the modernist

the modernist exhibitions / events / publishing about 20th century modernism, architecture and design the modernist is...

a magazine - published quarterly since 2011.

"the modernist offers unique perspectives on 20th-century architecture and design. With its pages full of bus stops, B-roads and concrete — you won’t find any swaying fields of wheat here. But don’t be fooled by all the municipal mundanity; warm and endearingly nerdy, this is an unconventional but nonetheless idyllic picture of Britain. In these strange times, there is solace to be found in the qu

iet fanaticism of this magazine." (Stack Magazines)

a shop – not just on-line but in in real life too. Our bricks and mortar shop opened in May 2019 in central Manchester and is the only bookshop in Manchester specialising in architecture and design. Our focus is modernist architecture, graphics, typography, transport, furniture and product design. Alongside the books we have a specially selected range of modernist products from cushions to mugs and from chocolate to shiny spoons. It’s also with our office upstairs, our library, gallery and event space holding regular exhibitions. a publisher – our publishing arm was established in 2011 with the modernist magazine. It has now developed into a small press, publishing limited editions about 20th century architecture and design. All current publications are available. part of the modernist society which we originally founded as The Manchester Modernist Society in 2009 as a creative community, its social wing is its ‘Chapters’ all organising tours, lectures and gatherings. There are currently Chapters in Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Birmingham Leeds and Swansea. The Modernist Society is dedicated to celebrating and engaging people with twentieth century architecture and design, through publishing, events, exhibitions and creative collaborations.

Back in stock due to unprecedented demand. Missed out first time? Well is back and available to buy now. Volume2 is alr...
19/04/2025

Back in stock due to unprecedented demand.
Missed out first time? Well is back and available to buy now. Volume2 is already in the planning stage but in the meantime satisfy that car/ architecture urge with Volume 1

the modernist presents - Architectural City Guide - Sheffield : pre order yours now!35 buildings spanning nearly 100 yea...
18/04/2025

the modernist presents - Architectural City Guide - Sheffield : pre order yours now!

35 buildings spanning nearly 100 years - from Classical Modernism to Post Modernism with some healthy doses of Brutalism.

From fire stations to electricity sub stations, cinemas to housing - Sheffield has it all.
https://buff.ly/1uMSfxR

Thank you to Stephen Hodder for showing us some of the work of tonight from the last 25 years, and thank you to all of ...
17/04/2025

Thank you to Stephen Hodder for showing us some of the work of tonight from the last 25 years, and thank you to all of you that joined us in what seemed a particularly noisy city centre this evening.

Our next contemporary architecture walk will be with Roger Stephenson.. keep an eye on our events page for details.

It's mini ... but mighty...Modernist Churches of ScotlandBy Matthew DransfieldA pocket sized guide.40 churches built bet...
17/04/2025

It's mini ... but mighty...

Modernist Churches of Scotland

By Matthew Dransfield

A pocket sized guide.

40 churches built between 1950 and 1972.

"Modernist churches in Scotland, in fact churches in the Central Belt...

I am not religious, an architect, or a photographer, but I have always been interested in the built environment. My local church, designed by Sir Basil Spence, stood out from the other buildings in the village.

The churches featured in this book are not a definitive list. Some have been visited specifically, which often led me to others. Notable architectural firms during the post-war period were prolific and synonymous with churches of that time and I’ve tracked a few of them down.

Many are relatively hidden on housing estates or schemes, visible mainly to the congregation and the local community.

I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I have enjoyed compiling this." Matthew Dransfield

£9.00

A6, 105mm x 148mm

86 pages

colour and b&w

Text & Photography by Matthew Dransfield

Design & Layout by Paige Brierley

Matthew Dransfield runs the Instagram account

Yesterday we were reunited with an old friend... those of you who have followed us for a long time might remember our po...
12/04/2025

Yesterday we were reunited with an old friend... those of you who have followed us for a long time might remember our pop up shop on Chapel Street in Salford (picture 3 from 2011).

The letters used in the signage were salvaged from the 'Manchester Unity of Oddfellows ' building by artist Andrea Booker.

We have now been charged with their safekeeping. More on this later ...

11/04/2025

Modernist Churches of Scotland.

A pocket sized guide to 40 modernist churches accross the central belt of Scotland. Words and pictures by Matthew Dransfield.

Available here - £9.00 https://buff.ly/R596JSA

10/04/2025

the modernist is delighted to be represented at the first-ever Kyiv Art Book Fair! This weekend.

📅 11-13 April
📍 Pavilion 13
🔗 kabf.love

Friday 5pm - 9pm
Saturday 11am - 9pm
Sunday 11am - 8pm

💙💛

09/04/2025

the modernist shop.
architecture
design
modernism

58 port street, manchester
m1 2eq
https://buff.ly/ttV1gyj

The mooching season has begun and we have a trio of tours on the cards for your delight in the coming weeks.Southport - ...
01/04/2025

The mooching season has begun and we have a trio of tours on the cards for your delight in the coming weeks.

Southport - 12.04.35, with master moocher Steve Marland, including a colossal former Co-op and a Viking themed crazy golf course.

Manchester - 17 04.25, join RIBA Stirling prize winner and former president of RIBA, Stephen Hodder on a journey around some of Hodder + Partners key Manchester buildings.

Halifax - 26.04.25, more mooching with Steve Marland, this time around Halifax, featuring the behemoth Halifax Building Society HQ. This tour is in collaboration with

See links in bio.

Yesterday we said goodbye to our good friend David Dunnico. He was both a personal friend and friend of the modernist - ...
29/03/2025

Yesterday we said goodbye to our good friend David Dunnico. He was both a personal friend and friend of the modernist - having contributed to the magazine several times over the years. His most recent article was just a couple of issues ago in NORTH where he wrote about the famous Ena Sharples balcony photograph. He was a very nice man and he will be very much missed.

New in!Greetings cards by Scout Editions.Available in our shop and on-line.
29/03/2025

New in!

Greetings cards by Scout Editions.

Available in our shop and on-line.

In Chester today at the glorious to introduce a screening of E.1027 - Eileen Gray and the House By The Sea - written an...
24/03/2025

In Chester today at the glorious to introduce a screening of E.1027 - Eileen Gray and the House By The Sea - written and directed by
It’s a beautiful film and I think there are still a few tickets left so if you are in the area it’s definitely worth a night out.

New exhibition.Sparkling pictures big as life : 35mm slides and the Design Council Slide Collection from the Manchester ...
21/03/2025

New exhibition.
Sparkling pictures big as life :
35mm slides and the Design Council Slide Collection from the Manchester School of Art Slide Library.

22.02.25-26.04.25

at the modernist
58 Port Street, Manchester M1 2EQ
open 11am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday

https://buff.ly/UDuOCQf

Issue 53, OBJECT.Thank you once again to all our contributors, the writers and photographers who provide their work free...
15/03/2025

Issue 53, OBJECT.

Thank you once again to all our contributors, the writers and photographers who provide their work free of charge in order to bring the modernist magazine to life.

Over 53 issues, hundreds of people have contributed their ideas, words and pictures, and we wouldn't be here without you.

Big thanks also to Trevor, Lily and Craig whose design work never fails to impress us.

So, this is OBJECT. We hope you enjoy.

For mini modernists (and grown up modernists) Haus Tiles by Block DESIGN.Get building..Available now from our shop and ...
11/03/2025

For mini modernists (and grown up modernists) Haus Tiles by Block DESIGN.

Get building..

Available now from our shop and we shop.

Manchester's brutalist Hollaway Wall is under threat.Developers plan to cut pathways through this Grade II listed sculpt...
05/03/2025

Manchester's brutalist Hollaway Wall is under threat.

Developers plan to cut pathways through this Grade II listed sculpture.

Found out more on our blog page - link in bio.

And have your say on the developers public consultation.

(Consultation ends Sunday 9th March).

Address

58 Port Street
Manchester
M12EQ

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 5pm
Wednesday 11am - 5pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

01612358469

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when the modernist posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to the modernist:

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Our Story

the modernist magazine is a quarterly printed publication about 20th century modernist architecture and design. Published in the North of England and now spreading its tentacles across the world.

We’ve hand picked a team of experts, and dilettantes alike, to bring you news, reviews, musings and delightful titbits about modernist architecture and design. So, if you love 20th century architecture and you revel in the smell and feel of ink and paper, the modernist magazine is just the ticket. So, where can we get hold of a copy? You can buy on-line with a click here http://www.the-modernist.org/shop or you can pop down the shops... http://www.the-modernist.org/stockists/