Construction History Society
@constructionhist.bsky.social
Construction history worldwide. Materials, technologies, systems and people relating to construction in the past. Journal, members' magazine, conferences etc
To get a follow-back tell us your construction interests.
https://www.constructionhistory.co.uk
To get a follow-back tell us your construction interests.
https://www.constructionhistory.co.uk
Pinned
The Construction Historian is delighted that so many of our mutuals on here are architects / architectural historians....
BUT...
Construction history is NOT the same as architectural history. Appearance isn't everything!
We are interested in how structures (incl buildings) were built, by whom & why.
BUT...
Construction history is NOT the same as architectural history. Appearance isn't everything!
We are interested in how structures (incl buildings) were built, by whom & why.
Building post-war housing, Castlemilk near Glasgow. 1956. Nice clips of heavy machinery.
movingimage.nls.uk/film/12608?s...
movingimage.nls.uk/film/12608?s...
movingimage.nls.uk
December 6, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Building post-war housing, Castlemilk near Glasgow. 1956. Nice clips of heavy machinery.
movingimage.nls.uk/film/12608?s...
movingimage.nls.uk/film/12608?s...
Reposted by Construction History Society
Good news Friday: Developers have again been blocked from demolishing the former Central Cinema (1930) in Cambridge, over concerns around the loss of its historic Egyptian Art Deco facade.
C20 argued strongly for retention of the façade and for it to be incorporated into any new development scheme.
C20 argued strongly for retention of the façade and for it to be incorporated into any new development scheme.
December 5, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Good news Friday: Developers have again been blocked from demolishing the former Central Cinema (1930) in Cambridge, over concerns around the loss of its historic Egyptian Art Deco facade.
C20 argued strongly for retention of the façade and for it to be incorporated into any new development scheme.
C20 argued strongly for retention of the façade and for it to be incorporated into any new development scheme.
Reposted by Construction History Society
🕰️ Join us online on Tues, 24 Feb 2026, from 6–7 pm for a talk with Chris Skidmore on Quaker meeting house architecture. Discover how these seemingly simple buildings feature unique elements and evolving styles as Friends adopted mainstream designs.
🔗 Register: hbap.org.uk/online-talk-...
🔗 Register: hbap.org.uk/online-talk-...
December 5, 2025 at 5:41 PM
🕰️ Join us online on Tues, 24 Feb 2026, from 6–7 pm for a talk with Chris Skidmore on Quaker meeting house architecture. Discover how these seemingly simple buildings feature unique elements and evolving styles as Friends adopted mainstream designs.
🔗 Register: hbap.org.uk/online-talk-...
🔗 Register: hbap.org.uk/online-talk-...
The Construction Historian is always keen to hear from anyone anywhere in the world about whatever construction history topic they are working on. Our peer-reviewed International Journal of Construction History is always looking for articles. Get in touch.
December 5, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The Construction Historian is always keen to hear from anyone anywhere in the world about whatever construction history topic they are working on. Our peer-reviewed International Journal of Construction History is always looking for articles. Get in touch.
Reposted by Construction History Society
So often we are left to imagine what the domestic buildings of an abbey looked like, but here at #CleeveAbbey in #Somerset we have a complete record from C13 until the Dissolution. It's a beautiful place and we're going to explore some of its fascinating nooks and crannies
November 23, 2025 at 10:11 PM
So often we are left to imagine what the domestic buildings of an abbey looked like, but here at #CleeveAbbey in #Somerset we have a complete record from C13 until the Dissolution. It's a beautiful place and we're going to explore some of its fascinating nooks and crannies
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My first online talk for nearly a year will take place tomorrow evening (Tue 25 Nov). It will look at how we can use archives, archaeology and dendrochronology to date ancient buildings.
This will be a brand new bespoke talk & I hope you can join us...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dating-anc...
This will be a brand new bespoke talk & I hope you can join us...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dating-anc...
November 24, 2025 at 11:19 AM
My first online talk for nearly a year will take place tomorrow evening (Tue 25 Nov). It will look at how we can use archives, archaeology and dendrochronology to date ancient buildings.
This will be a brand new bespoke talk & I hope you can join us...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dating-anc...
This will be a brand new bespoke talk & I hope you can join us...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dating-anc...
Reposted by Construction History Society
#Architecture, Hybridity, and the Codex Mellon: Collaborative Design at St. Peter’s #earlymodern
tickets.nga.gov/events/019a5...
tickets.nga.gov/events/019a5...
November 24, 2025 at 3:23 PM
#Architecture, Hybridity, and the Codex Mellon: Collaborative Design at St. Peter’s #earlymodern
tickets.nga.gov/events/019a5...
tickets.nga.gov/events/019a5...
Reposted by Construction History Society
Demolition work on the 1930s Sauchiehall St branch of M&S has exposed this lettering on the structural steelwork by P&W MacLellan
They had the Clutha Works in Kinning Park #glasgow
They had the Clutha Works in Kinning Park #glasgow
November 23, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Demolition work on the 1930s Sauchiehall St branch of M&S has exposed this lettering on the structural steelwork by P&W MacLellan
They had the Clutha Works in Kinning Park #glasgow
They had the Clutha Works in Kinning Park #glasgow
The Construction Historian is glad to report that the Bibliography is now settled into its new home and online properly.
www.constructionhistorybibliography.org
www.constructionhistorybibliography.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:54 PM
The Construction Historian is glad to report that the Bibliography is now settled into its new home and online properly.
www.constructionhistorybibliography.org
www.constructionhistorybibliography.org
Reposted by Construction History Society
Finally the quintessential book on Scottish Brutalism has arrived!
Our Book of the Week is Brutal Scotland by Simon Phipps (@new-brutalism.bsky.social)
Lavishly illustrated in monochrome, it reveals the stark beauty of these monumental buildings.
Copies available in store and online.
Our Book of the Week is Brutal Scotland by Simon Phipps (@new-brutalism.bsky.social)
Lavishly illustrated in monochrome, it reveals the stark beauty of these monumental buildings.
Copies available in store and online.
November 17, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Finally the quintessential book on Scottish Brutalism has arrived!
Our Book of the Week is Brutal Scotland by Simon Phipps (@new-brutalism.bsky.social)
Lavishly illustrated in monochrome, it reveals the stark beauty of these monumental buildings.
Copies available in store and online.
Our Book of the Week is Brutal Scotland by Simon Phipps (@new-brutalism.bsky.social)
Lavishly illustrated in monochrome, it reveals the stark beauty of these monumental buildings.
Copies available in store and online.
Reposted by Construction History Society
I do love historic tiles and these are exquisite! Click on the images for full effect ...
A day off, exploring Istanbul. Sun shone. Am most taken by these dog prints in a tile from c. 1650 in the Topkapi palace. And the tiles! And the mother of pearl inlays!
November 15, 2025 at 3:36 PM
I do love historic tiles and these are exquisite! Click on the images for full effect ...
Reposted by Construction History Society
Future archaeologists will be able to date concrete structures from the tree rings from the formwork
November 11, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Future archaeologists will be able to date concrete structures from the tree rings from the formwork
Reposted by Construction History Society
A last look at the uncovering Roman Carlisle trenches as the dig ended today. After recording the #archaeology will be backfilled to preserve it #HadriansWall #History
November 10, 2025 at 12:04 AM
A last look at the uncovering Roman Carlisle trenches as the dig ended today. After recording the #archaeology will be backfilled to preserve it #HadriansWall #History
Reposted by Construction History Society
I look at the hod empty and my back hurts.
November 10, 2025 at 5:55 PM
I look at the hod empty and my back hurts.
Reposted by Construction History Society
The Roman aqueduct calculation code was crashing, so I sacrificed a rabbit to Minerva and now it runs fine
November 10, 2025 at 9:19 AM
The Roman aqueduct calculation code was crashing, so I sacrificed a rabbit to Minerva and now it runs fine
Reposted by Construction History Society
Starting my Roman aqueducts presentation "Friends, colleagues, economists: I come here to discuss the Roman Empire's provision of hydraulic infrastructure. Not to praise it. The evils which Empires visit on their subjects are often remembered, the public goods which they provide are interred with.."
November 10, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Starting my Roman aqueducts presentation "Friends, colleagues, economists: I come here to discuss the Roman Empire's provision of hydraulic infrastructure. Not to praise it. The evils which Empires visit on their subjects are often remembered, the public goods which they provide are interred with.."
Reposted by Construction History Society
Sun, Showers and rainbows over the trenches at the Uncovering Roman #Carlisle excavation #Archaeology
October 30, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Sun, Showers and rainbows over the trenches at the Uncovering Roman #Carlisle excavation #Archaeology
Reposted by Construction History Society
So happy to see this article out!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/TYFU3...
In this ethnography of the relationship between archaeologists and construction, we explore how both disciplines communicate, and how concepts such as risk, incommensurability, uncertainty and translation..
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/TYFU3...
In this ethnography of the relationship between archaeologists and construction, we explore how both disciplines communicate, and how concepts such as risk, incommensurability, uncertainty and translation..
www.tandfonline.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:08 AM
So happy to see this article out!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/TYFU3...
In this ethnography of the relationship between archaeologists and construction, we explore how both disciplines communicate, and how concepts such as risk, incommensurability, uncertainty and translation..
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/TYFU3...
In this ethnography of the relationship between archaeologists and construction, we explore how both disciplines communicate, and how concepts such as risk, incommensurability, uncertainty and translation..
Reposted by Construction History Society
Cruck frame barn, dated c 1550, from Llanerch Banna (Flint) and now at St Fagans National Museum of History.
Such curved timbers known as crucks will feature a fair bit in my upcoming online talk on 25 Nov, Dating Ancient Buildings.
Booking is now open.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dating-anc...
Such curved timbers known as crucks will feature a fair bit in my upcoming online talk on 25 Nov, Dating Ancient Buildings.
Booking is now open.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dating-anc...
October 29, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Cruck frame barn, dated c 1550, from Llanerch Banna (Flint) and now at St Fagans National Museum of History.
Such curved timbers known as crucks will feature a fair bit in my upcoming online talk on 25 Nov, Dating Ancient Buildings.
Booking is now open.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dating-anc...
Such curved timbers known as crucks will feature a fair bit in my upcoming online talk on 25 Nov, Dating Ancient Buildings.
Booking is now open.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dating-anc...
Reposted by Construction History Society
🚨 New on Substack: Brighton built a lot of fine council housing between the wars but could it make it affordable to the working class? My post on Brighton’s Interwar Council Housing Estates: ‘Housewives with empty larders’
municipaldreams.substack.com/p/brightons-...
municipaldreams.substack.com/p/brightons-...
Brighton’s Interwar Council Housing Estates: ‘Housewives with empty larders’
In 1921, Brighton was the second most densely populated county borough in the country after West Ham and, as a long-established town, a good deal of its housing was in worse condition than that of the...
municipaldreams.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:11 AM
🚨 New on Substack: Brighton built a lot of fine council housing between the wars but could it make it affordable to the working class? My post on Brighton’s Interwar Council Housing Estates: ‘Housewives with empty larders’
municipaldreams.substack.com/p/brightons-...
municipaldreams.substack.com/p/brightons-...
Reposted by Construction History Society
NEW The Darband Wall, modern Uzbekistan, marked the presumed border between the historic regions of Bactria and Sogdiana. New radiocarbon dates suggest construction 50 years earlier than believed, rewriting our understanding of Classical Central Asia.
🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
🏺 #Archaeology
🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
🏺 #Archaeology
October 29, 2025 at 8:13 AM
NEW The Darband Wall, modern Uzbekistan, marked the presumed border between the historic regions of Bactria and Sogdiana. New radiocarbon dates suggest construction 50 years earlier than believed, rewriting our understanding of Classical Central Asia.
🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
🏺 #Archaeology
🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
🏺 #Archaeology
Reposted by Construction History Society
Read the original research in Antiquity 🆓 'MOWAA Archaeology Project: enhancing understanding of Benin City’s historic urban development and heritage through pre-construction archaeology'
doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
16/16
🧵
doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
16/16
🧵
doi.org
October 30, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Read the original research in Antiquity 🆓 'MOWAA Archaeology Project: enhancing understanding of Benin City’s historic urban development and heritage through pre-construction archaeology'
doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
16/16
🧵
doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
16/16
🧵
Reposted by Construction History Society
Haddon Hall are interpreting burn marks as apotropaic rather than accidents & the Trip to Jerusalem changed the website to reflect its real history! Pleased that the Mythbusting book is doing its job! Now, we just need Colchester Castle to stop with the spiral stairs myth...
October 26, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Haddon Hall are interpreting burn marks as apotropaic rather than accidents & the Trip to Jerusalem changed the website to reflect its real history! Pleased that the Mythbusting book is doing its job! Now, we just need Colchester Castle to stop with the spiral stairs myth...
Reposted by Construction History Society
Over on our blog, Royal Society Archive Cataloguer Vida Milovanovic discovers a fascinating connection between the design of lighthouses and the Royal Society: #HistoryOfScience https://royalsociety.org/blog/2025/10/smeatons-beacons/
Smeaton's beacons | Royal Society
Vida Milovanovic discovers a fascinating connection between lighthouses and the Royal Society.
royalsociety.org
October 25, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Over on our blog, Royal Society Archive Cataloguer Vida Milovanovic discovers a fascinating connection between the design of lighthouses and the Royal Society: #HistoryOfScience https://royalsociety.org/blog/2025/10/smeatons-beacons/