A

Celebration of

Pitched Roof Grandstands

in the UK: From The Past & Present

 

 
Some of the best stands in the UK have something in common - the design of their roof. A pitched roof has its ridge at the centre - lengthways - of the building, and both sides slope down at the same angle. A relatively simple roof - and aesthetically surely the most pleasing to the eye? Sadly many of the best such stands in the UK are already lost, often victims of re-development but frequently the result of arson attacks. We are used to rectangular shapes as almost everything in the home or workplace has 90 degree corners. A roof with an end section of anything other than an equilateral triangle can look awkward or clumsy, lacking the simplicity of the main feature of a pitched roof. Taking into account the design requirement of any grandstand - to shelter those sitting inside - many stands have a front face which is longer than the rear, often in the form of an overhang.

Look at Erith & Belvedere, compare it to Letchworth. The extreme overhang on the latter gives an incredible edge to the design of an unsung and sadly now-demolished gem of British football. Try to work out what it is that makes the design of the stands in this section special. Consider other major stands - see if you do not agree with me that the old Tooting & Mitcham stand, magnificent though it was, does not have the simple class of any of those illustrated here.

 

~ click here for the Pitched Roof Sunset Gallery ~