Images Dated 11th February 2022

Compacting machinery JLP01_01_006_44

FILTON AIRFIELD, SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE. A 10 ton rubber tyred wobble wheel roller, pulled by a caterpillar tractor, compacting ground during the construction of a new runway at Filton Airfield.
Laing extended the runway westwards at Filton Airfield to accommodate the Bristol Brabazon airliner, which was being built at the airfield. Work began in July 1946 on the new runway, which was 2,725 yards long and 100 yards wide. The work required the requisitioning and removal of Charlton village and a temporary flying strip was laid, for use while the new runway was under construction. The base course formation was compacted in 8 inch layers, first by sheepsfoot rolls, then by 10 ton wobble wheel rollers, and finally by 8 to 10 ton power rollers. The caption below this photograph in the album reads: "Rubber-tired (sic) roller finally produces a fairly finished surface."

© Historic England Archive

Finsbury Avenue JLP01_10_16998

Finsbury Avenue, Broadgate, City of London. A night scene with the lights from the office block at 1 Finsbury Avenue reflected by the pool in front.
The Finsbury Avenue complex was a three phase speculative office development by Rosehaugh Greycoat Estates in anticipation of the deregulation of the financial markets in 1986. It aimed to entice potential tenants in the financial services industry to a fringe area on the edge of the City through high quality design and construction. Designed by Peter Foggo of Arup Associates, Laing secured the management contract for the construction of each phase in turn. Work on phase one, 1 Finsbury Avenue began in December 1982 and was completed by September 1984 followed by phase two, 3 Finsbury Avenue, from October 1985 to December 1986 with work beginning on phase three, 2 Finsbury Avenue in January 1987 and complete by April 1988. The design for each of the three buildings followed a "shell and core" approach incorporating flexibility in the internal construction and allowing simple reconfiguration of space according to tenants needs. Laing undertook several contracts to refit office space in each of the buildings in subsequent years.
1 Finsbury Avenue is constructed around a central atrium with an octagonal glazed lantern roof providing daylight to the office space on all floors and in contrast to expectations from the dark bronze anodised aluminium and tinted windows of the exterior. The roof terraces stepped design and the brises soleil with diagonal bracing breaks up the silhouette and facade of the building and mitigate the impact of its size. The building became almost a blueprint for future developments of this kind. It won a RIBA design award in 1987 and was listed grade II in 2015

© Historic England Archive

Finsbury Avenue JLP01_09_841599

Finsbury Avenue, Broadgate, City of London. The newly completed office building at 1 Finsbury Avenue with a paved and landscaped concourse in front.
The Finsbury Avenue complex was a three phase speculative office development by Rosehaugh Greycoat Estates in anticipation of the deregulation of the financial markets in 1986. It aimed to entice potential tenants in the financial services industry to a fringe area on the edge of the City through high quality design and construction. Designed by Peter Foggo of Arup Associates, Laing secured the management contract for the construction of each phase in turn.
Work on phase one, 1 Finsbury Avenue began in December 1982 and was completed by September 1984 followed by phase two, 3 Finsbury Avenue, from October 1985 to December 1986 with work beginning on phase three, 2 Finsbury Avenue in January 1987 and complete by April 1988.
The design for each of the three buildings followed a "shell and core" approach incorporating flexibility in the internal construction and allowing simple reconfiguration of space according to tenants needs. Laing undertook several contracts to refit office space in each of the buildings in subsequent years.
1 Finsbury Avenue is constructed around a central atrium with an octagonal glazed lantern roof providing daylight to the office space on all floors and in contrast to expectations from the dark bronze anodised aluminium and tinted windows of the exterior. The roof terraces stepped design and the brises soleil with diagonal bracing breaks up the silhouette and facade of the building and mitigate the impact of its size. The building became almost a blueprint for future developments of this kind. It won a RIBA design award in 1987 and was listed grade II in 2015.
This photograph was used in the November 1984 edition of Team Spirit, the Laing company newsletter

© Historic England Archive