Barrack Blocks

The barrack blocks at Manby Business Park were built between 1936 and 1937 and designed by A Bulloch, an architectural advisor to the Air Ministry's Directorate of Works and Buildings. They are constructed from cavity brick and feature interlocking tile roofs with parapetted hipped roofs and brick stacks.

The layout of the barrack blocks is identical, each featuring a central entrance hall flanked by non-commissioned officers' rooms and dormitory ranges, with a rear wing behind the entrance hall that includes ablutions and toilets. The blocks are arranged in two rows of three, facing east towards the former parade ground and west towards the hangars.

The exterior consists of three storeys, with all windows being wood sashes set in flush boxes, featuring brick voussoir heads and concrete sills. Each block has a front elevation with 13 windows, including 12-pane sashes, except for the outer bays which have 8-pane sashes. The central bay features an elongated bull's-eye window and a 4-pane sash above the central entrance, which has panelled double doors and a radial fanlight set in a semi-circular arch with rusticated quoins. The end returns have two windows each, with casements in the rear wings. The door surrounds are channelled with rustication, and the southeast and northwest blocks have porches, while a 1990s porch is present on the central block of the east-facing range.

The interiors have not been inspected, but some subdivisions have been made to accommodate current office uses.

These barracks are noted for their distinguished design by A Bulloch and are prominently located along the west side of the parade ground at this significant aviation site. The detailing is restrained, but the massing, spacing, and proportions are carefully considered in the neo-Georgian style that was popular at the time, influenced by the Royal Fine Arts Commission and architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. Manby is recognized as one of the most complete and architecturally unified post-1934 RAF stations, alongside Hullavington in Wiltshire, another Scheme A station from the Expansion Period of the RAF.