Old News

June 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Welcome to my new website! Regular Dog and Deco visitors will notice I’m going through a bit of a makeover. Exciting changes are afoot…

This is my new News section. In due course I’ll be bringing you the latest on what’s hot and what’s not in the world of Art Deco factories, including info and updates on other architectural, conserservation and design related stuff, and maybe even a bit about what I’m up to when not scouting around for more buildings to pose in front of. In the meantime, here’s a mini-archive of some old news for my new News section…

May 7th 2009

Mid Century Show and Cooden Beach House Open Day

south-cliffThis Sunday (May 10th) sees the Midcentury Show at the De La Warr Pavillion, Bexhill on Sea – www.dlwp.com/WhatsOn . And rather excitingly, for those of you looking to buy a really super example of a Deco/Modern house buy the sea, The Modern House estate agents have an viewing day for their Maynard designed South Cliff property, which they are selling near Cooden Beach. For more details and to book a slot see their website: www.themodernhouse.net.

Le Corbusier exhibition at the Barbican, finishes 24th May

I haven’t seen it because they don’t let in dogs, but my manager assures me that this exhibition is well worth the trip to the Barbican. Only three more weekends to catch it! www.barbican.org.uk/lecorbusier

July 10th 2008

Battersea Power Station open day

I’ve just found out that Battersea Power Station is going to be open to the public this Saturday (12th July) and next (19th July). I’m gutted I’m going to miss it, but it sounds like a bit of a unique opportunity – you get to go into the turbine hall and everything, as well as view the planned development for the site.

For more info see the Battersea Power Station site and click on the “Consultation” page.

Filed Under: News

Carlisle factories & mills

May 12, 2010 By 3 Comments

Miscellaneous factories and mills, Carlisle, Cumbria – architects tbc – dates tbc

Carlisle Enterprise Centre
Carlisle Enterprise Centre

I had an extended impromptu visit to Carlisle recently so I spent my time checking out the local sites. Any info on any of the following will be greatly appreciated!

Carlisle mill and chimney

Carlisle factory


Filed Under: architect unknown, Carlisle Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Control Tower, Dumfries Airfield

March 17, 2010 By 1 Comment

Control Tower, Dumfries Airfield, Heathall, Dumfries & Galloway – 1940

Control Tower, RAF Dumfries

Pickles at dumfries airfield

This is the restored Control Tower of the former WWII airfield at Dumfries, and the centrepiece of the Dumfries & Galloway Aviation Museum. I had wanted to include a photo of me beside a Spitfire – the perfect example of the development of Art Deco streamlined design, of course – but we were here at the end of October and my god it was cold and wet, so I began to lose my patience (there were also a few rabbits kicking around which rather distracted me!).

Tell you what though, this museum is a great place, if you’re into planes that is. Don’t expect the curatorial standards of the Metropolitan Museum, it is evidently run by enthusiastic volunteers, but the Dumfries & Galloway Aviation Museum makes a really fun and informative visit – and they let dogs in!

http://www.dumfriesaviationmuseum.com/

Filed Under: architect unknown, Dumfries & Galloway Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

St.Peter’s Seminary, Cardross

March 17, 2010 By 4 Comments

St Peter’s Seminary - Cardross, Dumbartonshire - Gillespie Kidd & Coia, 1962-68

St.Peters Seminary

St.Peters Seminary

St.Peters Seminary inside

St.Peters Seminary central staircase

I know, I know, I can hear you all crying I should be wearing my high-viz vest in such a dangerous building… Lots has been written about this amazing but depressingly derelict building. For starters you can read lots more, see photos, find maps and hear people’s memories of this seminary at these sites:

http://riskybuildings.c20society.org.uk/docs/26stpeters/index.html

http://www.glasgowarchitecture.co.uk/cardross_seminary.htm

http://www.hiddenglasgow.com/StPeters/index.htm

http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/StPetersSeminary

Filed Under: Dumbartonshire, Gillespie Kidd & Coia Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

K8 telephone kiosks, Erskine Bridge, Renfrewshire

October 15, 2009 By 3 Comments

K8 telephone kiosks, nr Kilmartin Village – Bruce Martin, 1968

Pickles the dog at rare K8 kiosk

north side, traffic heading North

Pickles at rare K8

north side, traffic heading South

As promised a few months ago, I have found these wonderful examples of the very rare K8 telephone kiosk on the north side of the approach road to the Erskine Bridge in Renfrewshire; I’m fairly sure there are another two on the south side of the bridge as well. Designed by Bruce Martin in 1968, they were a rationalisation of the earlier K6 kiosk designed by Dog and Deco fave, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott.

Martin’s K8 was the last red cast iron telephone box ever to be constructed in the UK, and represents the final stage in the lineage of a design that has become a global icon and symbol of Britain. Pitifully few of the 11,000 boxes manufactured remain and it is an incredibly rare feature in the British landscape – the boxes were too young to be protected by English Heritage when BT began decommissioning boxes in 1984.

However, twelve known survivors have been submitted to English Heritage by the Twentieth Century Society, who are also running a campaign to find out about any other boxes they may not be aware of yet. You could also tell us here if you know of any other K8 kiosks.

People Will Always Need Plates K8 tea towels

Why not buy a pack splendidly good K8 tea towels like these ones, designed by the fabulous People Will Always Need Plates. All money goes to the Twentieth Century Society campaign to protect the phone boxes.

Filed Under: Bruce Martin, Glasgow & environs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
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