Description

TQ 21 74 SE WANDSWORTH, LB MINSTEAD GARDENS
(west side)

1207/18/10067 Nos. 2-26 (Even)
- with retaining walls

GV II

Staggered terrace of thirteen bungalows for old-age pensioners. Designed 1952-3; built 1957-8 by the LCC's Architect's Department Housing Department, Colin Lucas Architect in Charge, J A Partridge, W G Howell, J A W Killick, S F Amis, J R Galley and R Stout job architects. Brick and concrete cross-wall construction with roughcast infill panels; flat roofs counterbalanced by high concrete stacks that give the group great character. The rectangle of each single-storey unit incorporates recessed porches to front and back. The glazing and panels under windows renewed in UPVC, to a pattern resembling the original. Flush timber doors retain their original design. Storage area, formerly a fuel store, incorporated in front wall. Retaining walls enclose a small garden area to front, at rear the open grassed area is part of the group's composition. Interiors comprise large single room with fireplace, linen cupboard and bed recess; kitchen and bathrooom not of special interest.
The groups of old people's dwellings are a charming feature of the Alton West development. Their small scale is a deliberate counterpoise to the great slabs and point blocks around, a contrast further exploited in the quirky, unexpected chimneys. This combination of very large and very tiny buildings exemplifies the concept of 'mixed development', with houses and flats to suit all ages and needs, of which Alton West is the ultimate expression. These bungalows also form a strong group with the C18 listed Mount Clare behind. 'Their informal tight grouping and open roadways achieve almost the character of the original parklands, yet these tiny units take their place exceedingly well with the tall blocks across the spine road and on the higher slope' (Prefabrication, November 1958).

Listing NGR: TQ2171374032

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26538490

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair