The rise and fall of the cast iron breast panel in Britain (c.190660)
| Author(s): |
Jonathan Clarke
|
|---|---|
| Medium: | conference paper |
| Language(s): | English |
| Conference: | 6th International Congress on Construction History (6ICCH 2018), July 9-13, 2018, Brussels, Belgium |
| Published in: | Building Knowledge, Constructing Histories [2 vols.] |
| Page(s): | 475-483 |
| Year: | 2018 |
| Abstract: | This paper examines an important cladding component of the first half of the twentieth century, one that received only passing mention by contemporaries, and which has only been considered by historians in more wide-ranging discussions of elevational expression. The first part traces the British history of cast iron breast panels (known transatlantically as spandrel panels), which reached a zenith of popularity around 1930 before sliding into decline, rapidly so in the post-war years. This discussion, which advances reasons for this rise and fall in production and usage, is followed by consideration of how the panels were cast, and affixed to buildings, and whether, beyond architectural effect, there were practical and economic advantages that accrued from their use. The paper concludes that there were pragmatic benefits in using breast panels of cast iron compared to other materials, but it was largely for reasons of elevational effect that they proved so popular. |
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10078204 - Published on:
15/09/2018 - Last updated on:
05/03/2019
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