DOI Heft:
No. 269 (August 1915)
DOI Artikel:Recent designs in domestic architecture
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21213#0217
Recent Designs in Domestic Architecture
THE MEAD, WRITTLE, ESSEX.
REGINALD A. RIX, A.R.I.B.A.,
ARCHITECT
every one knows of failures
in construction through well-
ntentioned parsimony, there
is evidence also of success
in building cheaply and sub-
stantially. For instance,
“The Mead,” Writtle, Essex,
was designed by Mr. Regi-
nald A. Rix, A.R.I.B.A., to
secure a country house at
the lowest possible cost,
not only in original outlay
but in upkeep. The out-
side walls are partly covered with smooth cement
in its natural colour, and partly with hanging tiles.
The roof-tiles are sand-faced and very dark. Sim-
plicity is the keynote of the internal decoration.
Woodwork is used freely, and the walls are finished
with wall-cloth and simple distemper. The doors
are plain boarded, and the ground floors have wood
blocks or tiles. The house is so planned that
nearly all the rooms face south-east to obtain the
maximum of sun. It will be seen from the plan that
a large living-room has been provided, and folding
doors open from it to the dining-room. Both these
apartments lead to the verandah, which is used for
meals as often as possible. A feature of the house
is the miniature gallery overlooking the hall. There
are six bedrooms, dressing-room, bathroom, etc.
Accommodation is provided for electric lighting
plant. The building stands in three acres of land,
part of which is taken up by a tennis-lawn, lily
pond, rock garden, and other adjuncts which do
not show in the illustrations. The conveyance
revealed an interesting history, which, though short
in details, covers a long period. The land originally
belonged to the Pope of Rome, who sold it in the
fourteenth century to William of Wykeham, and by
him it was given to New College, Oxford, from
whom it was purchased by Mr. Rix.
The detail of the morning-room at Summerhill
Court, Kingswinford (p. 196), shows the fireplace,
which is built of Horton stone with a background
197
THE MEAD, WRITTLE, ESSEX.
REGINALD A. RIX, A.R.I.B.A.,
ARCHITECT
every one knows of failures
in construction through well-
ntentioned parsimony, there
is evidence also of success
in building cheaply and sub-
stantially. For instance,
“The Mead,” Writtle, Essex,
was designed by Mr. Regi-
nald A. Rix, A.R.I.B.A., to
secure a country house at
the lowest possible cost,
not only in original outlay
but in upkeep. The out-
side walls are partly covered with smooth cement
in its natural colour, and partly with hanging tiles.
The roof-tiles are sand-faced and very dark. Sim-
plicity is the keynote of the internal decoration.
Woodwork is used freely, and the walls are finished
with wall-cloth and simple distemper. The doors
are plain boarded, and the ground floors have wood
blocks or tiles. The house is so planned that
nearly all the rooms face south-east to obtain the
maximum of sun. It will be seen from the plan that
a large living-room has been provided, and folding
doors open from it to the dining-room. Both these
apartments lead to the verandah, which is used for
meals as often as possible. A feature of the house
is the miniature gallery overlooking the hall. There
are six bedrooms, dressing-room, bathroom, etc.
Accommodation is provided for electric lighting
plant. The building stands in three acres of land,
part of which is taken up by a tennis-lawn, lily
pond, rock garden, and other adjuncts which do
not show in the illustrations. The conveyance
revealed an interesting history, which, though short
in details, covers a long period. The land originally
belonged to the Pope of Rome, who sold it in the
fourteenth century to William of Wykeham, and by
him it was given to New College, Oxford, from
whom it was purchased by Mr. Rix.
The detail of the morning-room at Summerhill
Court, Kingswinford (p. 196), shows the fireplace,
which is built of Horton stone with a background
197