scheming be made to harmonise with each other. Thus a factory zone, and especially one where a large
number of factories have already been erected, should be of great interest to architects, inasmuch as a very modern problem of design is here presented for solu
tion. It will be obvious, of course, that the problem is merely presented and by no means solved. It may perhaps be suggested that the conditions necessary for its solution will not be fulfilled for many years to come. The task of introducing a measure of artistic agreement between neighbouring houses or shops is nowadays a very difficult one, and any attempt to introduce an element of architectural order in the
disposition of factories is not likely to be successful
until the organisation of industries has reached a far higher stage than it has as yet achieved.
This problem in all its aspects can best be studied by reference to an actual example. By far the best known and most successful factory zone in England is the Trafford Park Estate in Manchester. An
examination of some of the principal buildings recently erected on this estate is here undertaken with the object of ascertaining what bearing this formid
able industrial effort may have upon the science and art of civic design. It is noteworthy that while very
great care has been bestowed upon all practical THE MANCHESTER SHIP CANAL DOCK OFFICES, TRAFFORD ROAD, SALFORD.
Harry S. Fairhurst, F. R. I. B. A., Architect.