Sir Malcolm Stewart Trust Homes, seven lamp standards and wrought-iron railings is a Grade II listed building in the Bedford local planning authority area, England. First listed on 9 March 2016. Bungalow. 3 related planning applications.
Sir Malcolm Stewart Trust Homes, seven lamp standards and wrought-iron railings
- WRENN ID
- lone-merlon-moss
- Grade
- II
- Local Planning Authority
- Bedford
- Country
- England
- Date first listed
- 9 March 2016
- Type
- Bungalow
- Source
- Historic England listing
Description
Sir Malcolm Stewart Trust Homes comprises 24 bungalows divided evenly between two courtyards, built in 1955–56 to the designs of Sir Albert Richardson working with his son-in-law, E A S Houfe.
The buildings are principally constructed of mass-produced red Fletton bricks manufactured by the neighbouring London Brick Company. These bricks are laid in stretcher bond and are unusually narrow, measuring two inches high by nine inches long, with a finely-grooved textured facing that gives a coarse, rustic appearance. The timber-framed sash windows are set under rubbed-brick voussoirs distinguished by the use of darker Williamson and Cliffe Stamford bricks. The roof is laid with clay plain tiles, with ridge tiles to the hipped corners. Oak doors with brass and copper fixtures feature throughout.
A wide central avenue divides the bungalows into two symmetrical, open-cornered courtyards, each formed of four distinct terrace sections arranged around central greens. These courtyards radiate out from the curve of the pre-existing road, The Crescent, to the north of the estate, tapering outwards to the south. The two terraced sections closest to The Crescent and on the outer edges front onto the street, whilst the remaining sections flanking the central avenue and those furthest south have entrances opening onto the courtyard.
The 24 homes comprise standardised single and double-occupancy bungalows. The eight single bungalows are grouped as pairs of four, positioned on the outer edges of both courtyards (far east and west), whilst the remaining sixteen double bungalows fill the remaining three sides of both courtyards. Each single bungalow consists of a central entrance lobby providing access to a separate toilet and bathroom, a bedroom to one side, and a living area to the other. A utility compartment and kitchen/diner are set against the far wall, divided by a centrally-placed side door. The double bungalows feature a central entrance opening to a long corridor giving access to a kitchen/diner, separate toilet and bathroom, two bedrooms and a living area. The kitchen/diner has a central side door leading to a small lobby flanked by a storeroom and utility area.
The two identical courtyards are designed in Neo-Georgian style with subtly distinct treatment to the separate terraces. Each terrace has a continuous roofline punctuated by brick chimneys, with double-hipped ends and a slight sweep down to overhanging eaves. Each bungalow's main door is of oak with fielded panels and a moulded and corniced door surround, fitted with an affixed house number and door knocker specifically designed by Richardson. On the outer terraces, doors have margin windows inset within the upper portions of the surround.
The front doors divide 6/6 sash windows—either five or six to each elevation of the double bungalows and two or three to the single types. The rear elevations are generally plainer, occupied by 6/6 sash windows interrupted by passageway entrances between separate bungalows, marked out by flanking brick piers and gauged relieving brick arches above. The southernmost pair of terraces feature canted bays to the rear with sash windows and margin lights, these with cornice and moulded details to the mullions. The end sections of each terrace have central, part-glazed doors flanked by brick piers and set under gauged brick arches.
Interior inspection was limited to number 21, a single-bedroom type now used as the Bursar's office. Interiors were of standard design. Many homes apparently retain their original room arrangements and certain fittings, including internal panelled doors with brass fixtures, picture rails, and fireplaces. The bedroom features a small and simple fireplace; the living room has a larger type with timber surround featuring tiles with flying duck designs. Fireplaces are now blocked with modern heaters fitted. Where original fittings survive, these contribute to the special interest.
Seven original lampstandards designed by Richardson occupy the open corners of each courtyard except that adjacent to numbers 13 and 24. These consist of a glazed copper lamp case set on a tapering timber post and concrete base. Simple wrought-iron railings and hard-standings, including steps up to the central greens, are original work in the main, though access ramps, new steps, railings and low-set brick walls have been added in certain areas, notably in the south-east corner between numbers 20 and 21.
Detailed Attributes
Matched applications, energy data and sale records are assembled automatically and may contain errors. Flag incorrect data.