Technical Schools Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness
Acting on the advice of the assessor, Mr. Henry Lord, of Manchester, the committee of the Institute have awarded the first premium of £50 to the design submitted by Messrs Woodhouse and Willoughby, of Manchester, and the second premium of £20 to Messrs Wood and Hutchings, of Tunstall. The estimated cost of the structure is about £9,000. [Building News 18 March 1898 page 377]
At the monthly meeting of the Barrow Town Council on the 5th inst discussion took place with reference to the report of the Technical Instruction Committee regarding the proposal to erect new technical schools at a cost of £10,000. The report stated that the schools of various towns had been visited and they recommended the carrying out of the plans of Messrs Woodhouse & Willoughby, the building to be of Ruabon and Accrington red brick with golden buff terra-cotta dressings. [Builder 17 December 1898 Page 565]
We illustrate in this week's number the ground and first‑floor plans and the perspective view of the first premiated and accepted design for the above, which was obtained in open competition (25 competitors) in March last, under motto "Hematite," by the authors, Messrs. Woodhouse and Willoughby, F/FRIBA, of Manchester. The Corporation engaged Mr. Henry Lord, F.R.I.B.A., architect for the Salford Technical School, to assist them in arriving at a decision, and his selection was confirmed by the Council. The general arrangement of the scheme is based on lines supplied to each competitor by the borough engineer, Mr. W. H. Fox. The plans illustrated clearly explain the accommodation providedCsome portion of which is already erected. It is proposed to face the principal facades with an approved red stock brick, having "Golden Buff " terracotta for all enriched work, dressings, &c. , the roofs to be covered either with a non‑porous brindled tile or Westmoreland slate. The architects have received instructions to proceed with the work. [Building News 11 November 1898 page 679]
Some time ago Barrow Town Council decided to carry out a scheme for a new technical school at a cost of about £15,000 and designs for the building were submitted by Messrs Woodhouse and Willoughby of Manchester. These were, however, objected to as being too costly and for the time-being the scheme hung fire. But now, the designs having meanwhile been modified, the council have decided to proceed with the work. The cost, even as it is, will be some £5,000 more than it was intended to lay out. [British Architect 2 June 1899 Page 381]
TECHNICAL SCHOOLS, BARROW - Mrs Albert Vicars laid the foundation stone of the new Technical Schools in Barrow on the 27th ult. The schools are being built by the Corporation in Abbey Road, Barrow, at a cost of £18,000 to £20,000 from the competition designs of Messrs Woodhouse and Willoughby, architects, of Manchester. [Builder 16 June 1900 Page 594]
Pevsner described it as the typical technical-school building of that date. Red brick and yellow terra-cotta. Asymmetrical with a cupola on a turret. Varied C17 and C18 motifs. [Pevsner. North Lancashire Page 58]
Reference Building News 11 November 1898 page 679 and illustration
Reference Builder 17 December 1898 Page 565
Reference Manchester Guardian Saturday 8 April 1899 Page 4 (Contracts)
Reference British Architect 2 June 1899 Page 381
Reference Builder 15 July 1899, Page 73 (Tenders)
Reference British Architect 28 July 1899 Page ix (Tenders)
Reference Builder 16 June 1900 Page 594 - foundation stone
Reference Pevsner. North Lancashire Page 58