Former Nylon Spinners Factory

Former Nylon Spinners Factory

This is a steel-framed reinforced concrete factory building designed around the modernist principles of efficient industrial production. The design expresses every stage of the manufacturing process through its architectural composition, with the building organized as a series of linked cuboid blocks of varying heights, each determined by its functional purpose.

The dominant feature is a tall tower positioned at the east end of the complex, which housed the early stages of raw nylon polymer transformation. Behind this lay the large, unobstructed spinning areas, with packing rooms originally at the far end (now demolished). The south range contained dining rooms, kitchens, cloakrooms, workshops and stores on the ground floor, with administrative offices at first-floor level. These welfare and office spaces were separated from the main production floors by a series of internal courtyards with formal gardens.

The architecture employs a minimalist modernist idiom in both planning and detail. The fenestration uses grids of steel casement windows whose differential placement, spacing and size reflect the varying functions of each section. The building's material palette comprises distinctive rustic brick facings with artificial Portland stone dressings.

The east-facing elevation is dominated by the massive central tower, articulated by fins dividing areas of glazed brick and topped with a boldly projecting cornice. These features reference a classical portico, symbolically marking the entry point for raw materials. A loading bay is positioned at the tower's base, with the original works entrance further south. To the left of the tower, the former laboratory and welfare block displays high-set grids of steel casements narrowly framed with stone sills and cornices. This banded fenestration continues across the long south elevation, where a western extension features a continuous grid of windows just below the eaves cornice. To the right of the tower, plant rooms of varying heights are expressed as distinct blocks with banded windows. The long north range displays similar treatment, with windows framed by ashlar pilasters. The main production floors set back from both elevations rise higher but receive similar architectural expression.

Internally, the undivided factory floors for spinning are linked to the welfare and administration block by corridors crossing the internal gardens. The building's riveted girder and welded steel column structure is clearly expressed internally, with concrete floors and ceilings.

Some alterations have been made for new entrances, but the original arrangement remains substantially intact.