in praise of ordinary things (a thread about streets and buildings)

[dellzeqq]

I love this building in our village. Not sure what it used to be but it has a lovely 50's (?) feel about it.

I think you're probably right about the fifties. It might be that the roof is concrete, and the entire design of the building is dictated by steel rationing. I'd love to know where it is.

The reason I mention steel rationing is that this rather grand building used 50% of the steel that a conventional box would employ, because the roof is 'in compression'. Stockwell Bus Garage (1952), designed by Messrs Adie Button, and engineered by A.E. Beer. About twenty years ago I rang up A. E. Beer and spoke to the partner who, as a young man, had designed the roof. He chatted about it quite unselfconsciously and generously for about half an hour. I'm afraid I was walking around on air for days after....

 

[sdr gb]

This little house is on the main road through Mossley. It was the toll gate keepers cottage from when the road used to be a private turnpike.

 

[ianrauk]

Looking at a more modern building...
I do really like this Manhattan skyscraper (there are so many great skyscrapers in Manhattan) I love the mix of plain lines, the curve, the colour of the glass and the reflections it gives.

 

[YahudaMoon]

Isn't it amazing that a cycling club in Keighley used to be big enough to merit a club house like this!

I clipped the bottom of the picture off because the street level part is all garish shops now.

Wow ! some lovely architectural stuff going on here.

I only noticed this building a few year back on a audax for Mythomroyd I think. Very impressive to look at while having tea n cake opposite at the caf'e control just as a big band went past for the whit walks ?

 

[summerdays]

The reason I mention steel rationing is that this rather grand building used 50% of the steel that a conventional box would employ, because the roof is 'in compression'. Stockwell Bus Garage (1952), designed by Messrs Adie Button, and engineered by A.E. Beer. About twenty years ago I rang up A. E. Beer and spoke to the partner who, as a young man, had designed the roof. He chatted about it quite unselfconsciously and generously for about half an hour. I'm afraid I was walking around on air for days after....

I like that ... simple lines and light used to define them, whilst not actually fully appreciating the technicalities of how to create it.

 

[dellzeqq]

View attachment 5163
This little house is on the main road through Mossley. It was the toll gate keepers cottage from when the road used to be a private turnpike.

fabulous. The December FNRttC passes this

in Rayleigh, Essex. Apparently it's the smallest council house in England.

Unfortunately it's on the steepest hill on the ride, and I'm not sure that anybody would thank me for pointing it out.....

 

[dan_bo]

The Bluebell hotel, Moston, north east manchester. As well as being a magnificent building (as most Holts' houses are), not that long ago you could have a pint on a sunday afternoon with Dennis Law at one end of the bar and Peter Hook at the other end. what a place....

 

[accountantpete]

This was the flicks when I was a lad - we'd come out firing at fuzzy wuzzies (Zulu) or with arms outstretched ( 633 Squadron).

 

[Globalti]

A couple of weeks ago I was killing time in Blackburn when my eyes wandered upwards and came to rest on the most incredible friezes on the art gallery:

Here's a close-up; a marvellous celebration of the dignity of labour:

Another northern English civic building I love, Manchester Town Hall, an ostentatious monument to the massive wealth of Manchester at the height of the industrial revolution, bigger and better than the town halls of Oldham, Bury, Burnley, Rochdale or any of the satellite mill towns:

The interior:

One of the murals by Ford Madox Brown:

Even the late 30s annexe, though monolithic, has a certain pleasing classical symmetry to it:

A pity this thread is for local buildings only; I'd love to show you some from Budapest.

 

[rich p]

This cutesy little one struck my eye in Sarfend

 

[ColinJ]

Wow ! some lovely architectural stuff going on here.

I only noticed this building a few year back on a audax for Mythomroyd I think. Very impressive to look at while having tea n cake opposite at the caf'e control just as a big band went past for the whit walks ?

It was probably Spring Into The Dales which uses Rossi's cafe opposite the building in the photo. The event sometimes takes place on St George's Day, so that was probably what the bands etc. were about.

 

[YahudaMoon]

Manchester Uni Hollings building. Also known as the toast rack

 

[YahudaMoon]

cinema in Stretford

Better days. Can't say I remember

 

[swee'pea99]

The council made him knock it doen 'cos he never got planning permission...

 

[rich p]

That's in Southend? How come nobody has ever pointed it out to me or even mentioned it?

Light under a bushel and all that!