Written by Laura McGill at Town & City for Learning Curve Group.
In a year where the world has changed for all of us, it has made me realise the importance of preserving our history, so that the generations to come can see how this shaped their future.
One of the ways of preserving our heritage is through our architecture and although the listed building status goes a long way to recognise those buildings with historical interest and significance, some credit should be given to the wider inventions that have shaped construction for decades. Much like the way that John Cadbury shaped the Midlands with his chocolate factory and accommodation for his staff, Francis Henry Crittall did the same with his window factory and associated village (Silver End) near my home in Essex.
Crittal Windows
Crittall windows were the first manufacturer of their kind and have now been crafting steel windows for over 200 years. Their popularity far exceeded other manufacturers in their industry due to their innovative and pioneering technical and aesthetic improvements. This often leaves Crittall window buildings of a certain era very easy to spot and admire.
Francis Crittall was not only a pioneer for the design of his product but he led the way in striving to improve the housing, working conditions and quality of life for his staff which was practically unheard of in his generation. In 1925, he began his vision to create a small component factory and village in Silver End, located between his main factories in Witham and Maldon, Essex.
A team of well-known architects were engaged and were provided with a personal brief for each house, for each employee by Mr Crittall himself. This included hot and cold running water to the upstairs bathroom (something very rare in 1925 but something that Francis Crittall considered a fundamental human right) and controversially flat roofs to allow more space and light.
Crittall windows were one of the first companies to ensure that their accommodation and working spaces accommodated disabled workers and providing a vast array of amenities including a village hall (opened by the Mayor of London in 1928), sports facilities, a bank, a school, a church, a telephone exchange and even a 3-storey department store, although that was sadly destroyed by fire in the 1950’s.
Upon visiting Silver End recently, I was pleased to see that Frank Crittall’s vision is still very much alive, even with new additions taking the same theme and design to ensure that the aesthetics of the village are preserved as the art-deco modernist village it was intended to be.
100-year-old Crittal Windows
I am currently completing a refurbishment project of 100-year-old Crittall windows at a 1930’s building in London, NW6 and this has cemented my belief that you have to do the correct research, due diligence and employ the right experts. The building surveyor acting as contract administrator on this specification of works, allowed for a Dulux 3-coat system for the windows which originally did not take and left the primer grinning through as the age of the window and the incorrect application made the absorbency increase. We had to halt the works and further consult the specialist Dulux representative and a Crittall window specialist to ensure things were set back on the correct course. Although this could only have been discovered through the practical procedures and could not have been identified prior to the commencement date of the works, if we had not halted things to look into this properly, the result could have been catastrophic and destroyed the aesthetic of the building entirely.
It has also provided vital experience for me personally and Town & City as a company to ensure that the needs of the historical buildings on our portfolio are met. We will shortly be putting together a formal due diligence procedure and training for our staff. We hope that Frank Crittall continues to be recalled for not only his innovative product but also for pushing the boundaries of society at the time to improve the working conditions and work/life balance of his employees. His designs should be properly maintained for future generations to admire in the years to come. I highly recommend a visit to Silver End, the quaint Essex countryside village with a lot of history and personality.
Laura McGill is working towards her Level 4 Housing & Property qualification with Learning Curve Group. Learning Curve Group work with businesses throughout the UK, supporting impactful training and skills strategies that help you meet core organisational objectives such as performance and output. From short-term vocational qualifications to longer-term apprenticeships, including the best way to utilise the Apprenticeship Levy, we help over 4,500 employers every year with their workplace training plans. With a number of different models, from short to long term, and access to over £20m of adult skills funding, our offer is attractive to a range of sectors.
learningcurvegroup.co.uk | [email protected] | 01388 777 129.
