The model village and its cottages

by William Alexander Harvey

Cubical contents, 64,800 ft. at 4d. per foot cube = £1,080 per block, or £135 per cottage.

There has been considerable discussion of late with regard to the building of cheap cottages suitable for labourers and the poorer artisans, both in the country and elsewhere. Experiments have been made in which the building materials employed have been other than brick, the object being a reduction in cost. The bye-laws which do not at present sanction the erection of cottages in some of these materials will, it is hoped, before long be altered. Meanwhile, what is wanted in most districts is the cheap dwelling in brick.

PLATE XIII.
BLOCK OF EIGHT COTTAGES.
SEE PAGE [16].

The example here given is of a similar plan to one from which a number of cottages in blocks of four have been erected at Bournville. Owing to a decision on the part of the Village Trust not to build in blocks of more than four, the plans here given have never been carried out at Bournville, but in view of the danger there is of under-estimating the cost of such cottages, and the importance of avoiding inaccuracies, estimates have been obtained for their erection under similar conditions. Economy of construction has been the main object in the design, without sacrificing that pleasant environment, privacy and homeliness of appearance which are, as already indicated, essential to the cottage home.

The cost of erecting in blocks of four only is necessarily increased, and the lowest estimate for those at Bournville is £160 per cottage, the particular estimate being, however, for a block of four on “made up” ground, necessitating deep footings, the cottages including the sunk bath, which is more costly than the “Cabinet” patent.

The plan might be simplified, if desired, by omitting the division wall between the living room and scullery, thus making one large room. The boiler, sink, and bath might then be planned in a small recess which could be screened off by a curtain when not in use.

Simplicity and Regularity of Planning.—The roof runs uninterruptedly from end to end, by which unnecessary roof complications are avoided; the chimneys have been grouped together to diminish trimming and flashing, always costly items, and have been brought to the highest point in the roof to prevent smoky flues, consequent upon down draughts; and the building throughout is of a very inexpensive character. Further, the eaves run uninterruptedly, for the windows are not allowed to complicate the spouting and roofing by breaking through the roof, the wall-plate nevertheless being kept at a fairly low level. In all cottages of this class, compactness and regularity should be always aimed at in planning, and the wall lines—set out at right angles—should be as long and unbroken as possible.

Arrangement of Outbuildings.—The w.c.’s, here isolated, are in the Bournville blocks of four planned under the main roof, which arrangement is for many reasons preferable. As many as possible of the outbuildings should, in the case of small cottages, be arranged under the main roof. Often, where the outbuildings of these rows of cottages are extensive, one or more of the houses suffers through the projecting eaves of the other, and there is a narrow outlook upon a cramped yard. The better view of the garden obtained from the back rooms by the avoidance of this is an important consideration. The kitchen, in small property, is as much used as the living room, and the value of the restful glimpse of green to the housewife should not be ignored. (The isolation of the w.c. in the example under notice does not obstruct the light.) In the case of a corner site it is preferable to close in the yard at the back of the house, so that the week’s wash may not be exposed to the public view. It may be advanced, however, that such a domestic display is not really unsightly, but gives a pleasant human interest to the surroundings. Such an opinion, nevertheless, will probably not find general acceptance.

Heights of Rooms.—The height of the building will also be reduced to the lowest limit. The heights of 8 ft. 3 ins. for the ground floor, and 8 ft. for the chamber floor, are quite adequate for the average cottage, so long as sufficient ventilation is provided. There is some difficulty in getting the artisan to recognise this, for a lofty and often draughty and cold room seems to have an unaccountable attraction for him. As, however, floor space is the essential, the reduction of heights is in every way a legitimate means of economising the brickwork; moreover, the scale of the building is at the same time rendered more pleasing. With the height reduced, it will be necessary to introduce the casement window, as the sash kind requires a loftier elevation. This, however, will be no detriment, as the former is more agreeable and appropriate to the cottage home.