Full Report for Listed Buildings
The list description is not intended to be a complete inventory of what is listed: it is principally intended to aid identification. By law, the definition of a listed building includes the entire building (i) and any structure or object that is fixed to the said building and ancillary to it and (ii) any other structure or object that forms part of the land and has done so since before 1 July 1948, and was within the curtilage of the building, and ancillary to it, on the date on which said building was first included in the list, or on 1 January 1969, whichever was later.
Summary Description
Reference Number
22383
Building Number
Grade
II
Status
Designated
Date of Designation
30/09/1999
Date of Amendment
30/09/1999
Name of Property
Former Pump House at Dunlop Semtex Factory
Address
Location
Unitary Authority
Blaenau Gwent
Community
Nantyglo and Blaina
Town
Locality
Brynmawr
Easting
318858
Northing
211107
Street Side
W
Location
Prominently located on the W side of road leading from Brynmawr to Winchestown. Building is situated on fringe of large pond, SW of factory complex.
Description
Broad Class
Industrial
Period
History
Built 1946-8 as the pump house for the contemporary Brynmawr Rubber Factory. The complex was designed by the Architects’ Co-operative, in conjunction with the structural engineers Ove Arup and Partners. The factory was initiated by Lord Forrester, Director of Brimsdown Rubber Company, who aimed to provide large-scale employment in the economically depressed valleys. The structural ingenuity of the factory was renowned, particularly the use of thin-shell concrete vaults and domes, covering a vast open production area. The factory converted raw rubber into a variety of manufactured goods, including floor tiles, shoe soles, and industrial products. The building cost £800,000, the contractors being Holland, Hannen and Cubitt of London. Taken over by Dunlop Semtex in 1956, who made synthetic flooring for hospitals and public buildings. Cheaper manufactured goods and improvements in industrial floor coverings led to closure in 1982. Local tradition states that the circular stone-faced pump-house was inspired by the nearby roundhouses, built c. 1822 by Joseph Bailey to protect himself and his family against rebellion at the Nantyglo Ironworks.
Exterior
Tall circular building, of concrete construction, faced with Pennant stone. Continuous low clerestory of two-light windows below concrete saucer domed roof, which has bitumen covering. Doorway facing road with cambered stone voussoired head. Continuous pre-cast concrete walkway around base of building with metal rail.
Interior
Saucer dome has radiating ribs and central oculus.
Reason for designation
Listed as part of a renowned and constructionally pioneering industrial complex, the first work to be designed by the prolific Architects’ Co-operative Partnership in conjunction with one of Britain’s leading structural engineers, Sir Ove Arup. Group value with the main factory complex.
Cadw : Full Report for Listed Buildings [ Records 1 of 1 ]
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