London's Coalhole Covers

This project was inspired by London’s coalhole covers, fascinating industrial design we completely overlook as we pound the city’s pavements.
Coalhole covers are metal plates set in the pavement to cover the entrances to coal cellars of Victorian and Edwardian houses.
They became largely obsolete in the UK with the introduction of the Clean Air Act and the move away from coal to oil and gas for home heating.
The plates are mainly circular about 12 to 14 inches in diameter and made of cast-iron, but sometimes they also contain concrete, glass or small ventilation holes.
Their bold utilitarian cover designs of raised geometric patterns, starbursts and elegant floral motifs ensured that pedestrians didn’t slip on them in wet and icy conditions.
So, the next time you are exploring London, instead of looking up, glance down and spot some of the city's most unique but often overlooked design.
London's streets might not be paved with gold, but they do have some precious cast iron.