in the 1950s and 1960s, watford was the home of the british designer furniture manufacturer hille. at their premises on st albans road, designed by the modernist architect ernő goldfinger, the designer robin day conceived the polypropylene stacking chair, now recognised as a classic of modern design. although hille left the area in 1983, the listed goldfinger building still stands on st albans road. mod culture found expression through clubs such as the ace of herts in the 1960s.