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100 Buildings 100 Years
1932: Boots D10 Pharmaceutical Building
Status: Listed Grade I
Type: Commercial/offices
Architect: Owen Williams
Location: off Humber Road South, Beeston, Nottinghamshire, NG90 2PR
This factory is also known as Boots Packed Wet Goods Factory. Built in 1930-32 for the Boots Company it is one of several fine buildings on this large site, and as such has achieved international recognition, and was listed in 1971. Engineer Sir Owen Williams, the designer, is also known for the Daily Express building in Manchester, 1936-9 (listed Grade II* in 1974) considered to be his finest work.
The D10 building was notable for its innovative use and development of structural concrete. It used reinforced concrete, the structural frame, as an external material, allowing the design to incorporate unusually large areas of glass. It is the earliest use of such a structural system in a large-scale industrial building in England. The building is huge – 580 feet long and over 70 feet in height. A railway ran through the centre of the factory, enabling raw materials to be delivered and finished products taken away.
by David Rock
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