Archive for 7 May 2007
Market Place
I like this pattern created in the cobblestones of the road that encircles the Market Square (Called ‘Market Place‘)in the centre of Hitchin. It lends it a medieval look. The texture created by the interplay of light and shade and depth is nice. The sound of the cars driving over them is enjoyable too. In short, the whole ‘Experience’ of this unintentional ‘Installation‘ is pleasurable. A ‘Must-See’ for all art enthusiasts.
Modillioned Pediment
The Head or Pediment, is the top bit of the porch and the ‘Modillioned’ bit refers to the scroll and square bits on the head. Often there is fancy ‘Acanthus’ scroll work and block modillions on neo-classical buildings. All of this can be looked up in an architect’s catalogue if you want to know more. (or even ‘Google’ it) This ‘Pediment’ and Porch is the entrance to a very nice building on Bancroft. Used by Phillips Antiques. The inside is even better and I would love to look around and photograph it.
Plaster and Lath
The 17th century building that houses the shop called ‘Fusion’ at 101 Bancroft, now has some absolutely wonderful plaster & lath and timber framing exposed. The lower panel board is covering up a smaller bit of plaster and lath that became exposed when some of the rendering fell off or was knocked off; whereas the upper bit seems to have been exposed deliberately to effect repairs while the shop is refurbished. What a great way to see how medieval (and later) buildings were constructed.
There seem to be a few methods of ‘infilling’ the timber framing known as nogging. It can either be in brick or plaster and lath. In the photograph above, one can see the large timber framing with plaster and lath nogging in between. In the sections of the plaster and lath, the upright ‘studs’ that the horizontal ‘laths’ attach to are then in filled with plaster. A serendipitous ‘find’ to say the least.