HAND-CAST IN SOLID CONCRETE WITH CARE BY SPACEPLAY
Hollings Building – Miniature Concrete Model
Hollings Building – Miniature Concrete Model
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Model 019_Hollings Building – Miniature Concrete Model
Hand-cast in fine concrete. Shaped by memory.
Some buildings carry a nickname that sticks for generations. The Hollings Building in Manchester is better known as the “Toast Rack”. A Brutalist icon whose curved concrete frame and vertical fins made it one of the city’s most recognisable post-war structures. Built as part of a domestic science college in the 1960s, it’s both sculptural and strange, full of character and clarity.
This model was all about the rhythm. Capturing the curvature, the blade-like ribs, the tension between weight and lightness. It took time to get the proportions feeling right at this scale. It had to feel tactile and architectural at once.
A small cast of one of Manchester’s most beloved Brutalist silhouettes.
Features
• Solid cast concrete, individually hand-poured
• 5cm high, 9cm wide, 3.5cm deep (approx)
• Laser-etched cork base with building name
• Comes gift-boxed for the perfect concrete gift
• Designed, modelled, and finished in the UK
Made for those who knew it from daily life, passed it on the bus, or just love its unapologetic design.
This model holds a piece of Manchester’s architectural story as a quirky, bold, and unforgettable object.
15% off when you order two or more models
EU customers: please order via my Etsy shop due to customs regulations
Building Information
Location: Manchester, UK
Architect: Leonard Cecil Howitt
Completed: 1960
Status: Grade II listed, currently disused
Brief Overview:
The Hollings Building, affectionately known as the “Toast Rack,” was built to house Manchester Metropolitan University’s Domestic Science College. Its unique curved frame and striking vertical elements made it a standout example of playful Brutalism. Though no longer in use, it remains one of the UK’s most distinctive modernist buildings.
Please note:
ALL EU ORDERS processed through our Etsy Store HERE
My concrete sculptures are individually hand cast in solid concrete. This means that each piece will have distinctive markings and minor blemishes due to air bubbles in the concrete. This is a natural part of the material and will mean that no two pieces are ever exactly the same.
Shipping:
I aim to make and ship your artwork within 30 days. If you require your order by a specific date before this please let me know.
Express shipping options at checkout for additional costs
Materials
Materials
My concete models are all made using a fine grain quickset cement with a polymer additive. This gives a good balance between strength and detail casting. However concrete is a brittle material so the models are delicate and can break with impact.
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Free standard shipping on all UK orders.
We aim to ship within 30 days but priority shipping can be purchased if you require faster delivery.
You can cancel or return you order at any time. Once I receive the product back undamaged you will receive a full refund (excluding postage).
I do not refund damaged parcels. If your order arrives damaged please contact me immediately to arrange for a replacement.
Care Instructions
Care Instructions
Concrete is a brittle material so these models are delicate objects. They can be chipped or cracked easily and need to be protected from knocks or falls.
My concrete mix is also not waterproof so you should protected your model from damp and moisture.
Extreme changes in temperature will cause expansion and contraction inside the concrete model potentially leading to cracks forming. Keep your model out of direct sunlight and away from heating systems.
