Colbyfield

No. 11 Colbyfield is a house, built between 1861 and 1862 by Francis Ganmer Penrose for his own residence. The house is constructed of variegated brick, stone, and pebble aggregate-faced concrete blocks, creating a polychromatic effect with alternating courses of brick and single courses of stone. Stone quoins and dressings are also present, topped by a hipped slate roof with brick stacks. The building has a rectangular plan, two storeys and an attic, with a four-window front. A glazed porch with polychromatic brickwork features a round window above a panelled door, set within a semi-circular arched architrave. An extension built in the 1970s provides a staircase and additional porch. Stone lintels are above two margin-light sashes to the right and three small lights with wrought-iron grilles to the left. Similar margin-light sashes, with raised brick quoining, are found on the sides and rear. An angled return to the left-side wall includes an oriel with a two-light stone-mullioned window above a polychromatic brick semi-circular arched doorway. The rear elevation, of two bays, has a square bay window and a canted bay window with margin-light sashes, both set above a basement with semi-circular arched sashes. The interior was remodelled in the 20th century. Drawings are held in the RIBA drawings collection; the contract was taken out by one Hull in April 1862. Francis Penrose (1817-1903) was a noted archaeologist, astronomer, mathematician, and architect who, alongside his professional practice, also served as Surveyor of St Paul's Cathedral. The building is included for its early use of concrete blockwork and as an unusual example of a High Victorian architect designing a residence for himself.