Large shed at builders' yard ('John Graham Construction')

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Large single storey Belfast Truss-roofed builders’ store of perhaps c.1935-40 in brick with later alterations in breeze block. The building is located on the S side of a large builders’ yard off the S side of Lower Mount Street, Dromore.

The building is rectangular in plan form, measuring roughly 31.3m x 11.9. The long N elevation is in original brown-ish brick to the far left hand side with the rest (which may once have been boarded or covered by large doors) in a later breeze block. There are two large vehicle doorways to this elevation each with sliding double doors in timber with high level glazed panels. There is a large boarded up window opening to the far left hand side.

The E (gabled) elevation is in original brick and has a tall stepped parapet which rises into a shallow gable. There are two large doorways to this elevation, both of which appear to have been loading bay doorways, (i.e. set slightly above ground level), but which are no longer in use. That to left (which could not be seen in its entirety) has a timber and glazed door similar to the doorways to the N elevation, whilst that to right is boarded up.

To the W the store abuts a separate building. The S elevation is in brick and has a long row of large windows with mullioned and transomed frames, with each window separated by a pier. The curved roof appears to be felt-covered and has a central row of (relatively) large gabled skylights.

Historical information

Map evidence suggests this building dates from some time after 1931- perhaps the later 1930s

The Belfast truss was developed in the mid-nineteenth century to meet the demand for efficient, lightweight and long span roofs brought about by the industrial revolution. A detailed description of the historical development of the Belfast truss is included in the record for HB18/08/139. In brief, the first known reference to a curved wooden felted roof structure supported by bowstring girders is in an advertisement in the Dublin Builder for 1866 by the Belfast firm of felt-makers, McTear & Co. McTear’s continued making trusses until they went out of business in 1908.

A second Belfast felt supplier, Anderson & Co., began to produce trusses, to a slightly different design, in 1886. In 1896, Anderson’s launched their Mk II version; promoted as maximising long spans whilst maintaining light weight. This model was subsequently used by other companies, and is referred to by historians as the Belfast truss, although this term is widely used to apply to all timber bowstring trusses where the internal bracing members meet not on the bottom of the truss as was the convention but on the top curved member.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Large single storey Belfast Truss-roofed builders’ store of c.1935-40 in brick with significant later alterations in breeze block. This building is a relatively large and and as such now relatively rare example of its type, however its front elevation appears to have been significantly altered.

General comments

Surveyed as part of the Belfast Roof Truss survey.