Snippets about Electra House senior
The recent external refurbishment of this Grade II Listed building,
dated 1903, is the third major contract completed by Triton as
Main Contractor for the London Guildhall University.
Combining 12 specialist restoration and ancillary trades, all works
were carefully planned before commencement on site to ensure completion
within a tight contract programme and minimal disruption to the occupants.
The original Electra House, at Moorgate, London, was opened in 1902 and
became the accommodation for the Eastern and Associated Telegraph Companies.
Housed in two rooms in the basement was the company’s London training school.
To the ornate front elevation, the Portland stone was cleaned using water
sprays. The JOS air abrasive system was used for ingrained dirt and
poultices and for the removal of deep seated copper stains. New carved stone
sections included replacement scroll brackets, lions' head motifs and
indents to the ashlar, with in-situ repair used for minor spalls. Old gel
strip bird repellent was carefully removed and cleaned from ledges and
replaced with a stainless steel wire system. Major repairs were undertaken
at roof level with the installation of Purlroofer insulation, renovation
of the rooflights, complete renewal of the asphalt and provision of new
Code 8 lead to the cornice and weathering details. A new Keeclamp handrail
was then installed to enclose the fire escape route. All doors, windows
and metalwork to the main elevation were fully refubished and repaired
prior to the redecoration of all previously painted surfaces.
The original design for Electra House had 8 lions on the Moorgate side
and 4 on the side street, a total of 12 and there are 12 lions on the cupola.
From "Public sculpture of the city of London" by Philip Ward-Jackson.
"Young Atlases with Armillary Sphere and Zodiacal Globe"
Sculptor: F.W.Pomeroy. Material: Bronze
Four naked boys support the massive hollow
form of the armillary sphere, within which a
solid globe is suspended. The Zodiacal signs are
represented on a bronze band encircling the
sphere.
For F.Herbert Mansford, Pomeroy's
ring of boys recalled "those of Galileo's lamp at
Pisa" Notes:
[1] Electra House. The New Home of the Eastern and
Associated Telegraph Companies, London 1902, p4
[2]Builder's Journal and Architectural Record, 20 Aug 1902, p3
Other photos of Electra House, Moorgate on Geograph:
University |
Globe |
Window 1 |
Window 2
|
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