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PULLMAN COURT NEWS ARCHIVE: Summer 2005 | December 2004
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PULLMAN COURT NEWS summer 2005 (web version)
Pullman Court gets 'Building of the Month'
As Pullman Court residents we have a new reason to be proud. Our beautiful estate was nominated Building of the Month in May by the prestigious Twentieth Century Society, founded in 1979 to protect post-1914 British Architecture. We now join a list of masterpieces such as the Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe and the Bauhaus Masters' Houses in Dessau, Germany, by Walter Gropius.
In its description of Pullman Court the Society reminds us that: 'Pullman Court is the first major work of the architect Frederick Gibberd and one of the first developments built in the International Modern style in Britain.' The full article can be accessed on the website www.C20society.org.uk
Getting in and out
You will by now have noticed that we have lovely new entryphones and driveways at Pullman Court. The installation of the entryphone system, securing each block, was the first job on the major works plan. It was followed swiftly and successfully by the replacement of the driveways. Previous work on the driveways was of poor quality and the potholes couldn't take any more patching. Now they have been replaced with a quality heavy-duty material that should last for years. The driveways have considerably smartened the appearance of Pullman Court and, for those with cars, created two extra parking spaces.
But how do they work? Entryphone fobs explained
The entryphone system implemented here at Pullman Court has been carefully chosen to accommodate our needs. The system consists of a terminal (the box that you key the flat number into/swipe outside the door), a control unit (inside the entrance) and an interphone (in your flat).
First the control unit is pre-set with a personal identification number (PIN) for each person. This control unit is connected to the lock release mechanism of the door and the terminal outside the door. When you swipe your fob (aka 'that little black thingy') circuits buried in the card are 'swept' by an antenna in the terminal. Your pin is recognised, the door is released and in you go.
How the driveway layout has changed
When Pullman Court was designed in 1936, few people had cars and only ten parking spaces were created. There was a long central island dividing the drive at the pool end but that was removed, we think, in the 1950s when car ownership became more common. The need for parking spaces along the main drive makes the possibility of reinstating that original island now impractical. In an interview in 1984 the architect of Pullman Court, Frederick Gibberd, said that if he had known cars would become so common he would have designed the block differently, with driveways along each side where the sheds are now (the sheds were designated for the traffic of the day: 'prams, bicycles and pushchairs'), and not through the centre. We assume he imagined the main driveway to be a quiet zone, with little traffic to disturb the peace around the pool and gardens.
Another interesting factor that originally affected the layout of the drives is the position of trees on the site. We can see from old photos that the big cedar at the front was already there, as were some trees along the side paths.
NINETEENTHIRTYSIX Coinciding with Pullman Court’s participation in the London Open House, on the 17 and 18th September, there will be an exhibition of contemporary art taking place in various flats around the court. The exhibition was organised by the artists’ group INTERNATIONAL STYLE, comprised of two of the many people living in the block who are involved in the arts. We hope you all go for a look in September!
Also, remember to hand in your recipes for the PULLMAN COURT COOKBOOK which will be launched at the event.
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PCSM
It was decided at a PCSM board meeting in March 2005 to terminate Harrow Management's contract. As well as investigating a number of managing agents to replace Harrow when their notice period ends in September 2005, the directors have been looking into the possibility of employing an on-site Estate Manager. This option now seems unlikely, as no candidates with the neccesary combination of financial, legal, administrative and property management skills applied for the job. Three new managing agents are now being considered, one of which looks very promising. The directors will be in touch as soon as any further details can be confirmed.PCRA
Pullman Court Residents' Association has not met since February 2005 when it was agreed that leaseholders interested in being involved in decision-making at Pullman Court should become directors of PCSM. As this process has not been as effective as anticipated, there have been requests to revive residents' meetings as a forum for discussing ideas, meeting directors and getting involved without committing to being a director. If anyone is interested in becoming involved, or indeed if you have any thoughts on this matter, please get in touch with Antoinette on antoinette@pullmancourt.org.uk__________________________________________
Christmas edition of the residents newsletter (web version)
Much has happened over the past few months. In September, Pullman Court participated in the annual Open House event, opening its doors to the general public on the merit of its architectural interest. In October, the first AGM of PCSM was held and new directors were elected who will help steer the management and improvement of Pullman Court over the forthcoming year. We have also seen work commence on the installation of an entry phone system, designed to improve general security for us all.
1 PCSM AGM
2 It’s Happening in Pullman Court
3 Pullman Court Architecture
4 Pullman Court in the media
Annual General Meeting of Pullman Court Streatham Management
The first AGM of Pullman Court Streatham Management (PCSM) was held on Thursday 28th October. Nine residents attended, taking the opportunity to consult the Directors (leaseholders AOL and TON and Freeholder DT) the Managing Agents, auditor and solicitor. Much was learnt about current and future plans for the management of the estate and how this will contribute to the market value of individual flats.
The meeting went well. AOL stood and was re elected and ST was elected as a new director. TON gave a progress report, and the audited accounts for the year 2002/2003 were discussed. The residents were then able to ask questions and make comments.
PCSM always welcomes active members who are willing to assist with the running of the estate and make decisions about its development - this is your chance to make a direct contribution to the improvement of our living environment. If for any reason you were unable to attend the AGM and would like to get involved, you can do so through the residents’ meetings, held the first Tuesday in each month, in the back block.
Open House 2004
Back in September, Pullman Court once again took part in the annual Open House event, when private buildings of architectural interest open their doors to the Public. Two residents opened up their flats to visitors and around 300 people streamed through admiring the building.
Those who attended were able to express their interest in our building - and indeed, at least one visitor from last year’s event has since bought a flat here - or exchange stories from times past.
Another sunny day in Pullman Court
A couple who lived here from 1956 brought their daughter and granddaughter to see the place where they began married life and were ‘very happy’.
A gentleman who moved here in 1948 recounted how he had paid ten shillings a week for his ‘luxury’ flat and particularly liked the bar in the foyer of the back block where they often held dances - ‘no drink driving problems’. One highlight for him was seeing a bikini for the first time, on the then teenage Nanette Newman.
Another recalled how, as a child of seven, he lived in a dark Victorian terrace. Visiting his parents’ friends here had opened his eyes to how wonderful, light and elegant architecture could be. He still vividly remembers the impact the block had on him and was delighted have the chance to visit again.
Pullman Court also attracts keen interest from architects, one who is projecting a block of flats in Brighton, came to see Pullman Court for inspiration. He was particularly interested in the one bedroom flats and their sliding doors.
Thank you to everyone who helped out.
A Perspective on Pullman Court’s Architecture and History
This new series of articles will investigate the architecture and interiors of Pullman Court from the swimming pool to the doorknobs.
In the 1930s Frederick Gibberd was a young architect excited by the advanced ideas of modernist architecture. He looked carefully at every detail of the design of Pullman Court to combine form and function in the best possible way. Tenants even had the option to buy furniture he designed especially for the flats. Here we look at the lamps Gibberd designed for the interiors.
Lighting at Pullman Court
Gibberd had very specific ideas about the lighting here and he worked with one of the UK’s major lamp designers and manufacturers, Best & Lloyd, based in Birmingham. From their catalogue, he selected some models and adapted others. There were wall lamps for most living rooms and bathrooms, and ceiling lamps for the bedrooms, the entrance corridors, and the kitchens. The selections provided a distinctive and very modern style, as you can see in these Best & Lloyd Ltd advert (Architectural Review February 1936).
Best & Lloyd are still in business. They are now a very expensive, classic brand, specialising in working directly for or with architects. Some of their lamps sell for around £350. Their most famous product is probably the Bestlite, on which the lamps for the living rooms at Pullman Court were based. This lamp is famous, it is said, for being the favourite light of Winston Churchill. It is possible to find Bestlite lamps on e-bay, but people know what they are worth, so they never sell cheap! If you want your flat to reflect the original design 1950's or 60s lamps can be a good, cheaper alternative. Lamps from the 1930s are often too elaborate for the clean architecture and size of our flats. Pullman Court was designed in the modernist international style, influenced by Bauhaus ideas, and avoided superfluous ornamentation. Good alternatives for the ball-lamps used in the kitchens and bathrooms are much easier to find than the overhead lighting. A variety of modern manufacturers have suitable styles.
We have not seen any of the main entrance lamps featured on the 1936 advert and very few flats remain with original lighting. If you have spotted any, please let us know as we would like to make a record of all of them. These are valuable objects, part of the history of modern architecture.
Addresses:
Best & Lloyd / The Coach House
1A Ampton Road
Edgbaston
Birmingham B15 2UP
Phone 0121 446 6191 Fax 0121 446 5329
Also check outwww.bestandlloyd.co.uk
www.e-bay.co.uk
Pullman Court in the media
The architecture and style of Pullman Court inspires visual artists, it is
often used as a setting for film and photo shoots. In this image a band is
photographed in the living room of one of the larger flats - the original
unit in the background incorporates an electric fire, radio and cabinet.
Image by Oleg Micheyev, courtesy of Oyster magazine.
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