design meets the Church's requirements consisting of a chapel and cultural hall w ith stage facilities which could be combined for conferences. There are also classrooms, offices, etc. which meet the requirements of Sunday School and other auxiliaries.

7

MARPLE COUNTY GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Architects: W. S. Hattre/1 & Partners

1965

Client: Cheshire County Council Four-form entry grammar school. Steel framed classroom block, assembly hall and dining room. Silver grey facing brickwork. White painted metal windows in timber sub-frames. Plywood fascias painted white.

8

HOUSING, VICTORIA PARK, STOCKPORT

1965

Architects: Stockport Borough Architects' Department A high-density Housing scheme of two 12-storey towers and an L-shaped 3-storey block set in a pleasantly landscaped site formerly occupied by army barrack buildings. The construction is of concrete frame with brick outer walls ; the low block on the Reema system .

9

CHURCH OF ST. MARTIN Higher Poynton

1965

Architect: P. F. Smith •

St. Martin's Church, occupying an open somewhat formless site, successfully resolves the problem of the intimate village Church without recourse to conventional cliches. The pleasant well-lit interior is almost domestic in scale. It is hoped that it may eventually be furnished by furniture designed by the architect.

47


ALTRI NCHAM I SALE I WYTHENSHAWE

INTRODUCTION ALTRINCHAM / SALE / WYTHENSHAWE (G) Topographically non -descript, the fertile plain of the Mersey south of Manchester traditionally supplied its vegetable produce. Now bricks have replaced rhubarb and there is little open space. Northenden gives some idea of the old village structure, if in little more than its street plan, overlaid with inter-war housing and the harsh lines of new roads. (The landscaping of Princess Parkway is superb and worth a good look). At Bowdon the plain is broken by a sandstone ridge rather like that at Alderley Edge and covered with Victorian villas of a similar kind. The church, originally modest, was lavishly rebuilt in 1856 (architect Brakespeare) replacing all the medieval features but more so ! Other places of interest include Wythenshawe Hall, a polyglot assemblage of many periods set in a fine park as the centre-piece of the garden suburb ; nearby is Baguley Old Hall (1) without doubt one of the most important timber buildings in the country, shamefully neglected by the city authorities; and Dunham Park a notable house mostly of the 18th century.

48

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ALTRINCHAM I SALE I WYTHENSHAWE

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HOUSES. HALE 1901-10 Plane Tree Road. Park and Hale Roads Architect: Edgar Wood About a score of pleasant and modest houses were built by Wood in Hale and these are situated in Hale, Park and Plane Tree Roads. Most of these illustrate the vernacular revival phase of Wood's work and demonstrate picturesque arrangements of gables, hips and chimneys and the skilful exploitation of the natural colour and texture of materials ; brick, boarding and stone slates. Typical of this is the group at 223-33 Hale Road. The influence of Wood's partner, J . H. Sellers can be seen in the classical detailing of some • elements.

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ROVD HOUSE. HALE 1916 224 Hale Road Architect: Edgar Wood Designed in 1914, this house, built by Wood for his own use, was not completed until 1916. It is the last of Wood's houses to be designed with a reinforced concrete flat roof, which Wood used to obtain greater flexibility in planning and an extension of the space of the house. The arabesque designs on the front elevation and front door are expressions of the decorative theme which Wood carried throughout the entire design.

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HOUSING. WVTHENSHAWE 1931 Planner: Barry Parker Wythenshawe, planned by Barry Parker in 1931, was the first example in Britain of a municipally-owned satellite. The earlier parts of the development are in typically garden city form with an insistently geometric layout and 2-storey housing in terraced and semidetached form. The resulting environment is very pleasant and human, mellowing with age. The later development adds little to these qualities apart from a greater variety in building heights. Industrial areas were planned together with the housing but the major shopping and entertainment area was not developed unti 1962.

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PYRAMID (THE ODEON) CINEMA SALE 1933 • Architects: Drury and Gomersa/1 A good example of the surburban cinema "of period taste". Built in the thirties in the pseudo-Egyptian style (from Banister Fletcher) it represents the resolute search for identity of the architects of the cinema boom years. Although the name has changed much of the fabric and decoration remains as it was designed.

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ALTRINCHAM I SALE I WYTHENSHAWE 6

ST. MICHAELS, WYTHENSHAWE Lawton Moor

1937

Architect: Cachemaille Day The best pre -war modern church in Manchester, planned within an eight-pointed star shape with tall concrete columns supporting an "intergrid" roof. The brick exterior is disappointing and grim but inside the effect is very telling though had the altar been centrally placed. as intended, it would have been better still. A repetitive pattern of richly coloured stained glass, by Geoffrey Webb, is very effectively used at one corner behind the sanctuary.

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ST. LUKE'S, BENCHILL

1938

Architects: Taylor and Young A simple and characteristic church of the period of orthodox plan and construction ; the decorative treatment of the concrete roof is worth notice. No special emphasis is given to the font and the choir stalls are situated in the west gallery. Behind the church there is a pleasant courtyard flanked by the vicarage, school and hall; this arrangement may be profitably compared with Bernard Miller's more monumental scheme at St. Christopher's Church, Withington (1935) .

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RENOLD HOUSE, OFFICES Ringway Road Architects: Cruickshank & Seward

1954

Client: Renold Chain Co. Ltd. In 1955 this building was awarded the R.I.B.A. Architecture Bronze Medal and Diploma for the Manchester Society of Architects province. It houses the Head Office and Central Selling and Administrative organisations of Renold Chains Ltd . It consists of two parallel wings containing general and private offices and a central w ing largely made up of filing and records rooms, stores, cloakrooms and lavatories. The cantilevered structure above the main entrance contains a suite of rooms for directors' meeting. The construction throughout is in situ reinforced concrete.

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LABORATORIES, WYTHENSHAWE Shadowmoss Road Architects: Cruickshank & Seward

1955

Client: Ferranti Ltd. These buildings consist of laboratories, workshops and administrative offices for electrical research and development for Ferranti Ltd. The building has been planned for future extension and throughout flexibility of use has been considered. The laboratory section and the workshops are placed on opposite sides of a central block containing the heating and electrical plant. The canteen forms the separate building approached by a covered passage. The buildings are in situ concrete and steel framed, with brick cladding.

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ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI. WYTHENSHAWE

1962

Architect: Sir Basil Spence This church, one of a number of post -war churches built by the Manchester Diocesan Board in this part of the City, has a seating capacity of 250 and an independent Chapel seating about 26. The construction is solid brickwork and the roof consists of woodwo ol slabs on Tecton beams, and finished in aluminium. The gallery is reinforced concrete framed as is the free standing tower.

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TERMINAL BUILDING, RINGWAY AIRPORT

1962

Architect: Leonard C. Howitt, succeeded by S. G. Besant Roberts, City Architect Interiors: James Cubitt & Partners Ringway terminal building was one of the first in the U.K. to be planned upon pier accessone spur serving internal flights, the other, isolated by customs, international flights. The piers are situated on either end of the main concourse and promenade on the first floor. Services and baggage handling take place on the ground floor away from the public circulation. The building has been planned to afford the possibility of future extensions to accommodate increased traffic. Provision is made for spectator access to the roof of the concourse building and the piers.

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OFFICE BLOCK, CANTEEN & WAREHOUSE Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe Architects: Harry S. Fairhurst & Son

1963

Client: Wm . Timpson Ltd. This complex, the reg ional headquarters of a large shoe -making and distributing concern, is a fine example of industrial architecture making a positive contribution to the environment- particularly valuable in an area not noted for the high quality of its architecture.

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1964 OFFICE BLOCK Ledson Road, Baguley • Architects: Young & Purves Client: Rolinx Ltd. This 2-storey office block houses the administrative staff of the adjoining factory. The careful selection of materials and the precision of the detailing are particularly noteworthy.

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SCHOOL, PARTINGTON

1966

Architect: E. Taberner. Cheshire County Architect Client: Cheshire Education Committee A county infants' school, built on the SCOLA system of industrialised building .

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WYTHENSHAWE HOSPITAL, MATERNITY UNIT Floats Road, Wythenshawe

1965

Architects: Powell and Maya Clients: Ministry of Health This Maternity Un it is Phase 1 of a whole new hospital to serve the needs of the new housing areas at Wythenshawe. The first phase consists of the Unit, a Midwives' Hostel and a residential block for Medical Officers. The architects aim "to create a group of buildings which not only satisfies functiona l requirements but also which is welcoming and domestic in scale" has been successfully carried out. It is one of the finest hospital buildings in England. The buildings are in reinforced concrete construction with a bush hammered finish, facing brickwork is a dark purple finish. 16

NORTH WESTERN GAS BOARD HQ, ALTRINCHAM 1965

Architects: Building Design Partnership The office block for the various, previously scattered, departments of the NWG B is the major element in the group of buildings comprising the new HQ. The 6-storey office structure is connected to a conference centre and other ancillary accommodation. A printing centre adjoins the older Electronic Accounting Centre on the site and is linked to the new block. A good example of the use of an industrialised system, Laingspan. The building won a major Civic Trust Award in 1 966.

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WILLIAM TEMPLE CHURCH, WYTHENSHAWE

1965

Architect: George Pace A highly individualistic approach to the design of a new church- a sort of workshop for worship, very difficult to understand as architecture, if indeed a work such as this needs a rational approach. Superb materials, brickwork, concrete and a dominating use of copper all over the large low pitched roof; when this weathers and the site has matured the effect could be good. The internal arrangements are curious with the liturgical axis diagonally set across the otherwise simple rectangular shed. Well worth a visit.

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WILMSLOW I KNUTSFOR D I NORTHWIC H

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INTRODUCTION WILMSLOW/KNUTS FORD/NORTHWICH (H) A flat land of natural beauty, where Manchester spills over into agricultural Cheshire. Old village centres closer in are absorbed and those further away enlarged by ill considered patches of suburban housing. Nether Alderley could be taken as a typical village-medieval church, rectory and a good selection of houses of all periods; the water mill is of great interest. Wilmslow demonstrates what happens when a similar place is overrun to become a dormitory township. Alderley Edge, between the two, is a 19th-century creation on the railway, a collection of villas on a well-wooded ridge. St. Philips Church (1) by John Crowther is superbly complete, with a model broach spire and coloured roof tiles. In the country - beyond are three of Cheshire's best houses. Tatton Park (2) c. 1788-1807 by Samuel, chastely neo-classical; Tabley, an earlier more robust work by Carr of York (1760) and the fantastic mid-19th-century pile at Capesthorne, best seen at a distance by all but the most hardened enthusiasts of Salvin and Blare. Knutsford, Mrs. Gaskell's Cranford, is fairly intact and with the M6 motorway is bound to grow fast. The Georgian parish church is large and impressive; there are many fine buildings of the same period and the County courthouse (attributed to Thomas Harrison) has a Piranisi like grandeur. Most remarkable are the eccentric buildings of Richard Harding Watt (3).

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WILMSLOW I KNUTSFORD I NORTHWICH 3

VARIOUS BUILDINGS, KNUTSFORD 1895-1960

Architect: Richard Harding Watt The numerous buildings by Knutsford's "unprofessional genius" Richard Harding Watt cannot be mentioned separately. They deserve to be viewed as a whole; eccentric groups in the ltalianate style that almost defy description. The most important of his buildings are the houses in Legh Road; the Gaskell Memorial Tower (left) and King's Coffee House ; and the row of cottages and Ruskin Rooms off King Street.

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NURSERY SCHOOL, HARTFORD. NORTHWICH

1938

Architect: Leslie Martin A small school containing four classrooms sited facing south with entrance and ancillary rooms to the north. The panel treatment of the rear elements indicates an interest in prefabrication and was designed to allow for future growth.

5

HOUSE, ALDERLEY EDGE Squirrel's Jump, Mottram Road

1950

Architect: Henry Elder A typical example of this architect's work in the use of local materials, in this case painted brickwork, and a monopitch roof. Two other houses, on sloping sites are located on Woodbrook Road. The architect was also responsible for an estate of individually designed houses on the southern side of Macclesfield Road using similar design details.

6

HOUSING OVERSPILL ESTATE, HANDFORTH 1962- 66 Architect: J. Austen Bent. City Housing

Director This overspill estate is designed to provide housing for 4,000. In its first phase includes a mixture of dwelling types arranged in varying heights of buildings to create an identifiable form as compared with normal suburban development. The 13 -storey block of flats which have also been used at Collyhurst adjacent to the Irk Valley, provide a visual accent to the estate.

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WILMSLOWI KNUTSFORD I NORTHWICH

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BAKERY. NORTHWICH

1965

Architects: Eric Thompson and Associates Clients: Messrs. Roberts Bakery Ltd. A long, low horizontal building that " wraps'' round an existing small bakery. Situated on the main Chester/Manchester road this attractive building is finished in brick.

8

WILMSLOW COUNTY GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 1965 Architects: W. S. Hattreff & Partners

Client: Cheshire County Council Three-form entry grammar school built in calculated load-bearing brickwork. Pre-cast pre-stressed roof and floors to classrooms. Multi-rustic brick facings, metal windows painted white. Fascia white painted softwood.

9

HOUSE 1965 Weston Road, Wilmslow Architect: D. G. Dearden Architect's own house. of approx. 1,600 sq. ft . All main rooms face south. Fi nished in dark brown brickwork ; projecting upper floor timber-framed and clad in cedar board ing . Copper roof.

10

REGAL CINEMA, NORTHWICH

1966

Architects: Eric Thompson & Associates • The new front and the completely redecorated interior (with a matt black auditorium) has transformed the old corrugated barn of a cinema into a smart small town cinema. This is one of the very few cinema improvements of any note in the whole of the Manchester area.

55


BOLTON I ROCHDALE I BURY

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INTRODUCTION BOLTON/ROCHDALE/BURY (J) All three towns have individual identity but are in the same architectural slate; a few good early buildings, vast areas of septic dereliction and ambitious plans for redevelopment. The Parish Churches of Bolton (1 B67 -71 by E. J. Paley) and Rochdale (medieval, much restored) are both outstanding whilst that at Bury is a good example by Crowther (1872). St. Mary, Wardleworth, Rochdale is the best church; of 1744 richly rebuilt in 1909 by Sir Ninian Camper (1) The civic buildings are fine; at Rochdale, Crossland built the town hall (1866-71) in imitation of a Flemish Cloth Hall (2) at Bolton in 1873 William Hill provided the citizens with a slighter version of Broderick's Leeds Town Hall; subsequent additions have given Bolton the best civic complex in the region. In all three places there are a few Georgian survivals, mills, houses, and tattered remnants of once fair streets. This part of Lancashire is well provided with manor houses, especially of the 17th century; Smithells and Hall i'th Wood, Bolton are representative examples. Humbler vernacular structures, cottages, barns and farmhouses are legion; many of them show interesting evidence of the pre-factory textile industry, firmly established hereabouts for over 400 years.

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HOUSES, OVER HULTON, BOLTON 1906 751-753 Manchester Road Architect: C. F. A. Voysey This pair of semi-detached houses is the only complete building by Voysey in the Manchester area. The design is entirely typical of his personal and attractive style with white, rendered walls. double gables, sweeping roof lines and long, horizontal bands of windows. The houses might have been designed for the Home Counties and make no concession to either the Lancashire climate or the industrial environment. He also designed an extension to a house at Woodbrook, • Alderley, interesting for its internal deta iling

4

HIGH LAWN COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL, BOLTON Holden Avenue. Sharples

1954

Architect: Borough Architect An attractive group of pavilions arranged on a terrace on a sloping site. Pavilions are predominantly glazed with large overhanging eaves and tiled roofs.

5

ST. ANNE'S SECONDARY MODERN SCHOOL, BOLTON 1958 Architects: Greenhalgh & Williams A number of Roman Catholic Schools were designed in the Bolton area about this period by these architects and illustrate a simple modular design employing a small number of materials. This particular design accommodates 480 pupils with general classroom space contained within the 4 -storey block.

6

HOUSE. RYECROFT. HEYWOOD Rochdale Road East

1960

Architect: Peter Womersley Adjacent houses designed sympathetically on a small sloping site. This one is approached by vehicle from the main road with garaging provided at a level below that of the house. An open plan living area is arranged around an internal court and the kitchen is located centrally between dining and playroom.

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BOLTON I ROCHDALE I BURY 7

CLUBHOUSE 1962 Lostock Tennis Club, Regent Road, Lostock,

Architect: James B. Harris This small building has a central staircase separating the kitchen and meeting space/bar on the upper floor with a clubroom (size 40ft. by 19ft.) for viewing plays, dances and meetings. The ground floor has a central hall with male and female changing rooms, each with a shower, W.C., and two wash basins. Timber framed cladding panels to first floor, sand-lime brickwork below, fair-faced inside and out.

8

COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION, ROCHDALE 1962-65 Bury Road Architects: Yorke, Rosenberg & Marda/1

Clients: Rochdale Education Committee The additions to the existing college were executed in two stages. Stage 1 consists of a 6-storey teaching block with a reinforced concrete frame exposed at ground level and a timber curtain wall design applied above first-floor level similar in principle to the Gatwick structure. An assembly hall in stage 1 and later extensions in the form of workshops are constructed with a steel frame also exposed . The workshops wh ich are mainly single-storey utilise the steel structure and careful wall and window detailing to produce a precise industrial character.

9

MOTOR SHOWROOM, BURY Manchester Road

1963

Architects: Northern Design Group Clients: P. & E. Finney Ltd. A single-storey motor showroom designed as a showcase window with ancillary office behind. The showroom which is steel framed owes a great deal to the Miesian aethetic in its separation from ground level and its externally exposed structure. The office structure to the rear is subordinated in the design and has a load bearing brick construction.

10

BRANCH LIBRARY. ROCHDALE Balderstone Park, Oldham Road

1964

Architects: Shepherd Design Group Clients: Rochdale Library Committee A small library designed in three wings to relate to reception space; clerestory lighting has been utilised to provide suitable lighting conditions and window walls used to allow the park and library accommodation to relate together.

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EDUCATIONAL HOSTEL, BOLTON 1964 Tudor Avenue

Architects: Borough Architect Hostel accommodation for approximately 90 students and tutors accommodation designed in two separate groups on a corner site with a separate dining and common room block. Study bedrooms grouped in linked units of 10, each provided with an external balcony.

12

SCHOOL TURTON-EAGLEY C.P.S., BROMLEY CROSS 1965

Architect: Roger Booth, Lanes. County Architect The design consists of two long blocks along the contours of a slightly sloping site with a link block between. The upper block is 2-storied, partly built into the slope with load bearing side walls and central brick spine wall with glazed and horizontally boarded panels as infilling. The whole effect is of an attractive, sensitive and crisply-detailed design fitted appropriately into its site.

13

FLATS, ROCHDALE College Bank

1966

Architect: R. D. Thornley, former Borough Architect College Bank was formerly an obsolete and semi-derelict area of mixed development, and in 1961 the Council decided to erect 7 blocks of multi-storey flats on this sloping site in the Town Centre. The scheme includes 4 blocks of 20-storey flats and 3 blocks of 16-storey flats totalling approximately 750 dwellings. Vehicular traffic is accommodated on a perimeter road at low level serving the garages and the basements of the flats. The roof of the garages forms a podium or pedestrian terrace giving access at ground floor level to the flats. There is direct pedestrian access to the proposed open - market and the Central Area Redevelopment Scheme via subways.

59


ACKNOW LEDGEM ENTS I INDEX MANCHESTER SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS

ACKNOWLEDG EMENTS

INDEX OF NAMES

The Editor and the members of the working group responsible for producing this special number would like to express their gratitude for all the information and helpful advice received from their colleagues in the MSA. In particular they wish to thank, John Archer, Frank I. Jenkins, Arthur Gibbon, Cecil Young and James Harris for contributions to the magazine.

Architectural Research Unit, 34. Austin and Paley, 46. Beaumont, J . S.. 18. The John Bickerdike Partnership, 29. Biggins Associates, 35. Bodley, G. F., 31. Bolton Borough Architects' Dept., 59. British Railways Architects' Dept. (L.M.), 19, 28. Building Design Partnership, 23,29,52. Butterfield, William, 43. Champneys, Basil, 16. Charter Design Group, 41. Chermayeff, Serge, 39. Cheshire County Architects' Dept., 44,52. City Architects' Dept., Manchester, 20,25, 28,29,39.44,51. Covell Matthews and Partners, 19. Cruickshank and Seward, 20,21,22,24,35,50. Dearden, D. G., 55. Drury and Gomersall, 49. Fairhurst, Harry S., &Son, 16,17,18,21 ,23,28,51 . Gibbard, Frederick, 40. Greenhalgh and Williams, 34,57. Harris, J. B., 58. Harris, Vincent, 18. Hattrell, W. S. and Partners, 33.47,55. Hay, G. S. (C.W.S. Architects' Dept.), 20, Hayes, Tom and Partners, 40. Housing Dept., Manchester, 38,54. Howitt and Tucker, 23. Johnston, Ivan and Associates, 47. Lanes. County Architects' Dept., 32,33,34, 59. Leach, Rhodes and Walker, 21,22,24,25,39. Lock, Max and Partners, 41. Lutyens, Edwin, 18. Lyons, Israel and Ellis, 32.40. Mackmurdo and Hornblower, 37. Martin, Leslie, 54. Mellor, Tom, 32. Mortimer and Partners, 28. Neodox Architects Dept., 29. Northern Design Group, 58. Pace, George, 52. Pearson, C.B . and Partners, 39. Playne, Lacey and Valiance, 21 . Powell and Maya, 52. Pugin, E. W., 43. Roberts, Wood and Elder, 31 ,54. Scherrer and Hicks, 35. Sellers, J. H., 38,43. Shepherd Design Group, 22,58. Smith, Peter, 47 . Spence, Basil, 51 . Stockport Borough Architects' Dept., 46.47 . Taylor, Young and Partners, 46,50. Thomas, Percy, 31. Thompson, Eric, Associates, 55. Voysey, C. F. A., 57. Waterhouse, Alfred, 14,1 5,27. Welch, Cachemaille Day and Loudon, 27,50. Williams, Desmond and Associates, 35. Williams, Owen, 19. Womersley, Peter, 28,57. Wood, Edgar, 27,37,38,43,49. Woodhouse, Corbett and Dean, 16. Worthington, Thomas, 14,15, 17,27. Wych, Bowker, Hardy and Associates, 44. Yorke, Rosenberg and Mardall, 58. Young and Purves, 32,33.41 ,51.

Past- Presidents

1865-67 tlsaac Holden, FRIBA, FSI 1867- 69 tWm. R. Corson 1869-71 tAiexander W. Mills, FRIBA 1871-73 tEdward Salomons, FRIBA 1873-75 tJames Murgatroyd, FRIBA, FSI 1875-77 tThomas Worthington, FRIBA 1878-79 tAifredWaterhouse, RA, LLD, FRIBA 1880-81 t J. Medland Taylor 1882-83 tJames Stevens, FRIBA 1884-85 tJohn Holden, FRIBA tGeorge T. Redmayne, FRIBA 1886 tJames Murgatroyd, FRIBA. FSI 1887 1888-89 tWilliam A. Royle, FRIBA 1890-91 tR. Knill Freeman, FRIBA 1892-94 tEdward Salomons, FRIBA 1894-96 tJohn Holden, FRIBA, FSI 1896-98 tJohn Ely, FRIBA 1898-1900tRobe rt I. Bennett, FRIBA 1900-01 tF. H. Oldham, FRIBA 1901-03 tAifred Darbyshire, FRIBA. FSI 1903-05 tJ. W. Beaumont, FRIBA 1905-07 tJ . H. Woodhouse, FRIBA 1907-09 tPauiOgden, FRIBA 1909-11 tSir P. S. Worthington, MA, LittD, FSA, FRIBA 1911-12 tEdgar Wood, FRIBA 1912-14 tJohn Brooke, "FRIBA 1914-16 tFrank B. Dunkerley, FRIBA 1916-18 tJohn B. Gass, FRIBA 1918-20 tlsaac Taylor, FRIBA 1920-22 tA. W. Hennings, FRIBA 1922-24 tFrancis Jones, FRIBA 1924-26 tA. J. Hope, FRIBA 1926-28 tH. S. Fairhurst, FRIBA 1928-29 tFrancis Jones, FRIBA 1929-31 tJ. T. Halliday, FRIBA, MTPI 1931-33 tSir Hubert Worthington, OBE, ARA, FRIBA 1933-35 tJ. R. Adamson, FRIBA 1935-37 tLt.-Col. G. Westcott, OBE, JP, FRIBA 1937-39 tW. A. Johnson, FRIBA 1939-41 tC. Gustave Agate, FRIBA H. T. Seward, FRIBA 1941-45 J. S. Beaumont, MC, BA. FRIBA 1945-47 P. G. Fairhurst, MA, FRIBA 1947-49 F. L. Halliday, FRIBA, AMTPI 1949-51 W. C. Young, FRIBA 1951-53 G. B. Howcroft, MC, MA, FRIBA 1953-55 1955-57 tLeonard C. Howitt, MArch, DA, DipTP, DPA, FRIBA, MTPI Robert M. McNaught, JP, DA, 1957-59 FRIBA, FRIAS 1959-61 tProfessor R. A. Cordingley, MA, MTPI, FRIBA Haydn W. Smith, OBE, FRIBA 1961-63 Eric S. Benson, MBE, MA, 1963-65 DipTP, FRIBA W. A. Gibbon, MA, FRIBA 1965t Deceased 60

Photographic Credits Lancashire Life; Daily Express; The Builder; Architect and Building News; Architectural Review; Manchester Evening News and Chronicle, all gave permission to use copyright material. Other photographs are included by: the late Gerald Sanville ; the Sanville Collection in the School of Architecture, Manchester University; the School of Architecture, Measured Drawing and Photographic Collection; Manchester City Architects' Dept.; Lancashire County Architects' Dept.; Cheshire County Architects' Dept. ; Elsam, Mann and Cooper; British Railways (L.M . Region); H. E. Meyer ; D. Carnwath; Rex Lowden; Sam Lambert; Lawrence A. Sands; K. Boswell ; Entwistle, Thorpe & Co. Ltd.; Peter Ellis; W. J. Smith; Stewart Bale; A. Dennis; J. Parkinson-Jones; Design Services; E. Hollowell. Cesigns for the various area index maps are reproduced from Ordnance Survey Maps with the sanction of the Controller of H.M. Stationery Office, Crown Copyright reserved.

SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY

J. Aiken A description of the country 30-40 miles round Manchester, 1795. T. Baines History of the County, Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, 1836. Revised and edited by J. Harland in 2 vols., 1868. R. W. Procter Memorials of Manchester streets, 1874. Memorials of bygone Manchester, 1880. T. Worthington Cathedral church of Manchester, 1884. W. A. Shaw · Manchester old and new, 3 vols., 1894. C. H. Reilly Some Manchester streets and their buildings, 1924. P. Fleetwood-Hesketh Murray's Lancashire architectural guide, 1955. C. Stewart The stones of Manchester, 1956. The architecture of Manchester, 1956.


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BLUNDELL-PERMOGLAZE LTD LOI«>cN • llkHIN(i,HAt1 • HUU. • JI.QUGif

Pammastic gives you an overall advantage Pammastic Emulsion is based on a unique Acrylic Ter-polymer medium for increased adhesion. flexibility. opacity and weathering. It can be applied by brush. spray or roller to any wall or ceiling surface without primer or undercoat. Inside and outside. Pammastic dries in an hour to a perfect matt finish. Pammastic has been proved durable under severe atmospheric and climatic conditions. and can be washed or scrubbed-

time and time again. Pammastic is available in a complete range of exciting contemporary coloursincluding the BS 2660 range plus white. So look out for our new sign. And pick Pammastic. every time. Pammastic is based on a special grade of DUNLOP POLIMUL One of the world-famous polyvinyl acetat e co-polymer emu lsions developed and manufactured by the Dunlop Chemi cal Products Division. THE SIGN OF GOOD PAINT

PAMMASTIC 8il BLUNDELL-PERMOGLAZE LTD., YORK HOUSE, 37 QUEEN SQUARE, LONDON WC1. MAKERS OF DECORATIVE, INDUSTRIAL. TRANSPORT AND MARINE FINISHES

5


D. A. SLADE (Manchester) LTD. Sole selling agents in Lancashire, Cheshire and North Wales for the following components:

GOXDOME ROOFLIGHTS, VENTILATING UPSTANDS [Wm. J. Cox Ltd.]

GOXPAN ACRYLIC ARCHITECTURAL PANELS [Wm. J. Cox Ltd.]

COX PHONEDOMES [Wm. J. Cox Ltd.]

NYLU LOUVRE WINDOWS [Beta Aluminium Products Ltd.]

STAINLESS STEEL SANITARY WARE [Metaducts Ltd.]

VENETIAN GARAGE DOORS [Metaducts Ltd.]

WASTE KING UNIVERSAL FOOD WASTE DISPOSERS [Anda Ltd.]

Technical Information, Literature, Quotations from:

D. A. SLADE (MANCHESTE R) LTD. 41 JOHN DALTON STREET, MANCHESTER , 2 Tel. 061-832 3175

6


ALUMINIUM DOOR FURNITURE (JiOMBI) Why are so many Architects specifying (ROMBI) Continental Door Furniture, for their industrial, school and housing projects? Firstly

: FOR ITS SUPERB

QUALITY Secondly: FOR ITS MODERN

STYLING Thirdly

FOR ITS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE PRICE STRUCTURE

(ROMBI) DOMESTIC RESIDENCE.

DOOR FURNITURE is also ideal for that- BETIER CLASS DWELLING-

THE

POPULAR

I

ARCHITECT

DESIGNED

May we send you our brochure and price list ?

I

You

will be truly amazed at the value your client will get for his money !

MAIN (ROMBI) DISTRIBUTORS:

22 SPA ROAD, BOLTON

~._~R = O=M = B~I~_A_LU_MINIUM DOOR FURNITURE (ROMBI)


THE NORTH-WEST'S GREATEST POST-WAR DEVELOPMENT

The multi-million MANCHESTER PICCADILLY PLAZA - comprising an Hotel, Office Blocks, Shopping Centre, Garage and underground car park.

built by SUN LEV

Building and Civil Engineering Contractors LONDON

·

PROVINCES

·

OVERSEAS

8


6men can erect a complete house in less than 3weeks (without any mechanical aids)

This is the T&N System-built house. Steel frame. Factory-built components. Dry construction. Parker-Morris standards-or higher. Full conformity with the Building Regulations 1965 and the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1963 0 An important development, the T&N House: one that you must know more about. There is an excellent brochure-please write for it to the Controller of our Building Development Dept.

TURNER & NEWALL LIMITED ASBESTOS HOUSE · FOUNTAIN STREET · MANCHESTER 2 TURNERS ASBESTOS CEMENT CO. LTD • TURNER BROTHERS ASBESTOS CO. LTD • FFRODO LTD • NEWALLS INSULATION & CHEMICAL CO. LTD ·1. W. ROBER'nLTD BRITISH INDUSTRIAL PLASTICS LTD • ENGINEERING COMPONENTS LTD • STILLITE PRODUCTS LTD • TURNERS ASBESTOS FIBRES LTD • & 23 OVERSEAS MINING & MANUFACTURING COMPANIES

9


Round Fibreglass, Glass,Perspex Wired P. V. C. Sizes: Wide varietyfrom 30 ins to8feet

DOMES Rectangular Fibreglass, Glass, Perspex Wired P. V. C. Sizes: Wide variety from 24wx36"to 60"x108"

Louvred dome type ventilator Round, Square, Rectangular. Aluminium. Galvanised M.S., Zinc Spray. With or without hit & miss panels.

'Litex' Fibreglass is made in standard or F R Grade Classification A A. Provides maximum light with minimum glare

Apron Type A Sizes: wide variety to suit most domes

Continuous Unit Lights 'Litex' Fibreglass etc. Sizes: Variety of widths from 3ft. to 6ft. with various sections which can be combined to build up any length of Unit Light.

10


It's llleJ•elg '' 111atter of llsselllblg ollce tl•e site is JlreJiaretl, 1vitl• flllit llltl11striali:etl B11iltlillg Sgste111s Unit Camus is a revolutionary industrialized system which is helping to solve the housing shortage facing local authorities in the North West. It consists of concrete panel'S' which are manufactured in the Unit Camus factory at Kirkby, Lancashire. Windows, thermal insulation, electrical conduits and provisions for all servicPs are cast into the panels during production. Result. Construction times arc much, much shorter. One major construction

programme in the North West where Unit Camus is being used is in the City of Liverpool. The contract is for 2,500 dwellings in 22 and 16 storey blocks and 1,200 garages-all to be completed within five years. (The first completed 22 storey Unit Camus block is shown above). Eight countries throughout the world have already selected Camus as the tr"nd and proved method of incn•asing housing production.

For further information on Unit Camus please write to:

I!:!] Iii] DEijl

The Projects Director

Construction Co ltd

Perimeter Road

Kirkby

Liverpool

11

en Alfred Booth Company


Siporex is not only fireproof

12


It's heatproof!

Buildings constructed with Siporex can be almost immune from fire-spread hazards. To give you some idea: Fire Research Station tests show that standard 5" thick load-bearing Siporex roof slabs have a 2 hour grading. whilst 3" non -load-bearing partition slabs have a 3 hour grading and 6" non-load-bearing wall slabs have the maximum British Standard grading achievable of 6 hours. That alone would make a very good reason for building with Siporex. But no other structural material in the world has better thermal insulation. It's matchless too for its strength/density ratio and ease of construction. Siporex in fact makes sense in many ways. Why not find out more about this remarkable lightweight. aerated concrete by writing to Costain Concrete Company Limited. Duncan House. Dolphin Square. London. S.W.1 .. or Newarthill. Lanarkshire. Scotland SIPOREX 13


~ ~ piiiUVnfor.~~ w~1 lill~n of V at

~~

alteVnclb'~ hppia! p<1ttm1

pill!~~

a range designed to attract Expressly designed for !SORA by John and Sylvia Reid, A /A.R.I.B .A. F/ F.S.J.A., the new ARCHITECTURAL RANGE of luminous ceiling panels offers to architects the greatest possible freedom of ceiling design. A virtually unlimited variety of sculptural and wave form effects may be created by using a small number of basic design shapes. Thus every ceiling can be unique but may be completely changed in minutes I The ARCHITECTURAL RANGE is the latest in the developing family of !SORA luminous, louvred, acoustic and air handling ceilings. May we send you details 7

Write for illustrated brochures and technical data, or why not ring us ? Name

ISORA ILLUMINATING CEILINGS LTD Company ..•.•.•••••.•••••••••••.•••••••••••••••••• - -- ·············

BUCKINGHAM AVENUE WEST·SLOUGH · BUCKS

Address ...••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.••••••• .

A member of th e King Group of Companies at Slough

TELEPHONE: SLOUGH 26851

ANW

THE

ESTABLISHED LEADERS IN TRANSLUCENT CEILINGS

14

..


~

1 9 6 6

THE QUEEN 'S AWARD TO INDUSTRY

TAYLOR

~OODROVV

ST. ALBAN'S ROAD · STAFFORD · STAFFS. · PHONE STAFFORD 3354/5

15


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Archllects: Cruickshank and Seward

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new- under the sun •••T

Architectural imagination and Asbestos-Cement combine to give an intriguing visual effect to the Manchester College of Science and Technology. Asbestos-Cement Louvres are a new concept; they are practical in purpose and also add pattern and modelling visually. A manual control within the building gives measured daylight at the "turn of a handle" ensuring a comfortable level of lighting and freedom from glare at any time of the day, whilst externally, the ever-changing angles create a varied architectural image depending upon lighting and angle of view. Maintenance will never be a problem; the properties of Asbestos-Cement see to that. A wide range of factory-applied colour finishes banish thoughts of the austere.

Asbestos-Cement is so versatile that, today, creative architects are putting it to work in ways not previously envisaged. If you have an original task for Asbestos-Cement, enlist the aid of the T.A.C. Technical Department, in "throwing new light" upon your specific needs.

~

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TUR NER l NEWALL COMPANY

: NV

TURNERS ASBESTOS CEMENT CO. LTD. Trafford Park, Manchester 17 Telephone: TRAfford Park 2181 Telex: 66 639 Regional Sales Offices: London, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Nottingham & York.

16


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Travelling Cradle and Scaffold Co. Ltd., 3 Woodside Green, London SE25 Telephone Addiscombe 7721

Branches throughout the country 17


•

Ul

Factory at Ditton, Lancashire for Turners Asbestos Cement Co. Ltd. Architects : HARRY S. FAIRHURST A ND SON. Contractor: A. MONK AND CO. LTD.

*

. JOHN BOOTH & SONS (BOLTON) LTD., Hulton Steelworks, Bolton, Lanes. Telephone: Bolton 61191 London: 8 Victoria Street, S.W.1. Telephone: Abbey 7162

18


Bricks the Modern

Way

MAKING

DELIVERING

Bricks the Roughdales

Way HOUSING

ROUGHDALES BRICKWORKS LTD. BURTONHEAD ROAD, ST. HELENS TELEPHONE : 27307

19


What makes Architects consult ICI? Many leading architects consult ICI Plastics Division about the applications of plastics in building. Why?

Research. Service. ICI carries out a programme of exacting and patient research to develop new applications of plastics materials in building.

The Plastics Division has produced prototype prefabricated units and built a house to demonstrate the suitability of plastics materials. The information ICI has accumulated is freely available to architects, together with advice, on the use of plastics in building.

And You? Could ICI Plastics Division assist you? If so, please telephone or write to: Mr. W. L. Thorne, Development Department, Tel. Welwyn Garden 23400, Imperial Chemical Industries Limited, Plastics Division, Welwyn Garden City, Herts.

The leaders in plastics

PG76

20


Architects : Harry S . Fairhurst & Son, Manchester

Quantity Surveyors : Brown & Spencer, Manchester

This cast insitu concrete abstract design which forms a feature on the new office block for I. C. I. Limited, Pharmaceuticals Division, stands out not only because it is¡ in--relief but also because it is part of an outstanding project. Yet another example of MONK ability to interpret architectural inspiration.

conslruclionwise

The Building, Civil Engineering & Reinforced Concrete Contractor

A. MONK & COMPANY LTD. WARRINGTON & LONDON Offices at Hull, Middlesbrough & Stamford H254¡3

21


j

..

"For over 90 years we have developed an organisation to market only the best in Architectural lronmongery and to offer the Architect and Contractor service whether he is specifying £10 or £100,000 worth of lronmongery"

LAIDLAW & THOMS ON LTD 19 CHEETHAM HILL ROAD MANCHESTE R 4 Telephone: DEAnsgate 8812 (8 lines)

22


go to

unive rsity This is the desk we multiplied by several hundred for the University of Lancaster. To each .•. a chair. Styled In the same modern idiom. Desk and chair engineered in wood for the toughness to see them through decades of service. In the contract, too ... tables, easy chairs, curtains, carpets and other items. All conveying that air of quality expected of Hill Gordon comprehensive furnishing. For we've been at It a long time, building up the experience which makes sure the job looks right ••• and is priced right. Based in London and in Preston, Hill Gordon are organised for country-wide coverage,

Write for Hill Gordon literature.

hill gordo•• ltd.

London Office : 72 Wigmore Stroot, London, W.t. Hunl•r 5011

23

Off/co and Showroom: 28 Broadgat•, Pr•ston, Lanes Pruton (OPR2) 571/Jt-1.


Leave room in your plans for

Rocksil

Rocksil is the versatile rockwool insulation for modern bu il ding construct ion . Supplied in plain or sewn qu ilts, mats, resin bonded slabs, pipe sections and blankets. Each form is specially developed for thermal and sound insulation or acoustic treatment. Ask for general brochure SfB Kml and individual product data sheets.

Cape Insula tion limite d (A member of th e Cape Asbestos Group of Co mpanie s)

114 Park Street, London W.1. Tel: GRO sven or 6022. Tel ex: 23759. Gra ms: C iap Londo n Telex.

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WHY THIS DOOR ?

because the beauty of carefully matched West African Cedar Veneers, combined with rigid strength and quality controlled production, gives refinement of detailed finish at reasonable cost. That is why architects and builders specify THE GLIKSTEN MARK 12 FLUSH DOOR Supplied individually wrapped for complete protection . Manufactured by the leading suppliers of flush doors to local authorities, contractors and builders.

r1-;rile (or (u~;;a~ of -;;;;·;a;;;e:, GL;.;;;;;-0~;;1 I I I I II I

Including the SILKSTONE Flush Door, 'the best door In the world (or painting.'

NAME ................................................. ..... ADDRESS ................................................

I I I I II I

L..:.:.:.:::::.:.:.::::.:.::.:.:.::.:.::.:.:.:::·..:.:.:.::.:.::.:.:.:::·.:.::.:.:.::.:.::.:.:..J 25

GLIKSTEN DOORS LIMITED Carpenters Road, London, E.15. Tel: AMHerst 3300 Tel: Central 3441 87 Lord Street, Liverpool 2, Tel: Central 76246/7 Leads Road, Hull.


Inspired by new materials ••• paced by new techniques ..•

From British Gypsum come the vital inner skins for Britain's bright new buildings Whether it is construction by the latest industrialised and system methods. or by ways more traditional. the all-important inner skins are a speciality of British Gypsum Limited. the source of modern time-saving materials for the new face of Britain. Recommended inner skins are: THISTLEBONO DRY LINING • GYPROC PLASTERBOAROS AND PLASTIC · FACEO BOARDS PARAMOUNT DRY PARTITIONS • CARLilE, SIRAPITE, STATilE AND THISTLE PLASTERS ACOUSTIC AND DECORATIVE TILES • PARACLIP METAL FIXING SYSTEM FOR CEILING AND WALL LINING AND SUSPENDED CEILINGS • AND FOR ROOFS, GYPKLITH WOOD WOOL SLABS, SPANLOCK AND DRI·DE.K

27

British Gypsum Limited A member of the BPB Industries Group Ferguson House, 15-17 Marylebone Rd., London NW1 Telephone: HUNter 1282 Telex 24902 and 25242


STILSOUND ARE PROUD TO HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH CEILINGS AND BLINDS ON THE FOLLOWING FEATURED MANCHESTER BUILDINGS Co-operative Insurance Bldg.

Anderton House, Leigh

Piccadilly Plaza St. James Club

Whitworth Art Gallery

Platt Bros Sales, Oldham

I.C.I. Alderly Park

Law Courts

St. James House

P & E Finney, Bury

Barclay's Fountain St.

William Deacons Head Office N.W.E.B. Dickinson St.

·

Automobile Association Library Stretford Rd.

Manchester University (Various Bldgs) Didsbury Training College

Scottish Life

Salford Technical College

Salford College of Advanced Technology

Stilsound Ceilings Ltd. Stilsound Blinds Ltd. Mersey Industrial Estate Heaton Mersey Stockport Cheshire

Tel: HEA 5303 (10 lines)

28


The

I FRAM I

Group WRIGHT ROBINSON HALL STUDENTS UNION

UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Architects : Cruickshank & Seward

Photorrapher : Sam Lambert

The Russell Building & Contracting Co. Ltd. civil engineering & building contractors

The FRAM Reinforced Concrete Co. Ltd. specialists in reinforced concrete work

FRAM Precast Concrete Ltd. structural precast concrete manufacturers

Vibrated Concrete Construction Co. Ltd. reinforced concrete engineers· and contractors

Warsop Dewatering Ltd. geophysical process contractors London 171 Victoria Street Westminster S.W.I VICtoria 5982

Manchester

Birmingham

Glasgow

165 Plymouth Grove Manchester 13 ARDwick 4521

Whitacre Heath Coleshill, Nr. Birmingham Coleshill 3631

4 La Belle Place Glasgow Douglas 6861

29


more . . . . . . . . . . . . and more . . . ~ . . . and yet more authorities are specifying double-glazi ng with

TBER MOV ITRIN E INSULATION UNITS

-

BUILDING TRADES

EXHIBITION OCT. 11 to 22 1966

MUI

Whatever your building project window insulation is a must. To accommodate most types of frame. Thermovitrine sealed units are made in t", ·i". t". ,t" or f ' cavity sizes. but where maximum insulation is essential. t" cavity units are recommended. Stepped units also available. We will be pleased to assist with your specific problem or send you our brochure containing full details. technical data and also. a handy pocket size chart of "U" Values-a useful reference for making comparisons of the various cavity sizes. All Thermovitrine units are backed by a five years warranty. LEFT PICTUR.E: Stockport Corporation Flats. H9aton Tow9rs. Archit9ct: Mr. JohnS . Rank A.R.I.B.A. Boraugh Archit9Ct, Stockport• • RIGHT PICTURE: Stalybridg9 Corporation. Astral House. Architects: TurMr & Benson. Stockport.

. D

THERM OVITRI NE DOUBLE GLAZING UNITS rrr:ii1 '!'n:~~~~~o'

are manufactured by THERMOVITRINE LTD .• Hyde, Cheshire. Tel: Hyde 1234 (31ines)

~ ~~~~~tion


c R E UNDtion

a m r o f n i f o e n i By am

age g this p n i l i f tion on below. a d m r e t o s f li in tacts are f getting useful n o c le n. b Valua obligatio k way o t ic u u o q h t a i w e ervices, you hav s f o e g ran onry, site s, s a m a whole d n crete a n, sample core n o c n tio ctio g Construuays, investigachanics, v ib r o - tion in r e e in g n c q Civil E ssil me p compa , jetties,

D

(dee dams ter f lo t a t io n ation soils), w a aBridges, , docks, roads, ls, a s o f found deep and explor sea wall s, hotels, hospit ir sealing, ling. reservo stores, silos, ks. r , t o r y dril schools and kindred wo railway ineering l drivage, g n E g in ne s ; Min n king, tunds, Demolitio crete f o u n d a t iol-n in s t f a h a S n e ro ; Mass co d concrete, ste krground s, skip pockets e d n u e c ic m da reinfor masonry o r br r k ; nctions, construction. ju o , d lw e e e m r t fra headgea ctures; s . b u i l t strus. Site clearance ) chimney lancing. Piling (caisson ic r e m t r e e m h T Large diaored piling, eering in g , n . g E in d t n u Grou piling, b ical auger piling vial gro u ll a d n n a mech Rock a ing and e c n is e a r id s m echanical da sub M , d g n in a n l e a Structur Site erection o f lant. s t r e n g t h l treatment, f o ia n n l p d e io (rem solidat under- Erectioms o f industria n o c g in r all fo in c lu d workings and n o f n: l io a t o a Thomso c r . o t G s o ld e 1 r 4 , 5 fires) ; 75/54 ster 541y 3838 J. Harleyd e n 3271 / 3 ground a c n o D w - C it Jones,· e y. r - W a lk 7 9 A. R. T. Sara; G la s g o r; M a n c h e s t e9 A . S. H u m p h r 4 9 l3 o t le / . B r is e 29068 A. J. Sad h 2575 D

E

F

D r o it w ic- P o ll a r d s 5030 astle-upon- Tyn L o n d o nu m p h r e y ; Newc H. S. H

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ENGINEERS D N A S R O TRACT INING CON M D N A DING CIVIL, BUIL L A N IO T A INTERN 31


~

Buildings in Lancashire For economi c and efficient construc tion consult Shepher d Taylor

Shepherd Taylor Offices

Middleton Town Hall

Belle Vue Granada Bowl

Manchester City Social Club Cocktail Bar

SHEPHERD TAYLOR LTD., HAROLD STREET, CORNBROOK , MANCHESTER 16 TELEPHONE TRAFFORD PARK 3045 A MEMBER OF THE SHEPHERD BUILDING GROUP

Shepherd Taylor 32


Multi services bgMattnewH

Matthew Hall Mechanical Services Limited Matthew Hall House 101-1 08 Totten ham Court Road London W.1. Tel: MUSeum 3676

I Dennis House 1 Pall Mall, Manchester

I Tel: BLAckfrlars 5814

33

Matthew Hall (Pty) Limited Sydney, N.S.W. Australia


for a beauti fully appoin ted house, office, restau rant, hotel, exhibit ion, shop, school, hospita l, palace, airport, gymna sium, yacht, bedsitt er, penthouse , church , hostel , barrac ks, conserv atory, college , club, surgery , studio, castle, temple , marque e, mansion, synago gue, bar, cinema , flat, court, station, cottage , embass y, planetarium , theatre , cafe, showro om, mosque , museum , hall, observa tory, pied-a -terre , univer sity, library , love-n est, pub, boardi ng house, stadium , agency , inn, chalet, bungalow, cave, igloo, chapel, tent, hut, motel, wigwa m, lodge, cabin, liner, aeropl ane, carava n, train, coach, boutiqu e, music hall, appoin t Hille. Given anything from just an empty space to a fully detailed specification Hille can provide exactly the environment required. We do the complete job, floor to ceiling using exciting, often unique materials and fittings. • CallusatManch ester: 50 Sackville St, Manchester 1. Tel: Central6929 Watford: 134 St. Albans Road. Watford. Herts. Tei:Watford 42241 Birmingham: 24 Albert Street Birmingham 4. Tel: Midland 7378 Edinburgh: 25a South West Thistle Street Lane, Edinburgh 2. Tel: Caledonian 6234 London: 41 Albemarle Street, London, W.1. Tel: Hyde Park 9576-9 26

CONTRACT DIVISION

c ~

zc(


Maximum lig ht-minimum cost-the CORDAR range of roofl ights provides these and combines functional and aesthetic design developments to meet your most exacting needs. The acrylic Skydome illustrated above is one of an ord er for North Africa.

INSULATION

The CORDAR continuous BARREL Light

Cordar Skydo mes are the on ly acrylic rooflights avai lable w ith hermeticall y seal ed dou ble skins - th us adding valuable insL·Iati on and anti-co ndensation qualit ies to 92 % light tra nsm iss ion . They're available in fire resistant materials too! Also CORDA R BARREL li Qhts in sing le and double skin

VENTILATION

Controlled ventilation can be achieved with the CORDAVENT hinged frame (illustrated) Permanent or controlled ventilation can also be arranged with CORDAVENT louvered curbs.

The CORDAVENT hmged frame for controlled ventilation

WRITE FOR FULLY ILLUSTRATED BROCHURE & PRICE LIST TO

COR DAR

LTD

34 DEAN STREET • NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE 1 Telephone: 26214/5/6 P0876

Area Agents : SIDNEY LEE & PARTNERS, 79 OSWALD ROAD, CHORLTON-CUM-HARDY, MANCHESTER 21.

3-J.


The "DORIAN" PEDESTAL WASHBASIN SIZE 25"xl8" Exclusively designed and distributed by Baxendale & Co. Ltd.

e

Modern, clean-cut shape and superbly practical

e

Anti-splash rim at front of washbasin

A~ailable

for ordinary tap fittings or combination m1xer sets

• When used with the 'Dorian' pedestal as illustrated 'extra rigidity' brackets are supplied • May be used without pedestal on specially safe wall supporting brackets

The "PATRICIAN" W.C. SUITE Exclusively designed and distributed by Baxendale & Co. Ltd.

e

Modern, close-coupled syphonic Suite with silent flush

e

Full bore (3 4 ) trappage helps eliminate risks of blockage

e

Available in 2, 2-! or 3 gallon capacity cisterns (as required to pass local Water Authorities)

e

Cisterns supplied with water connections for either side or bottom supply and overflow

e e

W .C. available with 'S', 'P' or turned 'P' traps Also available as a low-level suite using 6" flushpipe

Full Details and Terms on Request

BAX ENDALE & MILLER STREET, MANCHESTER 4

co.

LTD.

Tel: BLAckfriars 8282 (26 lines) Branches at LIVERPOOL· EDINBURGH· DUBLIN· LANCASTER· LEEDS· BLACKPOOL

35


Left Lunel Rubane & Russo Lavento

polished recesses.

marble.

Lights

1n

right centre Wedgewood decorated Blue mantel, hand painted tile inter ior, marble hearth

richt mantel , Verdi White Lou1s Moncoive Marble interior.

Left centre Adam mantel, stainless steel dog crate marble recess and hearth .

These fireplaces are exclusive desicns by Col in Blakey of Blakey Ranges Limited, who specialise in Adam and period su ites .

Viewing at the Gallery is by appointm e nt : Telephone Colin Blakey at Nelson 64941 .

The CORINTHIAN GALLERY BLAKEY

RANGES

LTD.,

NELSON,

LANCASHIRE

Heavy Duty Asphalt Flooring This remarkable flooring is available in various grades to satisfy modern industrial requirements. It can be laid over worn flags or concrete, giving a level and economic wearing surface ready for the heaviest industrial usage two hours after laying.

&

TOWNSON

ASPHALTS

Higher Swan Lane

(Asphalt Division of William Townson & Sons Ltd.)

MAAC of the Mastic Asphalt Advisory Council

Member<

36

Bolton

Telephone: BOLTON 62121 (10 lines)


KEN YON

1866 1966

Pioneers of Thermal and Acoustic Insulation in the North West Kenyon Service to Manchester Building covers:•

THERMAL INSULATION

ACOUSTIC ENGINEERING

FIRE PROTECTION OF STRUCTURAL STEELWORK

ACOUSTIC CEILINGS

WILLIAM KENYON & SONS (THERMAL INSULATIONS) LTD.

Kenyon. as special ists in structural insulation design, offer manufacturing and erection resources specially geared to anticipate and meet the ever growing demand for safe and efficient conditions in all types of building .

Albert Works · Dukinfield • Cheshire Telegrams : ' Kenyon ', Dukinfield . Telephone : ASHton-under-Lyne 5651 /9. Works at Dukinfield, Cheshire; London; Blackburn ; Motherwell & Toome Bridge, Co. Antrim.

EY li WHITES DOOR LININGS tf/Ye ti~-.t'flfe~f Large range of standard sizes, tongued at angles for fast assembly. Immediate delivery from stock. Order them with TRUFLUSH doors, when and where you want them.

Bailey & Whites BAILEY & WHITES (Southern) LTD., Hllsea Industrial Estate, Portsmouth. Tel: Portsmouth 64433 Easthampstead Road, Bracknell, Berks. Tel: 21414/3476 BAILEY & WHITES (Midlands) LTD., Dlglls Dock, Worcester. Tel: 27277

37


YEARS of 'know how' and that's not all . we carry the largest and most comprehensive stock in

now in the north west ... wall hessians linens sheers drapes wall hangings by london seventy limited

MANCHES TER and

LIVERPOOL

RALLS

ROGERS LIMITED

BUILDERS & PLUMBERS MERCHANTS

on show at london seventy's showroom at 7 roscoe street, liverpool 1 telephone roy 2660

ESTABLISHED 1792

SANITARY WARE FOR SCHOOLS & HOSPITALS INDUSTRIAL & DOMESTIC KITCHEN EQUIPMENT & CONSULTANCY SERVICE STOCKISTS & SUPPLIERS OF ALL BUILDING AND PLUMBING MATERIALS COMPREHENSIVE SHOWROOMS FEATURING BATHROOM AND SANITARY DISPLAYS AND MODERN KITCHEN LAYOUTS FIREPLACES AND CENTRAL HEATING BOILERS

lli:B\ \!!.Dizo

HALL AND ROGERS LIMITED, TARIFF ST., DALE ST., MANCHESTER, 1.

Phone: CENtral 8291 (6 lines) AND AT LIVERPOOL

38


how feasible is DOMESTIC AIR CONDITIONING t Air conditioning is now fully domesticated I However, it is doubtful if you would recognise it in this new form, for invariably it goes under a different name. To appreciate how names and even attitudes can change, one has to consider independently the separate aspects of air conditioning within the contest of this special application. That is to say, which of the various elements, such as filtration, humidification, etc., are really appropriate domestically here in the North West? Consider first filtration. The North West region is one of heavy industrialisation and consequently suffers from considerable atmospheric pollution. By necessity therefore, effective filtration has to be part of domestic air conditioning. There are two main methods available. The simplest and cheapest is provided by the mechanical filter which is basically a porous medium suspended across the air flow. Efficiencies of up to 85 per cent for particles down to five microns (dust, pollen, etc.), are feasible. For smaller particles (smoke, fumes) a principle of ionisation is employed in the "electrostatic" filter. These have efficiencies of up to 95 per cent for particle size down to one micron. Secondly humidification. This aspect really depends on whether the system is delivering a heating or cooling load. During the heating cycle, cool air, which under normal conditions has an adequate humidity level, is passed through the heat exchanger and expands, so causing its relative humidity to drop. Low relative humidity means that the air is capable of taking in moisture, that is to say "drying" its surroundings, and that is exactly what it will do to everything in the house, including the human respiratory tracts, skin and ha1r. So consequently, domestic air conditioning should include humidification. Finally the heating/cooling element of air conditioning. This factor is completely dependent on the temperature gradient, that is to say, on whether the building is losing heat to, or gaining heat from its ambient atmosphere. It is expedient to resort to a geographical term and describe our climate as "temperate-experiencing no extremes of heat or cold", and therefore suggest that there is no generalised demand for "cooling" from domestic air conditioning. The optimum air conditioning system for domestic applications would therefore appear to be "air conditioning less cooling", which is in fact exactly what "warm air central heating" is. This argument is however slightly too advanced for the majority of house owners who still demand "just central heating", and think of warm air as a pure heating system. Obviously within this context also, warm air heating excels. Warm air heating is hidden heating; neat, unobtrusive grille outlets replace radiators. A grill the size of this advertisement will provide as much heat as a radiator four feet long by two feet high, or forty times its size. The system responds quickly, precisely, selectively, gently circulating warmth when and where you need it. Warm air from cold in just two minutes, dictated by automatic controls. The air is completely recirculated and filtered-clean every twenty minutes; moving air is fresh air. Dryness and stuffiness, common with other heating systems, can be automatically compensated by the built-in humidifier. These outstanding features and many more make warm air heating the most advanced heating system available. We suggest, however, that ducts, furnaces, grilles, registers, dampers, controls ... do not necessarily mean good warm air heating and warm air heating does not mean good heatingonly when CAN DAI R warm air is specified are you assured of these things. CAN DAI R engineering company limited, of Johnson Brook Works, Johnson Brook Road, Hyde, Cheshire, telephone HYDe 3543, plan, design and engineer warm air systems. Their services are based on the fullest knowledge and experience of air flow and heat transfer. This expertise is the guarantee. Their factory contains the finest facilities, skills and ability available for the manufacture of modern mild steel ducting. Every item of the duct system is engineered from principles of aerodynamics. Production has been geared to the high output required by large contracts with local authorities for industrialised building and multi-storey development. This means real value for your money too. Make sure that your future specifications include

CANDAIR warmair SYSTEMS 39


(MANCHESTER)

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS & MECHANICAL ENGINEERS In over 70 years of progress these are just two of the hundrfds of contracts successfully completed. Our experience includes special reference to heavy industrial installa-

tions in Steel. Power, Chemical, Textile and Paper Industries, Universities, commercial and public buildings. Our branches cover the country and our engineers are at your service.

Serving the Nation - C:::;7~ (MANCHESTER)

W. J. FURSE & CO. (MANCHESTER ) LTD. 221 ORDSALL LANE SALFORD 5. TELEPHONE T/PARK (3391) lines

The North's Largest Stockists of GLASS MOSAIC, CERAMIC MOSAIC, FULLY VITRIFIED FLOOR TILES, GLAZED VITRIFIED WALL TILES, POLISHED AND RUSTIC MARBLE TILES, RECONSTRUCTED MARBLE SLABS AND TILES, QUARTZITE TILES AND RANDOM PIECES, QUARTZ AND MARBLE AGGREGATES, MARBLE CHIPPINGS AND PEBBLES, RUBBER FLOORING, SKIRTINGS, METAL, PLASTIC AND EBONITE DIVIDING STRIP

BINNS ROAD, LIVERPOOL, 13

Also Agents for Machines and Equipment for the Flooring and Concrete Industries

Tel: Stoneycroft 2626/7 PBX.

1890- 1966 GLA SS

One year old when M.S.A. was founded, we have been co operating with Manchester architects for seventy-six years 1n the supply and fixing of

for Windows & Decoratio n ARTISTS IN STAINED AND ETCHED GLASS MAKERS OF LEADED AND COPPER LIGHTS, GLASS-CONCRETE WINDOWS . . . MIRRORS, GLASS CHALKBOARDS, ETC. GLAZING CONTRACTORS, NOTED FOR DOUBLE GLAZING, ALLGLASS ASSEMBLIES, 'PROFILIT' AND GLASS WALL LININGS.

We specialise in architectural schemes and are always happy to advise about the uses of glass.

CHARLES LIGHTFOO T LIMITED BROOKSIDE GLASS WORKS, 81 UPPER BROOK STREET, MANCHESTER 13. Telephone: ARDwick 1134-S-6.

40

see our exhibit at the Manchester Building Centre


Leot

opplied

COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS

Oil Fired Warm Air Hot Water Heating Ventilation Steam Boiler Plant Air Conditioning Pipework Services 24hr Oil Burner Service

SHEPHERD AIRCONDITIONING (MANCHESTER) LTD. 28 Greek Street, Stockport, Cheshire.

Telephone STO 7433 PBX

TILL

&

KENNEDY

member of the Guild of Architectural lronmongers

Suppliers of builders' and architectural ironmongery housing schemes, banks, schools and public authorities. Large stockists and suppliers of: Builders lronmongery Architectural lronmongery Smokeless Fuel Appliances Bathroom Suites Henderson Sliding door Gear

TILL & KENNEDY LTD. Till & Kennedy Ltd., Cavendish House, All Saints, Manchester. ARDwick 4781 (10 lines)

Fitted Kitchens Sink Units Fireplaces Central Heating

Delivery in all areas TWICE A WEEK

Branch Showrooms: 4.6.6a Grove Avenue, Wilmslow. Tel. LP6 7804

See our special display of ironmongery in our Permanent Architectural Showroom at All Saints.

The Architecture of Colen Campbell

Manchester and its Region

H. STUTCHBURY. This bookisconcernedwithCampbell's significance as the first of the Georgian Palladians and with his responsibility for introducing most of the fundamental characteristics of Georgian architecture. It has 180 illustrations on 60 plates, which include all Campbell's designs, photographs of surviving buildings and several previously unpublished drawings. About 84s. net

C. F. CARTER edits the British Association Volume of 1962. " The best general account of Manchester and its district that has yet appeared "- Geographical Journal. " A most interesting and permanent record of Manchester up to 1962 "- Nature. Illustrated. 30s. net

Traditional Domestic Architecture in the Banbury Region

The Letters of Mrs. Gaskell

R. B. WOOD-JONES. "This beautiful, erudite and welldocumented work . . . likely to prove of great value in conservation, as well as to architects, local authorities and antiquarians "- Economist. "A pioneer study, skillfully written, clearly planned ... will be of immense benefit to all serious students "- The Antiquaries Journal. Illustrated. 63s. net

J. A. V. CHAPPLE & ARTHUR POLLARD edit a definitive collection of Mrs. Gaskell's letters written between 1832 and 1865. Among her correspondents are Elizabeth Barrett, Leigh Hunt and John Ruskin, and the letters, which are lively and interesting, cover a wide range of topics from family matters to literature and current events. 1036 pp. 6 gns. net

MANCHESTER

UNIVERSITY

41

PRESS


Corinthian Group

of Architectural Journals

now includes: ARCHITECTURE WALES, PERSPECTIVE EAST YORKSHIRE, ARCHITECTURE EAST MIDLANDS, NORTHERN ARCHITECT, and ARCHITECTURE NORTH WEST. Manufacturers and merchants interested in all these markets should enquire for advertisement rates from The Advertisement Manager, Corinthian Press, 258 Gray's Inn Road, London, W.C.I. Telephone: TERminus 3311

10,000 sq. ft. of showrooms and 20,000 sq. ft. of warehousing space devoted to Kitchenware, Sanitaryware, Plumbing, Heating and Builders' Supplies.

Come and see the large range of kitchen units and bathroom suites, fireplaces and central heating systems, gas and electric appliances, household fixtures and fittings, all on display in sp.aciotJs new showrooms. Special Trade Counter.

Builders' Supplies (Leigh) Ltd.,

15, Lord St. South, Leigh, Lanes. Tel. 71145.

42


AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY easily installed

weather proof

CONTACT

AIRVIEWS MANCHESTER AIRPORT

no maintenance

panels easily replaced

MERCURY 2502 - 5262 (Ext. 246)

patented design

Redfern Neoprene Structural Gaskets are first choice for curtain-wall facades. industrial building, window glazing. pre-cast concrete unit joints. etc. Made from maintenance-free Neoprene. they offer a fast. easy, economical method of installation and a permanent. weatherproof seal for glass or panels.

Find out more about Redfern Structural Gaskets and EFAB vacuum-applied seals: send for literature to

Redfern Polymers Limited HYDE· CHESHIRE· ENGLAND STD 061 HYD 2621 Telex 668715

full technical service 43

LTD


INTER I OR

FURNISHINGS

e CURTAINS e CARPETS e FURNITURE

e

BAR SEATING

7-10 DAY CURTAIN SERVICE from our own workroom

3 EBERLE STREET (OFF DALE STREET) LIVERPOOL 2 TEL. MARITIME 1411-2

COMPLETE SCHEMES & LAYOUTS SUPPLIED

VAL

DE TRAVERS ASP HALTE LTO

are proud to be associated with many of these important projects including: ROOFS

-

ROADS

-

PAVING

DAMP PROOF COURSING

-

-

TANKING

FLOORING

MANCHESTER MODE WHEEL ROAD, WEASTE Trafford Park 2972

LIVERPOOL 39/49 EATON STREET Central 6102/3

44


Next time this feature apppears chances are they'll still be featuring I

DIUEDALE

BRIEH5 II

Because Dovedale Bricks are reconstructed stone, they grow harder as they grow older, not reaching peak hardness until many years after they have been laid. Manufactured by the latest methods from one of the world's oldest materials-limestone from the Derbyshire Peak-Dovedale bricks are highly resistant to sunlight, frost, moisture, ozone and atmospheric corrosion . Close laboratory and production control means consistent quality and consistent dimensions, and the attractive colours in which the bricks are available are constant right through to the centre of the brick. Buildings in the Manchester area in which Dovedale Bricks, in various textures, sizes and strengths, have been used include: Highland House, Victoria Bridge; New Commercial Union Buildings, Mosley Street; and the Manchester University Arts Building. They have also been extensively used by Manchester Corporation and other public bodies, leading Architects and Builders. For full details of Dovedale Bricks, including samples and prices, write now under reference M B.13.

DOVEDALE BRICK CO. LTD. Mevnl Springs Works. Whaley Bridge, Nr. Stockport Telephone : WH2 . 2194/5/6

Albany Court Withington, Manchester

was designed and built by

Neodox Contractors Ltd 16 Old Market Place, Altrincham, Cheshire 45


Tarmac Building Limited

•

Main Contractors for Quay House, Quay Street, Manchester.

Tarmac Building Limited Ettingshall Wolverhampton

PAVING

THE BREAKTHROUGH? EDENHALL Exposed Aggregate Pavings are made automatically, and really are competitive in price.

*

THE COLOURS cannot fade-the aggregates provide it. Granites, river gravel and limestone are used, giving a hard-wearing surface with terrific non-slip properties.

*

THEY'RE MADE specifically as pavings, and have aggregate maximum ;! in . in size.

*

SIZE: 2 ft. by 2 ft. and 2 ft. 6 in. by 2 ft. or

EDEN HALL CONCRETE PRODUCTS LTD. PENRITH - CUMBERLAND Tel. langworthy 366/7/ 8 46

2~

in.


GRANITE, THE

STONE WITH A PAST. ALL IN ONE. FUTUREAND PRESENT

WHEN QUALITY, FINISHANDTROUBLE FREE MAINTENANCE IS THE KEYNOTE- REMEMBER- THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR GRANITE

CONSIDER NO OTHER MATERIAL HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME SO WELL.

CONSIDER ITS STRENGTH, CONTINUING FRESH APPEARANCE, LACK OF HEAVY MAINTENANCE AND THE QUALITY AND DIGNITY IT GIVES TO MODERN BUILDINGS.

CONSIDER FOR THE SAKE OF THE FUTURE PARATIVE COST.

ITS COM-

CONSULT

PATTESONS of MANCHESTER Craftsmen in fine building stones since 1805. 48 SEYMOUR GROVE, OLD TRAFFORD. TRA 2873-4. 4164-5 S.T.D.061. GRANITE CLADDING ON THE NEW ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES OF WILLIAMS DEACONS BANK LIMITED, MANCHESTER Architects:- HARRY S. FAIRHURST & SON

COMPLETE SIGN SERVICE THROUGHOUT THE NORTH

MANCHESTER NEON CONTRACTORS lTD. CHADDOCK lANE BOOTHSTOWN Nr. WAlKDEN lANCS

TEL. WALKDEN 3227-8

47


Lightning Conductors

6lanwin Furnishing Co.

John Faulkner

Contracts Division

& Sons Limited

Hotel - Club - Office

Have provided protection from I ightn i ng to most of the principle buildings in Manchester for over I 00 Years.

FURNISHING ALL MAKES OF BRANDED CARPETS AND FURNITURE SUPPLIED AND FITTED AT SPECIAL CONTRACT RATES

FALCON WORKS ST. CHAD'S STREET, MANCHESTER, 8.

Office and Showrooms:

I05-1 07 Shaw Street, Liverpool 6 NOR 1544

Established 1861

Tel. DEAnsgate 6330

INDUSTRIAL

SHOPFITTING

MODELS LTD. by

(Incorporating Industrial Mimics & Electronics Ltd.)

Lower Wharf St., Ashton-u-Lyne, Lanes. Telephone: Ashton-u-Lyne 1691-2 As pioneers of the Design Model Technique, now accepted and used throughout Industry, our unique and wide experience is at your service in all types of model work whether it be Architectural, Design, Mock-ups, Prototypes, Sales, Exhibition, etc.

par n a II s

ot

manchester

AS SPECIALISTS FOR 80 YEARS WE OFFER ARCHITECTS A COMPLETE SERVICE FROM DESIGN TO COMPLETION

*** Our Associated Company will also be pleased to quote for both design and manufacture of Mimic Diagrams, Control Panels and Consoles, Industrial Control Systems, Wall Charts, etc.

enquiries invited to

Please write, telephone or visit us at the above address-You will be welcome

WM. PARNALL & CO. LTD . UPPER KIRBY STREET OFF OLD MILL STREET MANCHESTER 4 telephone : Collyhurst 2728 (3 lines)

48


A. EGERTON (Manchester) LIMITED

Specialist Joiners & Contractors

Banks

Boardrooms Bars

Hotels

MERSEYSIDE'S LARGEST STOCKISTS OF TILES, MARBLES & MOSAICS

Restaurants

Shopfronts and Interiors Offices

Clubs

WALL & FLOOR TILING MARBLE & MOSAIC SPECIALISTS

High Quality Craftmanship Estimates & Designs Prepared

AGENTS FOR REFORMITE STONE

124 LADYBARN ROAD F ALLOWFIELD, MANCHESTER, 14 Tel: RUS 4289/8657

R. A. DAVISON & CO. LTD. GREAT NEWTON ST • LIVERPOOL 3 • TEL: 709 9463

EMPIRE STONE

fitting furniture in modern spaces 7

PRECAST

STONE FACINGS, EXPOSED AGGREGATE & MOSAIC PANELS, I

STAIRCASE UNITS & PAVINGS

EMPIRE STONE CO. LTD. 231 STRAND, LONDON W .C.2. BERKELEY HOUSE, HAGLEY RD., BIRMINGHAM 16.

th ingummys 3 bold place liverpool 1 051 •709•6529

26 GREEK STREET, STOCKPORT

49


FALKS EX-TEND THEIR HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MANCHESTER SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR CENTENARY

Falks. too. have contributed to the progress made over the years- by designing and manufacturing an extens ive range of lighting fittings to meet the requ irements of architects everywhere. The elegant "Copenhagen· range illustrated is just one example from their current contemporary production.

Barbour Index Number 288

[I]- FALKS .

LIMITED

4 Rochdale Road. Manchester 4. Tel: Deansgate 3351 (4 lines) Head office: 91 Farringdon Rd. London. ECT. Tel: HOLborn 7654

AP385

OUR SERVICES ARE AT YOUR DISPOSAL for the design and installation of. . .

Sfb 56

HEATING - AIR CONDITIONING VENTILATING - BOILER PLANTS for all types of Buildings » ith proper consideration to all factors and costs

DAVIDIPETERS (HEATING ENGINEERS)

58 RODNEY STREET, LIVERPOOL 1 ROYal 9311/2/3 50


SALAMA NDER

CLAYFORM

DESCRIPTION CLAYFORM floors are factory made composite units using specially designed SALAMANDER Clay Blocks and reinforced concrete ribs to form lightweight pre-cast units needing no propping or shuttering. Clayform units are made in depths of 6 in. 7 in. and 8 in. and widths of 12 in., 24 in., and 36 in. ADVANTAGES 1. Low Cost. 2. Lightweight. 3. No Propping . 4. No Shuttering. 5. Surfaces keyed to accept finishes. 6. Flat Soffit. 7. The clay units, having a lower co-efficient of expansion than concrete, tend to restrain movement. APPLICATION CLAYFORM has been specially designed to provide strong yet light ready made units for short and medium span floors and roofs in all types of modern construction. They cut down site labour and are easy to fix.

WM. HIGGINS &

SONS!MANCHEST ER)

Office: Broughton Street, Cheetham, MANCHESTER, 8 Telephone: BLAckfriars 46"17/8

LTD.

Works:

Silver Lane, Risley, Nr. WARRINGTON, Lanes. Telephone: Culcheth 4241

NORTHER N MODEL STUDIOS

•

ARCHITECTURAL MODELMAKERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Imperial Buildings, 68 Victoria Street, Liverpool 1. Telephone: CENtral 3246 (STD 051)

51


For almost 30 years

CO MP O FLE X CO MP ANY LIM ITE D has specialised in the developme nt and manufacture of flexible tubes and hoses for industry In the minds of Architects Planners Engineers Draughtsmen in Heating and Ventilating General Engineering Civil Engineering Building Chemicals Oils and Petroleum

•

COMPOFLEX AND FLEXIBLES ARE SYNONYMOUS Should they require a hose in Meta/lies Plastics or Composite materials they think

DISPLAY SYSTEMS

COMPO FLEX

(Manchester) LTD.

Backing the technical knowledg e and experience is the

SPECIALISTS IN

DESIG N

COMPOFLEX DELIVERY SERVICE

CONS TRUC TION

second to none

FITTIN G

IF YOU NEED A HOSE YOU NEED COMPOFLEX COMPANY LIMITED DELPH near OLDHAM LANCS

EQUIP MENT of shops offices and showroo ms Approved stockists and installers of the 'Spur' shelving system.

264 Corn Exchange Manchester 4. Tel.

Telephone : Oldham MAIN 9394

52

DEA 3179


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

m ~ ~

building programme in Manchester and offer our

m •

We are of glad of our continuing association with the

CONGRATULATIONS

~

~

~

~

to the Manchester Society of Architects on their

CENTENARY

PO CHIN

~ ~

(CONTRACTORS LTD) KING STREET

MIDDLEWICH

CHESHIRE

MIDDLEWICH 3221-7

~

~

~

~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Denham Heating Ltd. 34 PRINCESS STREET, MANCHESTER 1 NORm WALES OFFICE: Penrhyn Road, Colwyn Bay. Tel: 30973

SHELL MEX: BP: NATIONAL COAL BOARD NORTH WESTERN GAS BOARD Appointed Engineers Industrial and Domestic Installations carried out with maximum efficiency All installations are individually designed and tailored to customers' requirements Quotations without obligation Financial terms from 1 to 10 years Telephone: CEN 6549/6144

53


flex ible

doo rs

sfB(32)

I

'

~ ~ SJ

.. .• r

6

...... /

I

mc{ J /IItf'rllf.«P

IU/Ha.-~~

I I

I '

~

I

\

i

tt"IA~A.A.W

t:UIC&~16t:.D'

1.1 WHI6l.(,ftWLJ-

~

&(-b!SC'IIP

(i.~tt'

!MM~

./0/trr

$CCTION

'8 -lf·

IJ'r~ This is the 'Manby' Designed principally for use where attractive appearance is of prime importance . A unique variation on the conventional industrial flexible crash door, having flexible panels clamped in attractive polished timber frames. The full range of Mander flexible doors covers all industrial, commercial and technical applications.

Mt\A~CUN A

Write for ill ustrated l1teroture to

-----~--

man~or

FLEXIBLE 000 RS

MANDOR ENGINEERING

LTD.Turner Turner Street Works, Street, Ashton-U-Lyne. Tel : ASH ~555 . Scottish Agent : I. D. MacDonatd, :~~~: Mlrren Street, Paisley. Tel .: Southern Agent: N . S. Stedman Tel. : Wa lton -on-Thames 21652. Eastern Agent: G. R. Lindley, 99 Hang: in&water Road, Sheffield, I I. Tel. : 352lq.

54


Advertisers Index

4

,

Airviews Ltd ...

43

Bailey & Whites (Southern) Ltd. Baxendale & Co. Ltd. Bentley Interior Contracts Ltd. Blakey Ranges Ltd ... Blundeii-Permoglaze Ltd ... John Booth & Sons (Bolton) Ltd. British Gypsum Ltd. Browns of Chester .. The Butterley Brick Co. Ltd.

37 35 44 36 5 18 27 54 56

Candair Eng. Co. Ltd. Cape Insulation Ltd. The Cementation Co. Ltd ... Compoflex Co. Ltd ... Cordar Ltd. Costain Concrete Co. Ltd ...

z>

..~0

'..

39 24 31 52 34 12 & 13

I.C.I. Plastics Division Industrial Models Ltd. !sora Illuminating Ceilings Ltd.

..

20 48 14

William Kenyon & Sons Ltd.

37

..

22 10 40 38

Laidlaw & Thomson Ltd. Lenscrete Ltd. C. Lightfoot Ltd. London Seventy Ltd.

Manchester Neon Contractors Ltd. Manchester University Press Mander Engineering Ltd. A. Monk & Co. Ltd.

47 41 54 21

Neodox Contractors Ltd. Northern Model Studios

45 51 17 42 48 47 50 53 2

R. A. Davison & Co. Ltd. Denham Heating Ltd. Design Services Display Systems (Manchester) Ltd. Dovedale Brick Co. Ltd.

49 53 52 52 45

Palmers Travelling Cradle & Scaffold Co. Ltd ... Paragon Builders' Supplies (Leigh) Ltd. Wm. Parnall & Co. Ltd. J. Patteson Ltd. David Peters (Heating Engs.) Ltd. Pechin Contractors Ltd. Powell Duffryn Timber Industries Ltd.

Edenhall Concrete Products Ltd ••• A. Egerton (Manchester) Ltd. Empire Stone Co. Ltd.

46 49 49

Redfern Polymers Ltd. Roughdales Brickworks Ltd.

43 19

Shepherd Air Conditioning Ltd. Shepherd Building Group D. A. Slade (Manchester) Ltd. Bernard Sunley & Sons Ltd. Stilsound Ltd.

41 32 6 8 28

Tarmac Building Ltd. Taylor Woodrow Services Thermovitrine Ltd. .. Thingummys Till & Kennedy Ltd ... Townson Asphalts .. Turner & Newall Ltd. Turners Asbestos Cement Co. Ltd.

46 15 30 49 41 36 9 16

Unit Construction Co. Ltd ...

11

Val de Travers Asphalte Ltd.

44

Arthur Wardle Group

39

Falks Ltd. John Faulkner & Sons Ltd. Fisher-Bendix Ltd. .. Fisher Raworths & Co. Ltd. The Fram Group Ltd. W. J. Furse & Co. (Manchester) Ltd.

50 48 4 7 29 40

J. Gerrard & Sons Ltd. Glanwin Furnishing Co. (Contracts Division) Gliksten Doors Ltd ...

1 48 25

Matthew Hall Mechanical Services Ltd. Hall & Hague Ltd. .. Hall & Rogers Ltd. T. J. Harris & Co. (Liverpool) Ltd. Wm. Higgins & Sons Ltd ... Hill Gordon Furnishing Hille of London

33 3 38 40 51 23 26

Published by Corinthian Press Ltd .• 258 Gray's Inn Road, London, W.C.1 .. for the Liverpool Architectural Society, the Manchester and the North Lancashire Societies of Architects, and printed by Chandlers (Printers) Ltd., 88 Reginald Road. Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex.


-•

Butterley through-colour bricks bring colour throughout the North west Butterley through-colour bricks keep their colour t~uough the years, brightening an industrial environment in the developing North West. We c;>.n offer prompt delivery of any bricks from the extensive Butterley range. Our prices are attrac.t1ve, too. Building in the North West? Build in Butterley through-colour bricks, specified by architects who know that colour emphasises inherent qualitt of design 0 Write for a full catalogue.

The Butterley Brick Company ltd RIPLEY

56

DERBYSHIRE

•






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