Number 6 And Attached Railings

NUMBER 6 AND ATTACHED RAILINGS

This is a terraced house with a purpose-built meeting hall, originally constructed around 1713 and substantially altered in the 18th century. Further modifications occurred around 1914 when F.W. Troup made additions and alterations for the Art-Workers' Guild, of which it now serves as headquarters. The exterior is characterised by darkened multi-coloured stock brick, showing evidence of tuck pointing, topped by a slated mansard roof with dormers.

The building presents four storeys, an attic and a basement, with a three-window facade. A wooden doorcase features sunk panels to pilasters supporting an entablature with a dentil cornice, a rectangular patterned fanlight, and a panelled door, the threshold displaying the Art-Workers' Guild monogram in white marble. Gauged red brick flat arches frame recessed sash windows. A plain stucco band runs along the first floor, while a stone cornice sits above the third. A stone-capped parapet completes the exterior, alongside an original lead rainwater head and pipe. The rear elevation retains its original appearance, with elongated windows.

The interior retains the original floor plan, displaying fielded panelling, six-panel doors, moulded cornices, dado rails, fireplaces, and a grand staircase with twisted balusters and column newels. A notable feature is the entrance hall with two arch-headed niches and a cornice of thick mouldings. A rear projecting wing, likely originally used as withdrawing rooms, showcases elegant decorative woodwork. The first floor front room features Regency plasterwork. A flat top storey, designed by F.W. Troup, incorporates a fireplace and kitchen cabinets.

The meeting hall is a single-story structure with a red brick entrance. Above the doorway stands a segmental-arched stone aedicule containing a decorative lead plaque with the gilded initials “AWG” set within gilded oak leaf sprays, accompanied by the date 1914. Inside the hall, panelled walls are complemented by a low picture rail, a broad frieze, and oval architraved niches containing busts of Guild masters by Frampton, Bayes, and W.S. Frith. A large hipped roof light, incorporating dormers, illuminates the space, supported by deep ceiling beams and a deep dentil cornice. A Bolection-moulded oak chimney-piece completes the hall's features.

Attached cast-iron railings, complete with torch flambe finials, define the area. Historic occupants included Martin Folkes, a prominent figure in the Royal Society and Society of Antiquaries, who resided at No.6 until 1763, and No.7 until 1765. During the 19th century, the building was partially used for commercial purposes, housing Robert Ackermann's lithograph and colour-printing business. In 1913, the lease was purchased by the Art-Workers’ Guild, a society founded in 1884 by pupils of Norman Shaw, including Gerald Horsley and Mervyn Macartney.