British Aerospace Offices

The following building shall be added to the list:-

TL 20 NW HATFIELD COMET WAY

8/10001 British Aerospace Offices

GV II

Offices. 1934 by Geoffrey Monro for the de Havilland Aviation Company. White painted reinforced concrete; flat roof concealed behind parapet. Plan: Entrance hall and stairwell in raised central block recessed at the front and projecting at the rear, flanked by lower 2-storey office ranges with axial corridors. International Modern/Moderne style. Exterior: 2 storeys. Symmetrical SE front with raised centre block recessed with superimposed pilasters clasping the corners with reeding at top, alternate reeding and blocks to recessed parapet and 3-light first floor window with reeded frieze over wide doorway with glazed green tile architrave and cantilevered concrete canopy. Long flanking 2-storey wings with horizontal bands of metal frame windows with glazed green-tile piers and surrounds, the windows curved back to central block which has flight of steps and curved and stepped dwarf walls to left and right. Similar horizontal window bands at either end and at rear. The centre of rear elevation projects and has later bridge connecting the offices to the building at the rear across the road. Interior: Stone- clad hall and stairwell, the hall with reeded frieze and cornice, the open-well stairs with unpierced balustrade with marble handrail. Similar marble rail to stone-clad dado on landing, stone doorway architraves and plaque with roll of-honour. Panelled offices with moulded chimneypieces and axial corridors in wings, ground floor with metal and glass partitions. Note: These were the offices of the de Havilland Aviation Company and of Sir Geoffrey de Havilland, Frank Hearle and Alan Butler, where many famous aeroplanes were designed including the Tiger Moth, Dragonfly, Mosquito, Vampire and Comet.

Listing NGR: TL2171708972