As the fight to save Preston Bus Station rages on more people have sought creative inspiration from Preston’s iconic building. Dorothy, a design agency based in Manchester, have created a series of illustrated prints celebrating the beauty of their favourite brutalist buildings and structures from the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. The Lost Destination series includes  Forton Services, Spaghetti Junction and Preston Bus Station. Lisa McManus contacted the self-confessed concrete huggers to find out more.

Who are Dorothy and where are you based?

We are based in Manchester. We produce conceptual prints, products and artworks which we sell and exhibit internationally.

What do you love about post-war architecture?

The ‘Lost Destination’ series of prints was a chance for us to indulge in our love of post war architecture and celebrate what we think (but my mum would disagree) are stunning buildings. We think there’s something rather poignant about how these buildings once symbolised a ‘brave new world’ only to be dismissed or demolished by the future they looked to.

We wanted to include buildings which were once destinations in their own right, but whose greatness overtime has largely been forgotten, in some cases demolished or in the case of Spaghetti Junction and Preston Bus Station immersed into the everyday.

Some people in the city of Preston are campaigning against it being demolished. What are your thoughts?

The sad thing is that we could have chosen numerous brutalist projects for the series of prints so the final selection was really based on our own personal favourites…illustrating Preston Bus Station seemed to make perfect sense. We’re based in Manchester so are aware of the high profile campaign to save it and wanted to comment on that.

Where can people buy the print?

Prints are available for £35 plus P&P from www.wearedorothy.com/shop

Image : Lost Destination copyright Dorothy