Ministry Of Defence Building Numbers L176 (Boiler House) And L177

ROYAL GUNPOWDER FACTORY TL3700 3/10017 MOD Building Nos L176 (Boiler House) and L177 GV II*

Boiler House. 1857. English bond yellow brick with central skylight to hipped slate roof. Rectangular plan. One storey, of 6 x 3 bays. Chamfered brick plinth and dentil cornice; paired brick corner pilasters, the east and west elevations articulated by pilasters into 3 bays of 2:2:2-fenestration. Segmental gauged red brick arches over C20 windows to west elevation, originally sashed and with rectangular blind panels below. Similar arches over blind windows to rear (east), 3 blind windows to north (with mid C20 inserted entry) and over 2 cast-iron windows to south flanking mid C20 sliding double doors, all having radiating glazing bars to heads of arches. Lean-to roof to Dynamo House of 1902 (L177) added to centre of east elevation: built of brick with slate roof. Interior: Iron roof trusses with decorative cast-iron compression members. Built at the same time as Building L168 (qv), the Engine House and Mechanic's Shop building, in order to provide power for the earliest of the steam-powered incorporating mills on the site (which has been demolished). It originally had a chimney to its north-east end. The Dynamo House probably signifies a change from steam to electric power, when the incorporating mill's function was changed to cordite reeling. (RCHME report, 1993).

Listing NGR: TL3773401026