Shop ('Ceramica')

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Relatively long single storey shop with Belfast Truss roof and roughcast façade, originally built [?c.1900-10] as a bakery. The property is set on the west side of Prospect Road, Bangor.

The building measures roughly 21.6m x 9m with exposed elevations to S and E. To the W and N it is abutted by other buildings. It is roughcast rendered with a smooth render base. To both elevations there are several large window openings (with modern frames), and, to the long E elevation, a large modern looking vehicle opening with roller shutter and a glazed pedestrian doorway. Modern signage to E elevation also. The curved roof is clad in painted corrugated metal, with the eaves and ‘gable’ area (to the S elevation) clad in similar material.

Historical information

According to the present occupant, this building was originally a bakery. Map evidence shows that it is post 1901.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS/6/3/2/3 OS map, Co Down sh 6, 1901

Secondary sources
1 Information supplied by the present occupant (Dec 2002)

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

Relatively long single storey shop with Belfast Truss roof and roughcast façade, originally built [?c.1900-10] as a bakery. A somewhat altered example of a small Belfast Truss-roofed building.

General comments

Surveyed as part of the Belfast Roof Truss survey.