Workshop (Also That Part Included In No.25)

Workshop. Constructed around 1860, this workshop represents an unusual survival and an interesting example of mid-19th century architecture. It is timber-framed with brick gable ends, and clad in vertical weatherboarding. The roof is pantiled with brick end stacks.

The west elevation, arranged over two storeys and six bays, features a brick plinth and full-height principal studs that define the bays. Straight-headed carriage openings are present in the first and fifth bays; the former has been converted into a window. Each bay is clad in vertical weatherboarding and punctuated by a single seven-light, vertically-mullioned window on each floor. These windows have lap glazing. The north and south gable ends both feature a central stack, with the southern stack partially external. The rear (east) elevation has a five-window range, plus a central external staircase leading to a first-floor entrance with a six-panelled door. The weatherboarding continues on this elevation, and the fenestration is a mix of lap-glazed windows, two and three-light casements, two unhorned six-over-six sashes, and one horizontally-sliding sash.

The south carriageway includes one two-light cross-casement in each of the north and south walls, a four-panelled door facing south, and a vertically-boarded plank door facing north.

Internally, to the north of the open carriageway is a large workshop space with bridging beams and joists. A segmentally-headed fireplace is located in the north gable. The first floor is subdivided into smaller rooms under the tie beams. The roof structure comprises five bays of queen-post trusses on tie beams, supported by aisle posts, with king posts between the collars and the ridge piece. There are two tiers of through purlins.

This workshop is one of the most complete examples of its type in the eastern counties, and retains a substantial amount of original fabric. The incorporation of the south bay into number 25 Oakfield Road represents the main alteration. The workshop has group value with numbers 25 and 27 Oakfield Road.