Building Name

Plymouth Mutual Co‑operative and Industrial Society Competition

Date
1915
District/Town
Plymouth
County/Country
Devon, England
Client
Plymouth Mutual Co-operative and Industrial Society
Work
Architectural competition
Status
First premium

THE PLYMOUTH MUTUAL CO‑OPERATIVE AND INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY COMPETITION - Although doubtless the designing of a large block of buildings for commercial purposes has not the same fascination for the architect as public undertakings which call for a more monumental treatment, such as municipal buildings or museums and art galleries, yet there are nevertheless many interesting problems to be encountered, some of them still awaiting a thoroughly satisfactory solution, in grappling with the design of commercial premises such as the Plymouth Mutual Co‑operative and Industrial Society are now proposing to erect. It is interesting to note, by the bye, that the committee of the society, whilst committed to the principles of co‑operation as regards their own trading, did not scruple to adopt those of competition for the design of their new buildings, and it may be admitted at once, as some at least of the drawings show, that this departure was fully justified. Possibly the modest deposit of five shillings required for the conditions was responsible for the fact that many able architects, who would otherwise certainly have sent in designs, refrained from doing so, under the erroneous impression that the magnitude of the work was on a level with the amount of this deposit. The necessity for the maximum of show or window space for the display of goods, and the minimum of ground‑floor piers in order to give little more than a bare pretence of support, dictated a treatment on the upper floors which should not appear unduly solid and over-weighty. As a consequence it was a foregone conclusion that competitors would develop in many cases a columnar treatment, now so much in vogue for big emporiums. The present competition has, however, brought forth a great variety of styles, varying from Early Georgian down to the most advanced forms of Neo‑Grec, whilst there are also examples of the visual nondescript Picture Palace or Twelfth Cake styles, which every competition brings forth, quite irrespective of the character of the building required. With regard to the planning involved, a reference to the block plan will show that the competitors were faced by unusual difficulties in the shape of a right of way, and two properties at the comer cutting into the island, or rather peninsula, owned by the Society, which portion of the land they are unable to purchase at present. This necessarily made a connection between the north and south blocks very difficult. Competitors, however, had to bear in mind in their planning the possibility of these properties being included at a later date, and to allow provision for such a contingency.

The assessor, Mr. Paul Waterhouse, M.A, F.R.I.B.A., in the conditions suggested a sloping cartway of 1 in 12 from Raleigh Street West over the right of way into the basement of the building, to enable motors and vans to descend and circulate, thus providing a rendezvous for picking up directly from the stores of each department the goods for delivery. This proved a stumbling block to the competitors, many of whom apparently were unable to find a mean course between a cartway literally ranging all over the basement from Dan to Beersheba, or one so cramped that turns and re-passings would be all but impossible, although in some cases the difficulty was well met. Another great stumbling block was the provision of a good area for adequate lighting and ventilation. This was clearly stipulated in the conditions, yet very few realised it. properly in their prospective plans! It is also rather difficult to understand why the restaurant floor should apparently have given such trouble in planning; but the fact remains that not many of the designs provided a good clear floor space, without angles or odd shapes, possibly totalling the necessary area in the aggregate, but far less direct and simple for working than a plain refectory of the required size. The reports and estimates of the winning design and the three premiated schemes were not available but in the majority of cases the latter varied between £80,000 and £90.000, being based on the stipulated figure of Is. Id. per cubic foot.

THE SELECTED DESIGN - Coming to the actual designs, the assessor has placed No 54, by Messrs. Halliday and Paterson, and C. Gustave Agate. A/A.R.I.B.A.. of 14, John Dalton Street, Manchester, first, and few will be found to question the award. Taken all round, this design appears to provide the most satisfactory solution of all the difficulties. The planning of the basement, with its cartway admirably placed for circulation and loading, is both compact and practical, whilst the connection between the north and south blocks is made as much of as possible. The proximity of the cartway to the Courtenay Street pavement lights ensures proper lighting on that side, and whilst it is not clear from the plans as to how the extra‑wide portion is intended to be lit, no doubt it could be arranged from the floor over. The stairs and lifts are all well placed, and the right of light of the Star Hall has been fully considered. The width of 35 ft. adopted for the open area is adequate, and will admit full and ample light to all departments. Again, the restaurant floor is given a fine clear space, admirably lighted and ventilated, with kitchens, etc., all planned most conveniently close by, on the third floor. It should be remarked that the position was left to the option of competitors, who were at liberty to use the second floor if they wished, but in the event of the third floor being adopted, the space thus left on the second floor was to be frankly given over as unallotted. The treatment of the elevations, although simple and unpretentious, is thoroughly dignified and very satisfying. The great lines of the mansard roof, unbroken by dormers, all of which face on to the area, give a business‑like and broad effect to the building, whilst the general distribution of the piers and columns is stately and well‑considered. The advancing of the ground‑floor glass fronts 9 in. in front of the superincumbent masonry is claimed by the authors to provide a counterfoil to the appearance the buildings would otherwise present of being inadequately supported, so that the effect is that of a screen in front of the real supports. Altogether this design is most suitable, and ought to work out in a very pleasing and appropriate manner. [Building News 6 October 1915 p373]

THE PLYMOUTH CO‑OPERATIVE AND INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY'S NEW PREMISES - COMPETITION. SELECTED DESIGN. - To‑day we publish the two main elevations of the chosen design. The upper one shows the chief front to Courtenay Street, and the lower one faces Raleigh Street West. The ground and first floor plans now given clearly show the difficulty with which the competitors had to contend in dealing with the right-of‑way into the basement of the building to enable vans and motors to descend and circulate, besides providing a rendezvous for the reception and delivery of goods. The other difficulty to be remembered in discussing the elevational treatment of the premises architecturally was, of course, the requirements of the Co‑operative Society, above all other considerations, to allow ample uninterrupted window space for display of goods on the street level. The architects of the chosen design, with this idea, advanced the ground floor glass fronts by nine inches in projection of the superincumbent masonry, as a counterfoil to the apparent inadequate support to the superstructure ; this glazed screen was introduced standing out in advance of the stanchions carrying the upper floors. In the elevations this difference of face, of course, does not show, but actually in execution the authors think it will well realise their intention. Taking the .elected plans as a whole, .Messrs James T. Halliday and Claude Paterson, A/ARIBA conjointly with Mr C. Gustave Agate, LRIBA, of 14, John Dalton Street, Manchester, as the joint architects chosen have certainly most satisfactorily solved all the difficulties presented. [Building News 13 October 1915 Page 410]

Reference    British Architect 8 October 1915
Reference    Building News 6 October 1915 Page 373
Reference    Building News 13 October 1915 Page 410 and illustration
Reference    Builder 17 December 1915 page