tim strang

Burton stores architecture

tim strang — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 11:56:15 +0000

I have been clambering about on a scaffold which has been erected preparatory to a re-furbishment project on a Burton building nearby. The Burton chain employed a particular architectural style which was a 1920′s and ’30′s example of very distinct ‘ corporate branding.’

The faience brickwork has endured very well, and generally has only failed where there has been structural movement, or corrosion of the reinforcing steel within the structural framing elements of the building.

There are some very graceful details to this building, and it is going to be a wonderful and iconic part of the townscape when its fully restored.

Montague Burton was the founder of the chain; he came to England from Lithuania in 1900, at the age of fifteen. He started the chain in 1903, and by 1929 it consisted of 400 stores, factories and mills.

” The Tailor of Taste”.

Before scaffolding

Burton store; pilaster head detail

Window head view, showing pilaster heads and lintol details.

Window head and lintol detail

Diffusion Festival of Photography: Cardiff International Festival of Photography – May-June 2013

tim strang — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:00:24 +0000

On a very wet day, I visited Penarth and Cardiff to visit some of the exhibitions open as part of the Diffusion Festival. I could have stayed all day at the Turner House Gallery in Penarth! It was pouring with rain outside, but it was mainly because of the work in Edgar Martins wonderful photographic show – ” The Time Machine. ” Not to be missed if you like this sort of thing – which I very definitely do!

The Tramshed, Cardiff: Diffusion Festival – May 2013

Cardiff skyline from Third Floor Gallery: Diffusion Festival. Sebastian Liste’s exhibition.

Photograph of one of Sebastian Liste’s images; Urban Quilombo

Porthcawl, Wales: beach-shelter

tim strang — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:16:45 +0000

Beach shelter, Porthcawl, April 2013

I would love to know who inspired the neo-classical design to this very useful beach shelter in Porthcawl. Such a contrast between the Spanish sun and brightness, and the soft and muted light on a South Wales waterfront.

Malaga: Muelle Uno

tim strang — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:27:49 +0000

Muelle Uno, Malaga, 2012

I have just realised that this time last year I was planning to be on my way to the Gnaoua Festival in Morocco in a couple of months. I stopped in Malaga, Spain for a few days en route, and enjoyed walking around the costly architectural games that had been played down by the old harbour. I wonder how many years it will be before this kind of adventure will be perceived as affordable again. It may be decades, and the experiments like this one, and those in Valencia, for example, will possibly come to feel less ephemeral as they, hopefully, endure, and are not left behind as the next novelty captures the attention.

Malaga, June 2012

Cinema re-use: Port Talbot cf. Northampton

tim strang — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:06:55 +0000

What re-use might Neath Port Talbot consider for Plaza?

Plaza, Port Talbot, March 2013

In Northampton, a self-financed use has been made of this one. Are there sufficient devotees in Port Talbot?

Jesus Centre, Northampton, Dec. 2011

Babcock & Wilcox : 10 Tons

tim strang — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:24:40 +0000

Babcock & Wilcox: 10 tons

This dependable bit of kit now presumably awaits recycling; this crane and gantry is gently rusting over a wharf on a stretch of the canal network near Wolverhampton. Babcock and Wilcox now seem to be making quite different bits of kit; re-inventing the company to fulfil demand for a new product.

155th Royal Photographic Society Print exhibition.

tim strang — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:10:50 +0000

I think this will be worth a visit to Rhyl and the Castle.

More for sale

tim strang — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:43:57 +0000

Going cheap – superhero

Doll – £5 a life

Angry little men!

Cupcake and Barbie

Doll

Bric a brac

tim strang — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:36:43 +0000

Dogs

The dogs too; faithful hounds which have played out their purpose, and are now – thankfully – moving onto a new, appreciative home.

Doll

I found these a little bit spooky; especially the dolls. They are being traded, but they are just a little bit too life-like for me not to find their eyes and their expressions a bit disconcerting.

CEREDIGION ART TRAIL – OPEN STUDIOS – 2013

tim strang — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:10:40 +0000

For the second year, I will be showing some of my photographs as part of the Ceredigion Art Trail, at my studio on the farm.