Carlisle factories & mills

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

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!

K8 telephone kiosks, Erskine Bridge, Renfrewshire

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

north side, traffic heading North

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.

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.

The Hoover Building

Hoover factory, Western Ave, Perivale – Wallis, Gilbert & Partners – 1931-38

The best building in world ever – the Art Deco factory fan’s Mecca – no more words necessary. Enjoy…

The Hoover Building

Hoover / Tesco car park

rear entrance

Hoover factory canteen rear

Hoover factory canteen front

main gates

front entrance

dog and deco porn

More Botanic Gardens Garage photos

Just a few more piccies for you whilst I decide what I really think about the plans for the redevelopment of the garage into flats… (see my last post for more info)

  

Am I howling in despair or pensive contemplation of the plans?

 

 

This one is my favourite.  I think this should qualify my membership of the Handlebar Club.

Honeywell building, Motherwell

(Yes, I have to admit it, uncool as it is sometimes I do have to be chained to my bitch for “safety” reasons – this time the motorway.)

Motherwell – M8 – architect and date tbc…

Bankside Power Station (Tate Modern)

Bankside – 1947 – Sir Giles Gilbert Scott

This is our first post, but do expect all sorts of delicious doggified twentieth century acrchitectural treats to come!

This photo is of me in 2006 on my first industrial landmark spotting trip to London.