The Juxtaposition of Engineering and Architectural Elements in the Tran Shed
Designer: William Henry Barlow
Builders: Butterley Company
1868-77
In this part of the structure, engineering and architecture join, or at least appear juxtaposed to each another. According to Carol Meeks, "St. Pancras' metal work was at first painted brown in view of the dark deposits which were expected eventually to encrust it, but Mr. Allport, a director, ultimately persuaded Barlow and Scott to repaint it sky blue. Why did the latter have to be persuaded? Had the brown decades already come to England? There was nothing drab about Scott's adjoining hotel" (p. 86n12).
Photograph and text by George P. Landow