Treforest Textile Printers

Cadw's description

Location

Set back from Main Avenue SE of the junction with Powys Road.

History

The South Wales and Monmouthshire Trading Estate at Treforest was established in 1936, the first such estate in Wales, and by 1939 sixty-six firms employed 2500 people. Its honorary architect from 1936-70 was Sir Percy Thomas. Most of the early factories were built as standard units. The Treforest Textile Printers is shown as a standardised unit on the 1948 Ordnance Survey, but the present front block was added in the early 1950s.

Exterior

A small factory comprising a fashionably modern L-shaped 2-storey entrance and administration wing in front of a wider 10-bay factory of asymmetrical bays. Both the front wing and factory are of brick, the front wing with concrete detailing, its roof concealed by plain parapets, and metal-framed windows incorporating pivoting lights. The main entrance is on the L side of the front and has replaced doors, and is within a single-storey projection wrapped around the angle and with full-height glazing. The upper storey also has a band of windows wrapped around the angle. In the L return wall is a porthole window below a plain stair light, beyond which are banded windows in both storeys. Projecting on the R side of the entrance is a narrow and higher rubble stone tower with window in its R side wall, further R of which is a 1-storey wing with banded windows. The R return wall has a similar window.

On the R side of the front wing the factory range is wider, the first 5 bays having banded windows, then the rear 5 bays, which are a late addition, are further stepped out.

Reason for designation

Listed for its architectural interest as an accomplished, well-detailed and well-preserved industrial building in the mid-C20 manner of Sir Percy Thomas and partners.