In 1996, Manchester-based architects MBLA transformed the ‘Poached Egg’ from assembly hall to library. This is how it happened… Further reading: Down The Aisles, Along The Titles Continue reading
Tag Archives: LC Howitt
Mind How You Go
The Process Revealed #2
To accompany The Process Revealed, a series of exceptional photographs documenting the Toastrack’s construction from its very beginning to near-completion. All images courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives, Manchester City Council. Site clearance in preparation for the Toastrack – Birchfields, previously featured in Look Outside, can be seen in the background. Note Leonard C. Howitt, City Architect, featured on … Continue reading
Hither and Yon
Commercial postcards produced of the Toastrack throughout its history, and (below) the front and reverse of a Domestic and Trades College promotional photograph, issued to the press by the British Information Services. If readers have received any other postcards featuring the Toastrack, we’d be very pleased to include them here. You can get in touch … Continue reading
Who designed the Toastrack? An Unofficial History
Throughout the Modernists’ residency at Hollings, our sedulous architectural researcher Matthew Steele has been trying to get a fuller and much rounder picture of our favourite paraboloid, the Toastrack. He’s been delving into the archives, and drinking with the architect – yes, you heard us right. Matthew and Angela Connelly will be presenting their findings … Continue reading
The Process Revealed
The Toastrack’s development from inception to completion, documented by press cuttings discovered by Manchester Modernist Society from deep within the Hollings Faculty archive. Evening Chronicle, 07/04/59: Manchester Evening News, 01/05/59: Manchester Evening News, 11/08/59: The Guardian, 01/10/59: Daily Mail, 24/10/59: Manchester Evening News, 27/04/60: The Guardian, 15/06/60: Evening Chronicle, 14/09/60: Daily Telegraph, 19/01/61: Further reading: … Continue reading
The Pluterperfect Refreshment
Responding to the afflatus sublime (and a brief set by Manchester Modernist Society), design students Dan James and Jack Sanders from Manchester School of Art recently collaborated with MMS on the creation of an exclusive Toastrack Ale. The designers referred to archival material discovered throughout the Modernist Society’s creative residency at the Hollings Faculty, as … Continue reading
A Beginning Word
Toastrack architect L.C. Howitt shares his thoughts on the countryside, wartime romance, and piano practice. From the Evening Chronicle, 11/01/60: Continue reading
Always A Welcome
As previously featured on the Toastrack blog in We Have Visitors and Unforgotten Path, on March 8th 1962 Her Royal Highness the Princess Margaret visited the Toastrack to perform the official opening ceremony for the Domestic and Trades College, later to become the Hollings Faculty. To commemorate this visit a brochure was produced, outlining the … Continue reading
Derek Hill’s Hollings
First glimpse of some lovely plans kindly loaned by Derek and Steph Hill. Derek worked in the Manchester City Architect’s Department in the 1950s, and during his appointment there was engaged in producing designs for the Toastrack. Manchester Modernist Society will be following this up in the New Year as we continue our research into the … Continue reading
Toastrack 