DOI Artikel:
Jones, Sydney R.; Forrest, George Topham [Ill.]: The Roehampton Estate: illustrated by drawings prepared in the office of the architect to the London county council
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.41869#0069
THE ROEHAMPTON ESTATE
tunities offered by roughcast and whitewashed
brickwork have not been lost. For the roofs
of many of the buildings, greenish-brown slates
of varied sizes have been employed, the larger
ones hung at the eaves, with the sizes gradually
diminishing towards the ridges, in the manner
that was customary for centuries in the Cots-
wold country.
A word of explanation is necessary in regard to
the building materials. When the London
County Council commenced operations at Roe-
hampton nearly two years ago, war-time condi-
tions still obtained, and there was a great scar-
city of everything required. At the same time
completed houses were wanted as soon as pos-
sible. Bricks, tiles, timber and all things needed"^)
for the work, were therefore brought from
wherever they could be
found, and even the
GRILLE TO FIRST-FLOOR MAISONETTE
STAIRCASE WINDOW
South of France was drawn upon for supplies. A
somewhat heterogeneous collection of goods was
the result, and credit is due to the Architect’s
Department of the Council for the skill it has dis-
played in using the materials to the best advantage.
Indeed, some of the difficulties of supply have
proved to be blessings in disguise. The notes of
simplicity and directness, obvious in all the build-
ings throughout the Estate, are partly due to the
limited resources available, and are reflected in all
the details of the v/ork, as well as in the houses
themselves. About the Estate are to be seen capi-
tal little treatments of doorways, chimneys, and
the like, which have grown naturally out of the
means at hand. Some examples are shewn here.
In conclusion, it can be frankly stated that the
London County Council, in common with certain
other public authorities, are doing work in connec-
tion with housing that augurs well for the future of
official architecture. It rests with all similar public
bodies to discharge their responsibilities to the
community in a corresponding way.
Sydney R. Jones
55
tunities offered by roughcast and whitewashed
brickwork have not been lost. For the roofs
of many of the buildings, greenish-brown slates
of varied sizes have been employed, the larger
ones hung at the eaves, with the sizes gradually
diminishing towards the ridges, in the manner
that was customary for centuries in the Cots-
wold country.
A word of explanation is necessary in regard to
the building materials. When the London
County Council commenced operations at Roe-
hampton nearly two years ago, war-time condi-
tions still obtained, and there was a great scar-
city of everything required. At the same time
completed houses were wanted as soon as pos-
sible. Bricks, tiles, timber and all things needed"^)
for the work, were therefore brought from
wherever they could be
found, and even the
GRILLE TO FIRST-FLOOR MAISONETTE
STAIRCASE WINDOW
South of France was drawn upon for supplies. A
somewhat heterogeneous collection of goods was
the result, and credit is due to the Architect’s
Department of the Council for the skill it has dis-
played in using the materials to the best advantage.
Indeed, some of the difficulties of supply have
proved to be blessings in disguise. The notes of
simplicity and directness, obvious in all the build-
ings throughout the Estate, are partly due to the
limited resources available, and are reflected in all
the details of the v/ork, as well as in the houses
themselves. About the Estate are to be seen capi-
tal little treatments of doorways, chimneys, and
the like, which have grown naturally out of the
means at hand. Some examples are shewn here.
In conclusion, it can be frankly stated that the
London County Council, in common with certain
other public authorities, are doing work in connec-
tion with housing that augurs well for the future of
official architecture. It rests with all similar public
bodies to discharge their responsibilities to the
community in a corresponding way.
Sydney R. Jones
55