In casual conversation with Mr Matt Rettalick, at the Manchester Modernist HQ our attention casually turned to the topic of the prefabricated concrete garage.
I thought little more of it until yesterday, I then I resolved to get to the bottom of the matter.
Joseph Monier was a gardener and his idea was to develop permanent planters at a low price. In 1867, he patented different products made of reinforced concrete.
Precast panelled buildings were pioneered in Liverpool 1905. The process was invented by city engineer John Alexander Brodie, a creative genius who also invented the idea of the football goal net. The tram stables at Walton in Liverpool followed in 1906. The idea was not taken up extensively in Britain. However, it was adopted all over the world, particularly in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.
The first concrete kit garages appeared in 1952, manufactured by Marley, earlier models had been constructed from wood, asbestos, corrugated iron or galvanised steel.
The sunrise became a common symbol of inter war optimism.
The increase in car ownership, the growth in the DIY ethic and the lack of an integrated garage, drove the demand for a pre-cast concrete auto-haven at the end of the drive.
They became a staple of the small ads.
Easy terms built to last.
Kenkast is the name which for me resonates down through the years, though there were it seems, several other manufacturers.
Batley Garages 128 Colledge Road Holbrooks Coventry Warks
Introducing the ultra-modern sprung up and over doors.
And a slap in the face for the truth to materials merchants.
Bowmonk Garages Spring Gardens Doncaster Yorks
Built to last.
A gorgeous Profil/Stymie Bold Italic banner and the promise of the only concrete garage that doesn’t look prefabricated – the ultimate status symbol.
C&R Garages Northowram Halifax
Compton Garages Fenny Compton Leamington Spa Warks
Coombe Construction Malden Road New Malden Surrey
Cradwill Tiles Ltd Kettering Northants
The garage of the future.
Dencroft Garages Bradford Road Batley
Established 1948 and still in business.
Kencast Astley Manchester
Marley South Ockendon Romford
Still in business and responsible through time for a range of products and the development of the DIY Super Store.
Still standing.
Silver Mist Brockham Betchworth Surrey
J Thorn & Sons Brampton Road Bexleyheath Kent
Also supplying an exciting array or industrial buildings.
S Wernick & Sons still very much in business
We now live in an age of endless non-stop domestic extension, all of the above are reminders of an age when extra external domestic space was added over a weekend, with help from a friend.
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