PREFACE.
In February, 1904, I was invited to read a paper on the subject of Cottage Homes before the London Architectural Association, when I took as the basis of my remarks the work executed from my designs at the Bournville Village. In adapting myself to the limits of such a paper, I found that, while much which was treated suffered considerably through inevitable compression, a great deal that I wished also to include had to be omitted. This suggested to me the idea, now realised in book form, of treating the subject more comprehensively, giving plans and views of actual examples of cottages, with measurements and costs, and amplifying and adding to my former notes and observations.
Even with the larger scope of a book, it is still felt that much has been left undone and unsaid, and it is frankly admitted that one man dealing with his own work can scarcely pretend to do full justice to the broad subject under notice; nevertheless, it is hoped that the plans and views of Bournville cottages, accompanied by descriptions and notes, may at least prove of value as suggestions for those interested in a matter now claiming very wide attention—that of the building of cottages which may fitly be called homes.
I am indebted to the Bournville Village Trust for their courtesy in allowing me to publish plans and particulars of the Estate cottages, as well as to the private owners of the few other cottages dealt with in these pages. I must also acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. T. B. Rogers for his valuable assistance in the production of the book.
W. ALEXANDER HARVEY.
5, Bennett’s Hill,
Birmingham.
December, 1905.
CONTENTS.
| PAGE | |
| INTRODUCTION.—The housing problem of the future—the artisan-suburb. Remedies already suggested—municipalisation, etc. Experiments. The Home: its necessities and requirements—environment—fresh air—the garden—Beauty. The revival in domestic architecture and its application to cottage building. General | [1] |
| THE BOURNVILLE VILLAGE.—Its origin and its founder’s motive. The Bournville Village Trust. First and subsequent projects. A National scheme. Rents. Inhabitants. Buildings. Open spaces, etc. The village schools. Bournville’s claims | [9] |
| COTTAGES AT £135, WITH NOTES ON THE ECONOMIC BUILDING OF SMALL COTTAGES. Simplicity and regularity of planning. Arrangement of outbuildings. Height of rooms. Ornament. The true test of economy. Foundations. Stock articles. General | [16] |
| THE LAYING OUT OF GARDENS.—A Bournville garden. Paths. Bedding. Flowers. Fruit trees, etc. | [23] |
| BLOCKS, PAIRS & SINGLE COTTAGES.—Examples of Bournville cottages, with description, accommodation, materials, etc. Variations of the same plan. The long sloping roof, the large living room, and other features | [25] |
| GENERAL NOTES.—The bath—the sunk bath—the “Cabinet” bath—Cornes’ bath. The ingle nook. Chimneys. Windows—casement and sash. Bricks. Roof covering. Wall spaces—rough-cast—whitewash—half-timber, etc. | [51] |
| THE LAYING OUT OF A MODEL VILLAGE.—Regard of physical features. Advisory architect. The selection of centres. Roads. Street elevations. Service of natural advantages. Shopping. Factories. Plots of houses. Gardens. | [61] |
LIST OF PLATES.
| Note.—Where several Plates follow each other, the Page which the first faces is repeated for each in this List. | ||
| Plate | Page | |
| [I.] | —(FRONTISPIECE.) FOUR COTTAGES, THORN ROAD | |
| [II.] | —THE TRIANGLE | 9 |
| [III.] | —SHOPS, MARY VALE ROAD | 10 |
| [IV.] | —LINDEN ROAD | 10 |
| [V.] | —THE OLD FARM INN | 10 |
| [VI.] | —SYCAMORE ROAD | 12 |
| [VII.] | —THE SCHOOLS (PERSPECTIVE SKETCH) | 12 |
| [VIII.] | —CARVED STONE PANELS, THE SCHOOLS | 12 |
| [IX.] | —RUSKIN HALL | 14 |
| [X.] | —BOURNVILLE MEETING HOUSE | 14 |
| [XI.] | —BOURNVILLE MEETING HOUSE (INTERIOR) | 14 |
| [XII.] | —COTTAGES IN BLOCKS OF EIGHT (PLAN AND ELEVATION) | 16 |
| [XIII.] | —COTTAGES IN BLOCKS OF EIGHT (PERSPECTIVE SKETCH) | 16 |
| [XIV.] | —BLOCK OF FOUR COTTAGES (PLAN AND ELEVATION) | 25 |
| [XV.] | —BLOCK OF FOUR COTTAGES (VIEW) | 26 |
| [XVI.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (PLAN AND ELEVATION) | 28 |
| [XVII.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (VIEW) | 28 |
| [XVIII.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (PLAN AND ELEVATION) | 28 |
| [XIX.] | —THREE PAIRS OF COTTAGES (VIEW) | 28 |
| [XX.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (PLAN AND ELEVATION) | 30 |
| [XXI.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (VIEW) | 32 |
| [XXII.] | —BLOCK OF FOUR COTTAGES (VIEW) | 32 |
| [XXIII.] | —BLOCK OF FOUR COTTAGES (VIEW) | 32 |
| [XXIV.] | —BLOCK OF FOUR COTTAGES (VIEW) | 32 |
| [XXV.] | —BLOCK OF FOUR COTTAGES (VIEW) | 32 |
| [XXVI.] | —BLOCK OF FOUR COTTAGES (DETAIL VIEW) | 32 |
| [XXVII.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (PLAN AND ELEVATION) | 33 |
| [XXVIII.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (PLAN AND ELEVATION) | 34 |
| [XXIX.] | —BLOCK OF THREE COTTAGES (PLAN) | 36 |
| [XXX.] | —BLOCK OF THREE COTTAGES (PERSPECTIVE SKETCH) | 36 |
| [XXXI.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES: SHALLOW SITE (VIEW) | 38 |
| [XXXII.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (VIEW) | 38 |
| [XXXIII.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (VIEW) | 38 |
| [XXXIV.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (PLAN AND ELEVATION) | 40 |
| [XXXV.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (VIEW) | 40 |
| [XXXVI.] | —SINGLE COTTAGE (PLAN AND ELEVATION) | 42 |
| [XXXVII.] | —SINGLE COTTAGE (VIEW) | 42 |
| [XXXVIII.] | —SINGLE COTTAGE (VIEW) | 42 |
| [XXXIX.] | —SINGLE COTTAGE (PLAN AND ELEVATION) | 44 |
| [XL.] | —SINGLE COTTAGE (VIEW) | 44 |
| [XLI.] | —STAIRCASE OF SINGLE COTTAGE | 44 |
| [XLII.] | —DINING ROOM OF SINGLE COTTAGE | 44 |
| [XLIII.] | —SINGLE COTTAGE (PLAN AND ELEVATION) | 46 |
| [XLIV.] | —SINGLE COTTAGE (VIEW) | 46 |
| [XLV.] | —PAIR OF THREE-STOREY COTTAGES (GROUND AND BEDROOM PLAN) | 48 |
| [XLVI.] | —PAIR OF THREE-STOREY COTTAGES (ELEVATION AND ATTIC PLAN) | 48 |
| [XLVII.] | —PAIR OF THREE-STOREY COTTAGES (VIEW) | 48 |
| [XLVIII.] | —PAIR OF THREE-STOREY COTTAGES (VIEW) | 48 |
| [XLIX.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (PLAN AND ELEVATION) | 50 |
| [L.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (VIEW) | 50 |
| [LI.] | —COTTAGE INGLE | 50 |
| [LII.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (DETAIL VIEW) | 50 |
| [LIII.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (VIEW) | 50 |
| [LIV.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (VIEW OF BACK) | 50 |
| [LV.] | —PAIR OF COTTAGES (PORCH) | 50 |
| [LVI.] | —SINGLE COTTAGE (VIEW) | 50 |
| [LVII.] | —SINGLE COTTAGE (PORCH) | 50 |