Concrete barrack block 1, Burgoyne Barracks, Shorncliffe Camp

Concrete barrack block No 1, dated 1880, stands within the former Royal Engineers Barracks, later Burgoyne Barracks, at Shorncliffe Camp. It is one of four near-identical blocks, blocks 2-4 being dated 1881. The building is constructed of rendered mass concrete with later 20th and early 21st century slate composite roofs, and uPVC eaves and fascias.

Originally designed as soldiers’ quarters, the block was laid out with two large rooms, and a separate NCO’s room adjacent to the entrance. It now serves as storage, and retains this original plan, including the NCO’s room (room 4) to the west of the entrance. The block is linked to Block 2 to the north by a 20th-century ablutions block, which is not included in this listing.

The exterior design of the concrete block mimics the proportions and architectural details of brick and stone barracks at other locations. Features include concrete quoins and plinths imitating brick, stone, or render, and round-arched or segmental-headed rendered window and door architraves and cills. The east and west elevations are similar, each displaying a roundel inscribed with ‘RE’ and the date 1880, alongside a numbered lozenge-shaped panel indicating it is the first of the four blocks, numbered consecutively from south to north. The east gable wall, the north elevation, and most of the south elevation retain original six-over-six pane horned timber sash windows. The west gable has replacement windows closely matching the original style. A southern entrance, originally near-central according to a 1907 plan, has been enlarged. Other doorways on the south elevation appear to replace original window openings, but retain complete, rendered architraves.

Inside, the NCO’s room (room 4) features an angle chimney breast; the fireplace opening has been rendered over, and the stack removed above the roof. The original skylight structure in the passage remains, but is now roofed over. The block has plain ceilings, contrasting with the probably higher specification board and batten ceilings found in Blocks 3 and 4.