Documents

There are no additional online documents for this record.

Summary

Description

Cullen, Lochhead and Brown, 1959 (dated). Single storey, church-form, purpose built crematorium in Scandinavian Modernist style with good detailing. 5-bay loggia to entrance front (E). Rectangular-plan chimney and low, flat-roofed buildings to S. Red and yellow brick with grey concrete dressings. 3 full-height windows to W. Steps from W lead to landscaped memorial garden.

E (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: asymmetrical. 3 shallow steps to 5-bay loggia with wide, pylonesque openings. To right outer bay, advanced grey concrete similarly pylonesque shaped porch-cochere with small square openings design. Metal panel to right with Greenock insignia and 1959 inscription. To left, slightly advanced and raised square-plan, flat-roofed Memorial Chapel with large, deeply set full-height square 15-pane window.

Variety of fenestration. Some small fixed-light windows. Large 15-pane window to Memorial Chapel. 3 large 9-pane full-height windows to W. Grey slate. Cast iron rainwater goods. Copper piended platform roof to chimney.

INTERIOR: original decorative scheme intact with good detailing. Main chapel: segmental arched ceiling with gallery to N. Strip clerestory-type windows to E. Timber doors at entrance with Greek Cross-style detail. Blue, black and cream chequerboard pattern floor tiles, echoed in catafalque. Shallow, curved black marble steps to sanctuary area. Timber pews, pulpit and lectern. 5-light chandeliers with hour-glass shaped lampshades.

Pulley mechanism retained.

Statement of Special Interest

Greenock Crematorium is a well-designed, building in the Scandinavian Modernist style. Quintessentially 1950s in style, it is unusual in being constructed of red brick and is further distinguished by the attention to detail which is evident throughout the building. Of particular note is the striking 5-bay flat-roofed loggia to the entrance front with its pylonesque openings and the tall broad chimney with its copper cap. Internally, the building had changed remarkably little since construction. It is understood that the paint scheme of cream, pale blue and turquoise has been maintained since its inception. As with the exterior there is attention to detail, from the chequerboard floor and 'sands of time' hourglass light fittings. The Crematorium was built in 1959 on the site of Caddle Hill House of which the Summerhouse Tempietto is the only remaining structure (see separate listing).

References

Bibliography

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.