Modernist Delights

Staircase in Stourbridge, 2024

A concrete staircase with metal railings is attached to the side of a brick building. The staircase leads to the upper floor. A metal fence with pointed tops is in the foreground. The sky is clear and blue with a few clouds. Cars are parked to the left.

A tasty staircase beside the telephone exchange in Stourbridge, which we were cruelly stopped from enjoying fully by BT’s big sharp metal fence 😔

Posted on November 29, 2024.

Wetherspoon’s, Oswestry, 2024

A three-story, grey modernist building with large windows houses “The Wilfred Owen,” a Wetherspoon Free House pub. Flower baskets hang by the entrance, bikes are parked outside, and stairs lead to glass doors. The sky is overcast.

There’s something very funny about Wetherspoons having an article on their website about the pub and Oswestry at large, in quite a lot of detail, full of photographs of photos seemingly taken at what must be the local museum? Sure, why not! It also includes a picture of this pub which manages to make it look even more bleak, against all odds.

Posted on November 28, 2024.

Caged staircase at the back of the Manchester Academy, 2024

A modern metal staircase with mesh panels forms an external fire escape attached to a brick and yellow building. The structure has three levels and is enclosed by a metal frame. A metal fence runs along the pavement in front. The sky is overcast.

Posted on November 27, 2024.

Ellen Wilkinson Building, Manchester, 2024

A modern, brown concrete building with geometric patterns on its facade stands on a cloudy day. Several cars, including a red, blue, and silver one, are parked in front. Small windows line the building, and some trees with autumn leaves are visible on the right.

A four-story concrete and brick building with large windows, some lit from inside. The building forms an L-shape around a neatly trimmed green lawn. Leafless trees and a few small trees with yellow leaves are in the courtyard. The sky is overcast.

A narrow outdoor spiral staircase ascends alongside a tall, concrete building with textured, vertical patterns. The staircase has black railings and white steps, winding up multiple floors between two closely placed structures. The sky is overcast.

Posted on November 26, 2024.

Post Office, Windsor, 2024

A three-story building with a Post Office on the ground floor and many windows above. In front, a wooden market stall with a yellow sign sells German sausages. Several people walk along the street in winter clothing under a cloudy sky.

So distracted by the mesmerising repeating aluminium windows of the Windsor Post Office that I completely missed whatever was going on with The Works 💔

Street View to the rescue:

A shopfront with a blue and yellow sign reading TheWorks.co.uk. Sale banners with Union Jack flags fill the wide front windows. Above are rectangular concrete panels and circular openings at the roof. Neighboring shops and a red Post Office sign are visible.

Posted on November 25, 2024.

Mixed use building, Windsor, 2024

A street corner with a Londis store on the ground floor of a brick building. The shopfront displays colorful ads for drinks and snacks. A large tree stands nearby. People walk past, and an ATM is visible to the left. Autumn leaves are scattered on the ground.

Unremarkable but pleasant mixed use building in Windsor. Can you imagine how much an otherwise normal flat with a view of Windsor Castle must cost?

Posted on November 23, 2024.

On the Airport typeface

I’m not enough of a typography nerd to care about the writing too much, but the illustrations in this article for the refreshed Airport typeface are gorgeous.

Airport Typeface

Posted on November 23, 2024.