Manchester Baths and Wash Houses, New Islington, (Architectural Competition) 1

• 1st Premium      £200       “Economy Well Considered”   John Johnson, Queen Victoria St, London
• 2nd Premium     £100       “Experience”   Mangnall & Littlewoods Brown Street Manchester
• 3rd Premium     £50         “Concilio et Labore”  John Lowe 22 Mansfield Chambers St Ann’s Square

MANCHESTER BATHS COMPETITION - Mr, J. G. Lynde, the Manchester city surveyor, is good enough to inform us that the following is the result of the competition designs for baths and washhouses for this city. Thirty-one sets of plans were sent in, out of which three bearing the following mottoes have been selected for premiums by the committee, and approved this day by the council. For the first premium of £200, the design bearing the motto “Economy well considered,” by Mr. J. Johnson, of Queen Victoria-street, London; for the second premium of £100, the design bearing the motto “Experience,” by Messrs. Mangnall & Littlewood, of Brown-street, Manchester; for the third premium, of £50, the design bearing the motto “Conoilio et Lahore,” by Mr. J. Lowe, of Mansfield-chambers, St. Ann’s-square, Man. Chester. The designs have been open for exhibition to the public at the Town-hall during the whole of the week. [Builder 17 November 1877 page 1159]

MANCHESTER NEW BATHS AND WASHHOUSES - The competitive designs for new baths, washhouses, and public room, in New Islington, Manchester, were exhibited on Monday, at the new Town Hall., Thirty designs were sent in, the first prize of £200 being awarded to o sue bearing the motto, "Economy well considered," shown by Mr. J. Johnson, 12, Queen Victoria-street,  London; the second of £100, to Messrs Mangnall and Littlewood, Brown-street, Manchester, and which bore  the motto of " Perseverance ;" and the third of £50, to "Concilio et Labore," shown by Mr. J. Lowe, 12, Mansfield Chambers, St. Ann's Square, Manchester. The cost of the first design was estimated at £15,300 for the building and £4,300 for engineering works, a total of £19,600; of the second, £20,000 for the building and £2,800 for engineering works, making a total of £22,800; and the third, £20,887 for the building and £4,100 for the engineering works, or a total of £24,987. Each of these designs appeared to be admirably adapted for its purpose, and in the case of the first the architect stated in his description that he was unaware of the extent of the district or the class of the inhabitants, and therefore he was rather at a loss as to the extent of the accommodation necessary for the several departments, especially in the laundry department. This design showed an absence of all ornamentation, but gave the largest accommodation for bathing. The second design was more elaborate in appearance than the first, and the third was the most ornamental of all, and therefore the most costly. The other competitors, who were 27 in number, came from London, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Hanley, Dundee, Huddersfield, and York. [Manchester Times 17 November 1877 page 6]

THE CORPORATION BATHS AND WASHHOUSES. ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION. In the upper storey of the new Town Hall the thirty-one sets of drawings and specifications for the proposed baths and wash-houses at New Islington may examined by those taking an interest in the subject during the present week, A visit will be well repaid the information obtained by a comparison the various plans, recommendations, and estimates. In the latter, there is a considerable range, the highest amount being £29,000 and the lowest £11,000, for buildings, with the boilers, engine, machinery, and fittings. The extent plan the new buildings will in round numbers 230 feet by 86 feet, and the boundaries are Baker-street, along one side, the other side being closed in narrow passages and a short street coming about the centre; one end faces into New Islington, the widest thoroughfare, and the other end front is in Horne-street. The situation is admirably suited for an establishment this character, being the midst of densely populated dwellings of the working classes. The first steps of the corporation in this important movement seem to promise to be auspicious in result. Mr. John Johnson, of No. 12, Queen Victoria Street, London, has gained the first prize of by drawings distinguished oy the motto, “Economy well considered." The architects estimate for the entire building is given £15,300, and of the engineering and fitting work as making total of £19,600. The following are some of the particulars of this design -Situated at the corner of the plot formed by New Islington and Baker Street, is the public hall of two storeys, each room being feet by feet, the upper floor being supported by wrought iron beams. The approaches are by means stone stairs and ample passages, and the requisite rooms and conveniences, with a gallery one end and the two sides, are shown upon the plans. The two large swimming baths are approached by means of double entrance hall in Baker-street, the first-class bath being 80 feet, provided with 00 dressing compartments; and the second-class bath being 100 feet in length and feet wide, with dressing compartments. Thirty-two first class private baths are arranged in galleries extending above the swimming bath, and these are reached means of stairs from the entrance hall. Eighteen ladies' private baths are arranged on the second floor, above the laundries. The swimming baths are placed longitudinally parallel with what we call the back wall, the wash-houses and laundries are at the corner of Baker Street and Horne Street, and the two-storied public hall is at the corner of New Islington and Baker Street. The general design of the exterior and interior is in plain simple Italian style, with little in the way of ornament, and the drawings are well executed.

The design of Mr. E. W. Godwin, of London, will repay examination, and two perspective views pen and ink line drawing are artistically effective. Cost, £14,000.

Mr. H. J. Paull, Manchester, has nine drawings, showing care in design, and he estimates the cost at £25,000.

The same amount of estimate is given by Messrs. Bell and Roper, of this city, who furnish three drawings of a sketchy character, which are suggestive of important useful features oil design. The use made of the short street at the back of the plot for bringing in coal for the boilers has been overlooked by most of the competitors.

Mr. Alfred Darbyshire, of this city, one the few who avail themselves of this mode back entrance to wash-house and laundries. The designs are good, the elevations effective, and great attention has been paid engineering details. Mr. Darbyshire, states the cost at £17,000.

Mr. William Dawes, 100 King-street, Manchester, exhibits an apparently well-considered set of six drawings, including and artistic perspective illustrations, with pen and sepia,of the exterior and interior ; cost. £16,000 £20,000.

The designs of Mr H M. Ordish, London, signed " Engineer," show a structure fireproof materials, wrought and cast iron, and floors of concrete tlie principle of Dennett. The estimate amounts to £25,000.

Mr. James Stevens, of Manchester, contributes nine careful drawings, suid states that his estimate, £24,570, is arrived at obtaining tenders from responsible firms named by him.

The baths committee of the corporation, with commendable judgment, called in the aid of Mr. Thomas Worthington, architect, to report and advise upon the designs, and assist in the adjudication of the premiums, and believe that the general public are satisfied with the award, so far as the designs are concerned. In their further proceedings the council will have to carefully test the accuracy of the estimates of cost, and to have such modifications of details as may be advisable in any particular plan they may resolve to carry out. [Manchester Courier 15 November 1877 page 6]

Reference    British Architect 5 October 1877 Page 168 (Competitions)
Reference    Manchester Guardian Thursday 4 October 1877 Page 5
Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday 10 November 1877 Page 7 Column 6 - results
Reference    Manchester Guardian Monday 12 November 1877 Page 8 - descriptions 1-3rd
Reference    British Architect 16 November 1877 Page
Reference    Builder 17 November 1877 Page 1159
Reference    Building News 16 November 1877 page 496

See also separate entries for the three winning designs