Looking up at Bearwood House, a multi-storey block of 'Sectra' flats

Date:: 18 May 1966

Location:: Bearwood House, Bearwood Road, Smethwick, Sandwell

Reference:: JLP01/08/073587

Type:: Photograph (Negative)

Not what you're looking for? Try a new search

Description

'Sectra’ was a French prefabricated steel formwork design for flats which John Laing and Son Ltd acquired the British rights to in 1962. It was a method of using precision made steel formwork for the placing of structural concrete in 'tunnel' sections in room unit widths and ceiling heights. The units were bolted together in rows on special tracks, with the concrete poured to form the walls and floors in one operation. The formwork was internally heated to accelerate the hardening of the concrete in the mould and the sections were then lifted into position by a tower crane on the construction site. Bearwood House was built by Laing for Smethwick Borough County Council. The architects were K.R. Emmett, S. Greenwood, J.E. Hepburn and R.E. Philcock. Construction work started in 1965 and the building was opened on 25th January 1966. The block was in two sections with one part stepped back from the other and there were 89 flats each with its own balcony. The building has since been demolished.

This image was catalogued as part of the Breaking New Ground Project in partnership with the John Laing Charitable Trust in 2019-20.

Content

This is part of the Series: JLP01/08 John Laing Photographic Collection Black and White Negatives; within the Collection: JLP01 John Laing Photographic Collection

Rights

Keywords

Mid 20th Century Flats