Luma Tower
Encyclopedia
The Luma Tower is a residential building and former factory in the Greater Govan
area of Glasgow
, Scotland
. It is famous as one of the best preserved examples of Art Deco
architecture in the city. It has been protected as a category B listed building since 1988.
, the building was constructed as a light bulb factory as a joint venture by a Swedish
co-operative, and the British Luma Co-Operative Lamp company in 1938
, its distinctive feature is the protruding tower (resembling an airport control tower
) which was originally used to test light bulbs beyond their design voltage for longevity. The building was part of the massive Sheildhall Manufacturing Complex that used to stand in the area, and its completion was also intended as a symbol of the Empire Exhibition
of that year which was held in nearby Bellahouston Park
.
Following the ending of light bulb manufacture, the building was sold and amongst other uses was used as a caravan
showroom, before finally falling into dereliction in the 1980s.
In 1993, a local housing association acquired the decaying building amid fears it would be demolished , and began the process of it restoring it and converted into affordable housing. In the end, forty-three new apartments were created, with a further twelve in a creative reproduction of the original building's style to the rear. The tower element is now illuminated with blue neon lighting and is a noticeable landmark around Govan, and it can be clearly seen from the westbound carriageway of the M8 motorway
between Junctions 24 and 25.
Govan
Govan is a district and former burgh now part of southwest City of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated west of Glasgow city centre, on the south bank of the River Clyde, opposite the mouth of the River Kelvin and the district of Partick....
area of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is famous as one of the best preserved examples of Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
architecture in the city. It has been protected as a category B listed building since 1988.
History
Located in the western suburb of LinthouseLinthouse
Linthouse is a district in the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is situated south of the River Clyde. It is immediately west of Govan, and although it is often referred to locally as 'Govan' due to its closeness, it is in fact a distinct area .Linthouse was home to the shipbuilder...
, the building was constructed as a light bulb factory as a joint venture by a Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
co-operative, and the British Luma Co-Operative Lamp company in 1938
, its distinctive feature is the protruding tower (resembling an airport control tower
Control tower
A control tower, or more specifically an Air Traffic Control Tower , is the name of the airport building from which the air traffic control unit controls the movement of aircraft on and around the airport. Control towers are also used to control the traffic for other forms of transportation such...
) which was originally used to test light bulbs beyond their design voltage for longevity. The building was part of the massive Sheildhall Manufacturing Complex that used to stand in the area, and its completion was also intended as a symbol of the Empire Exhibition
Empire Exhibition, Scotland 1938
Empire Exhibition, Scotland 1938 was an international exposition held at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow, from May to December 1938....
of that year which was held in nearby Bellahouston Park
Bellahouston Park
Bellahouston Park is a public park in the South Side of Glasgow, Scotland, between the areas of Mosspark, Craigton, Ibrox, and Dumbreck, covering an area of . It is based around Ibrox hill in the centre, with commanding views over most of the city, exceptions being views to the east that are...
.
Following the ending of light bulb manufacture, the building was sold and amongst other uses was used as a caravan
Travel trailer
A travel trailer or caravan is towed behind a road vehicle to provide a place to sleep which is more comfortable and protected than a tent . It provides the means for people to have their own home on a journey or a vacation, without relying on a motel or hotel, and enables them to stay in places...
showroom, before finally falling into dereliction in the 1980s.
In 1993, a local housing association acquired the decaying building amid fears it would be demolished , and began the process of it restoring it and converted into affordable housing. In the end, forty-three new apartments were created, with a further twelve in a creative reproduction of the original building's style to the rear. The tower element is now illuminated with blue neon lighting and is a noticeable landmark around Govan, and it can be clearly seen from the westbound carriageway of the M8 motorway
M8 motorway
The M8 is the busiest motorway in Scotland and one of the busiest in the United Kingdom. It connects the country's two largest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and serves other large communities including Airdrie, Coatbridge, Greenock, Livingston and Paisley...
between Junctions 24 and 25.