Whitelands

Whitelands, Number 75, Gregories Road, Beaconsfield

House built 1933–34 to designs by Stanley Hinge Hamp (1877–1968) of the architectural firm Collcutt and Hamp, commissioned by Arthur Brooks Esq. Original plans are dated 9th December 1932 and show the building without the garage extension; plans for the garage extension were approved on 29th August 1933 and are by the same architect.

This is a Modern Movement house constructed of 11 inch cavity wall brickwork finished in limewashed rough stucco, with a flat roof and two chimneystacks, one incorporated within a roof water tank. The design is asymmetrical, two storeys in height with irregular fenestration. Original windows are small-paned metal-framed Crittall casements with minimal lines above representing hood mouldings.

The north-west front elevation features a projecting centre bay containing the water tank with flagpoles to the roof. To the left stands a tall staircase window of 24 panes with lower lights opening, alongside a first floor right corner window continuing on the return. A small cloakroom window occupies the ground floor, and the main entrance is splayed with a cantilevered flat hood decorated with zigzag ornament and concealed lighting in the soffit; the wooden door has a glazed top panel, narrow central panel with letterbox, and tall bottom panel. A recessed bay to the left has a first floor corner window continuing around the return and three small windows to the ground floor. A one-storey, one-bay structure to the left with a round-headed arch was originally a boiler room. To the right of the projecting centre are a two-light window to the first floor, a three-light window to the ground floor, and a final bay with corner first floor casement continuing on the return and late 20th century garage doors to the ground floor in the original opening.

The right side elevation features a small additional first floor window and an attached section of original wall with flat coping, pier, and round-headed opening. The rear or south-east elevation comprises four bays. The left bay contains a first floor 4-light casement and ground floor 2-light casement. The adjoining recessed bay has a first floor five-light casement and ground floor round-headed French window flanked by narrower tall windows of 19 panes, all with keystones. The next bay to the right has four-light windows to each floor, a small window and glazed door to the return. The end bay to the right projects slightly in front of the adjoining bay and has a two-light casement to the first floor and smaller casement and round-headed entrance to the ground floor.

The interior hall features a round-headed niche at the side of the front door and a round-headed arch leading into the kitchen. The staircase is a dogleg form with solid balusters, oak handrail and square newel posts. The living room retains a stone bolection-moulded fireplace and two round-headed alcoves on either side, originally fitted as bookcases but now serving as display units. The dining room has lost its original corner fireplace. The original scullery and pantry walls have been removed and incorporated into an extended kitchen. The maid's bedroom at the front of the house retains its original sink. Original flush-panelled doors survive throughout the interior. Much of the original garden layout survives.