Bristol Joint Station
|
| Bristol Joint Station in a Victorian photo taken a short time after completion (Photo: David Martyn). |
A local architect has rewritten the history of Bristol’s Temple Meads railway station by discovering that its architect was Bristolian. Research by conservation architect David Martyn has attributed the Victorian Joint Station building to a local man, Henry Lloyd. The Victorian gothic-revival station building attached to Brunel’s old terminus had previously been thought to be by the London architect Matthew Digby Wyatt.
The research, published by the Bristol Industrial Archaeology Society, details the story of the virtually unknown architect.
Temple Meads Joint station was funded by the Great Western Railway, Midland Railway, and Bristol and Exeter Railway, who all shared cramped facilities in Brunel’s original station buildings. The new station, begun in 1874, more than doubled the capacity of the old building, creating the station much as it is known today.
Matthew Digby Wyatt had worked with Brunel on Paddington Station. Martyn believes that attributions to him since the 1950s have been groundless. ‘The chief engineer on the project, Francis Fox, was clear who was responsible for the architectural designs, but Lloyd was quickly forgotten. Lloyd’s final bill for design work was £500, a huge sum, but his claim was rejected by the station committee and he sank into obscurity.’
Lloyd was responsible for other buildings in the city, including terraces on Victoria Square. He also designed Exeter St David’s railway station with Francis Fox. The rebuilding of Temple Meads station reunited the two men a decade later.
Pivotal to the new discovery have been original drawings from the Brunel Institute, at the SS Great Britain.
Bristol Temple Meads is currently undergoing a £10.2 million refurbishment and David Martyn hopes that Lloyd might be commemorated when the restored building is unveiled.
This article originally appeared as ‘Bristol’s forgotten architect’ in the Institute of Historic Building Conservation’s (IHBC’s) Context 171, published in March 2022.
--Institute of Historic Building Conservation
Related articles on Designing Buildings
IHBC NewsBlog
HEF’s Heritage Sector Resilience Plan launched
The Heritage Sector Resilience Plan, developed by the Historic Environment Forum (HEF) with the support of Historic England, has been launched.
Common Commitment to all Ireland’s heritage – North South Agreement on Vernacular Heritage
An ‘All-Island’ commitment to Ireland’s vernacular heritage has been established with the signing of the North South Agreement on Vernacular Heritage, supporting traditional buildings etc.
Bristol Harbourside landmark Canons House gets GII listing
Canons House, a landmark building on Bristol Harbourside, has been awarded Grade II (GII) listed status having been built as a regional headquarters for Lloyds Bank between 1988 and 1991 (Arup)
BRE/BEIS project to modernise home energy rating scheme
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has announced a new project with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to improve and modernise the home energy rating scheme used to measure the energy and environmental performance of UK homes.
Interdisciplinary IHBC accreditation recognised by CSCS for PQP Cards
Sector lead the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has recognised the IHBC’s professional accreditation and support (CPD etc.) in awarding its PQP (Professionally Qualified Person) cards.
IHBC Heritage Marketplace provides learning-led virtual engagement
The IHBC’s 2022 Aberdeen School Heritage MarketPlace (4.30-7.30PM, 15 June) is designed to extend the scope of a traditional IHBC School exhibition floor.
Unearthing the history of Gloucester’s 'the Fleece' Hotel starts
Work to repair a fire-hit medieval hotel in Gloucester is underway as crews have started work to strip back some of the modern trappings and reveal the historic framework.
Booking Open for IHBC Annual School: Aberdeen, 16-18 June 2022
Options for in-person and virtual delegates to explore ‘heritage on the edge’ across up to 4 days of IHBC engagement & learning.
European Heritage Heads Forum statement on Ukraine
The Secretariat to the European Heritage Heads Forum has has coordinated its declaration of solidarity and support for Ukraine’s cultural heritage institutions.
Welcome to #IHBC25 – 25 years since we turned professional
2022 will see the IHBC mark a quarter of a century since our incorporation as a professional body supporting and accrediting built and historic environment conservation specialists. We’re kick-starting it by inviting your ideas on how to mark this special year!