Manchester Baths and Washhouses New Islington (Architectural competition) 2

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 one bearing the motto, "Economy well considered," shown by Mr. J. Johnson, 9, 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. [Manchester Times 17 November 1877 page 6]

The design marked “Experience,” to which has been awarded the second premium of £100; is prepared by Messrs. Mangnall and Littlewood, architects, of Brown-street, Manchester. In the arrangement of this plan the baths, as the most important, are placed to front New Islington; the public room is situated at the corner of Baker-street and Horne-street; and the wash-house and laundry will front Horne-street. The entrance to the baths has three semi-circular arched doorways, one being appropriated to women, and two to men. The men’s first-class swimming bath is approached from the vestibule by a glazed corridor to the left side of the entrance. The net size of the bath is 60ft. by 22ft. 6in., with a depth of Oft. at the deepest, and 3ft. at the shallowest end, the sides to be lined with white glazed bricks, and the bottom formed of polished light-coloured concrete. Forty dressing-closets are provided, each 3ft. 9in. by 3ft. 6in., formed with polished slate slabs secured to cast-iron frames. Shower baths and the necessary offices are placed at each angle of the bath-room. The water will; be warmed by means of a copper steam pipe, brought from the steam boilers under the laundry, communicating at four different positions, into the bottom of the bath, covered with perforated grids. The roof is to be supported by wooden principals secured with wrought iron tie-rods, with ample provision for light and ventilation. The men’s second-class swimming bath is approached from the vestibule by a corridor separate and distinct from the first-class. The net size of the bath is 80ft. in length by 20ft. in width, the depth and finishing being similar to those of the first-class. Ninety dressing-rooms are provided, each 3ft. 6in. by 2ft. 3in. Provision is made in the plans for two public-rooms, for meetings, balls or concerts, and election purposes. Each room is 72ft. in length, by 36ft. in width, well-lighted, warmed, and ventilated, and having commodious ingress and egress. Upon the approximate estimate of one of the principal city builders, the cost of the whole of the buildings; and fittings can be carried out for £20,000, with an additional £2,800 for boilers, engine, washing and wringing machines, troughs, and other fittings, and all other machinery and plant connected with the engineering department. [Building News 16 November 1877 page 496]

Reference : Manchester Times 17 November 1877 page 6