Hunky punk
A hunky punk is a colloquial variation of a grotesque carving, specific to the West Country of England, particularly Somerset.
A hunky punk is often a short squatting figure, usually an animal, carved in stone. The name apparently derives from a combination of the old English terms ‘hunkers’ meaning haunches, and ‘punchy’ meaning short-legged.
They are typically found on late-Gothic churches, although they can be found from middle-to-late medieval architecture onwards. They are typically positioned at the corner of a church tower, along the coping ridge below any crenellations.
While similar in appearance to gargoyles, a hunky punk is actually a grotesque in that it is a purely ornamental architectural feature rather than having the function of draining water. However, Victorians did punch holes through some hunky punks to create rainwater downpipes.
The theory behind hunky punks and grotesques in general, was that churches were designed to reflect the balance between good and evil, reminding worshippers of the narrow path leading through life. As a result, for every saint or animal that was intended to signify purity and ‘goodness’, there was also an ugly creature to signify evil and ‘badness’.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
IHBC NewsBlog
Looking Ahead to IHBC’s Brighton 2020 School – ‘Old towns : New futures’
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Ordnance Survey (OS) have collaborated to identify high streets in Great Britain with new data survey analysis & interactive maps.
Dramatic pictures show structure lifted onto roof of Nottingham’s ‘most secret’ building
Dramatic pictures show the moment a huge temporary framework was added to one of Nottingham’s most beautiful historic buildings, Bromley House.
Victorian Society kick starts ‘Top 10 Most Endangered Buildings Campaign’
Nominations are now open, as the Victorian Society asks residents in England and Wales to nominate threatened Victorian buildings for their Top 10 Endangered Buildings of 2019.
‘Building a safer future’ – consultation on reform of the building safety regulatory system
England’s Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) seeks views on proposals for a radically new building and fire safety system.
Plastic road built on new housing development
Springfield Properties has become the UK’s first house builder to use waste plastic to build a road on a housing development.
Historic building that exported lace around the world restored to its former glory
One of Nottingham’s most cherished Victorian buildings, The Birkin Building designed by Thomas Chamber Hine in 1855 in Nottingham’s Lace Market, has been restored.
Ramboll report finds clients underestimate economic value of sustainability
A recent Ramboll study indicates that rental yield and property values are underrated, as developers and investors underestimate the value of producing sustainable buildings.
England’s ‘HODs’ celebrates 25th anniversary, from 13 to 22 September 2019
This year, England’s Heritage Open Days (HODs) is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a raft of new initiatives and partners, focusing on this year’s theme of ‘People Power’.