A temporary exhibition recently launched at Eastside Visitor Centre explores the industrial heritage of Newtownards Road.
EastSide Partnership and Rachel O’Grady of OGU Architects launched the display, which includes information on the construction of the pavilion and its inspiration: the dedicated factory workers of East Belfast.
The Built:East pavilion, located outside the EastSide Visitor Centre was inspired by the Belfast Truss roof and the city’s industrial heritage.
Lisa Rea Currie, Heritage Officer for EastSide Partnership, said: "Industrial heritage is a massively important part of the psyche of East Belfast. So to have a building that represents that in the area is really special."
Designed by OGU Architects and Donald McCrory Architects, Built:East was the winner of the 2017 RSUA/JP Corry Belfast Flare Design Competition which challenged early career architects to create a “structure of beauty, intrigue and inspiration - a place and space that both locals and visitors will want to experience.”
Activities under the pavilion such as live music and craft workshops have been enjoyed by the local community since its erection in July 2019.
EastSide Partnership has worked with local people to collect oral histories of their experience working in factories in east Belfast and some of these were included in the exhibition.
Peggy Bowden, ex-ropeworks employee, shared her anecdotes with the centre.
On days she wanted a day off Peggy recalls 'accidentally' missing the whistle in the morning to get locked out of the gates so instead, she could go shopping with her friends.
Speaking on the importance of remembering stories such as her own, she said: "Its very important to keep all of this alive and make people understand how far we've come."
For any further information on the EastSide Partnership or EastSide Visitor centre visit: www.eastsidepartnership.com
Keep up-to-date with all the very latest news, what's on, sport and everything else in Belfast and beyond with the Belfast Live app.
Only select news that interests you by picking the topics you want to display on the app's homepage. Plus, our enhanced user experience includes live blogs, video, interactive maps and slick picture galleries. Download it now and get involved .
Click here to get it from the App Store or here for Google Play .
