Jewellery Business Centre Spencer Street - rainwater hoppers

[brianthelion]

Walk past the Jewellery business centre most days on my exercise breakout and still wonder who the faces are on the castings on the top of the rainwater downpipes. Have struggled to find any information on them and was wondering if anyone knew anything on here?
Apologies for quality of pix, just a mobile camera.

 

[brianthelion]

Still no info despite posting far and wide on the internet. The only suggestion so far was a rumour that the faces are those of the building designers/architects but I think there’s more to it than that! Still keep looking.

 

[Astoness]

cant seem to enlarge the photos brian...they look unusual though...are they all different

lyn

 

[brianthelion]

cant seem to enlarge the photos brian...they look unusual though...are they all different

lyn

Yep all different. Will try and reload larger versions.

 

[brianthelion]

View attachment 144490

 

[brianthelion]

Sorry for quality of photos but only a mobile and it was very bright!

 

[brianthelion]

Yep all different. Will try and reload larger versions.

 

[brianthelion]

Some tech issues and really need someone with a decent camera to get some proper shots. Some duplication in mine also but 12 different faces in total.

 

[JudiM]

Still no info despite posting far and wide on the internet. The only suggestion so far was a rumour that the faces are those of the building designers/architects but I think there’s more to it than that! Still keep looking.

Have you tried contacting the building occupants? They are probably closed at the moment, but you could always stick a note through the door?

 

[Radiorails]

The problem is that the building is multi occupancy - offices etc., so finding someone who knows about the place might not be that easy.
However, this is a start. .

Jewellery Business Centre - Lates News

Jewellery Business Centre Latest News and Press Releases.

www.jewellerybusinesscentre.co.uk

I read the Forum Spencer Street but that did not gave any clues

 

[brianthelion]

Have you tried contacting the building occupants? They are probably closed at the moment, but you could always stick a note through the door?

Yep tried that and they didn't know!

 

[mikejee]

Wondered if the Birmingham planning website might have something, but just get long list of units and their car spaces - no information

 

[brianthelion]

Wondered if the Birmingham planning website might have something, but just get long list of units and their car spaces - no information

Wonder if I could track down the architects?

 

[Radiorails]

There is a green plaque (or was) , on one wall which mentioned a Birmingham Design Award - First Prize. I could not quite make out the date.

 

[brianthelion]

There is a green plaque (or was) , on one wall which mentioned a Birmingham Design Award - First Prize. I could not quite make out the date.

I'll have a look. I know there was something by the gates but I think it referred to them.

 

[brianthelion]

There is a green plaque (or was) , on one wall which mentioned a Birmingham Design Award - First Prize. I could not quite make out the date.

 

[Astoness]

looks like 1992 brian

lyn

 

[sospiri]

Brian,

Here's the man you need to contact:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Latham

Maurice

 

[brianthelion]

Brian,

Here's the man you need to contact:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Latham

Maurice

Blimey small world, I know him from my days at Derby City Council! Many thanks.

 

[brianthelion]

We used bricks reclaimed from the site to create the new buildings, which are on four levels around a series of linked landscaped courtyards. These have been designed to perfectly complement the old buildings, blending in but undeniably modern. A light touch
was provided by the rainwater hoppers on the street frontages, each bearing in relief a likeness of a member of the project team.

And the mystery is solved!!! Indeed the faces are those of some of the project team from Lathams.

 

[mikejee]

Rather nice. like in some of the medieval cathedrals. It would be good for other places to do the same, perhaps with the odd gnome or grotesque included

 

[Radiorails]

Pleasing to get a result and in a way most unexpected. BHF at its best.

 

[brianthelion]

Pleasing to get a result and in a way most unexpected. BHF at its best.

Absolutely, a fine resource and many thanks to others for help and support.

 

[brianthelion]

Home - Lathams

Lathams is an architecture and urban design practice specialising in evidence based contextual design and conservation.

www.lathamarchitects.co.uk

Follow the link to the project sheet and the photo of two faces. The one on the left is Derek Latham.

 

[Richard Dye]

Brian,

Here's the man you need to contact:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Latham

Maurice

Well done Maurice...………….

 

[JudiM]

And the mystery is solved!!! Indeed the faces are those of some of the project team from Lathams.

How wonderful