{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1042211"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1042211/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2016JD7042/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2016JD7042/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2016JD7042","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1042211","accessionNumber":"E.477-1998","objectType":"Architectural model","titles":[{"title":"Architectural model for Camden Town Sainsburys","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"This supermarket was designed by architectural practice, Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners as part of the Grand Union Complex built in 1986-88. The scheme was commissioned by Sainsbury’s to transform a former industrial site in Camden Town, London. The buildings are examples of High Tech architecture in an urban setting. This style, influenced by engineering and construction emerged in the late 1960s and was characterised by its focus on making visible the construction techniques used, rather than hiding them away. The building’s steel frame is clad in glass and aluminium panels and the architects used a coating developed for military applications to fireproof the structural frame. This innovation enabled the steel to be left exposed on a busy road and is an example of technological transfer, a signature of the High Tech style. The curved ceiling and roof trusses inside were inspired by traditional market halls.\r\n\r\nIn 2019 the supermarket was listed at Grade II by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the advice of Historic England and was the first purpose-built supermarket to be added to the National Heritage List for England. The development includes a terrace of houses facing the canal which was also listed at Grade II.\r\n","physicalDescription":"Model of Camden Town Sainsburys. The model is in a clear perpex box and mounted on a base. The model is light grey in colour and shows the new Sainsburys building and part sof the surrounding landscape. ","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Grimshaw, Nicholas (Sir)","id":"C6307"},"association":{"text":"architect","id":"AAT24987"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Grimshaw Architects","id":"AUTH341008"},"association":{"text":"architects","id":"AAT24987"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"perspex","id":"AAT14435"},{"text":"wood","id":"AAT11914"},{"text":"glue","id":"AAT14815"},{"text":"card","id":"x30344"},{"text":"paint","id":"AAT15029"}],"techniques":[{"text":"","id":""},{"text":"glued","id":"AAT53012"},{"text":"painted","id":"x30138"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Model built out of wood and card, glued and painted, then put in a perspex box with a base. Difficult to decipher all construction methods as model is encased in perspex box. ","categories":[{"text":"Architecture","id":"THES48993"},{"text":"Architectural models","id":"THES274433"},{"text":"Urbanism","id":"THES270076"}],"styles":[{"text":"20th century","id":"x36076"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"PDP","id":"THES48595"},"images":["2016JD7042"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES341435"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"models (representations)","id":"AAT47753"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"London","id":"x28980"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1980s","earliest":"1980-01-01","latest":"1989-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Nicholas Grimshaw and Partners","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"33","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"91.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"111","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"The Camden Town Sainsburys was provocative at its opening at remains controversial in the Camden landscape today. ","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Architectural model for Camden Town Sainsburys, by Nicholas Grimshaw and Partners","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"Model","id":"THES48867"},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["E.477-1998"],"accessionNumberNum":"477","accessionNumberPrefix":"E","accessionYear":1998,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-05-15","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-30","availableToBook":true}}