Description

EASTHAMPSTEAD

SU86NE RECTORY LANE, The Green
674-1/9/304 Nos.1-102 (Consecutive)
Point Royal

II

18 storey point block with circular partly underground parking
garage. 1961-64. Designed by Philip Dowson and Derek Sugden of
Arup Associates. Reinforced concrete, partly precast and
partly in situ. 102 flats above ground floor entrance podium.
Irregular split hexagon plan, with 6 flats on each floor,
central lift lobby, and ground floor entrance, now altered,
recessed beneath block above. Circular ground floor terrace
above ha-ha, beneath which is the basement garage, open at the
sides. The car park and ground floor are constructed in
board-marked shuttered reinforced in situ poured concrete with
sloping brick outer sides to the ha-ha. The detailing
emphasises the modelling potential of the material, with
features such as rainwater gargoyles, circular columns, slab
support walls, and splayed soffits treated with visual
consistency. Above the ground floor, the block rises above a
cantilevered reinforced concrete slab, with reinforced
concrete supporting walls, reinforced concrete floors and
roof, and an outer exposed precast reinforced concrete frame,
behind which are set back the outer walls of the flats.
Between the outer wall and the frame there is a narrow escape
gallery, giving perimeter access to the single staircase in
the centre of the north side of the block. Generous glazing to
each flat, originally precast mullions with vertically sliding
and top hung softwood sashes, now altered.

The block was refurbished a few years ago, with total
replacement of the glazing in upvc. The precast handrail units
have been replaced by a deeper enclosed dark-green-coated
metal and glazed balustrade. On the ground floor the entrance
has been brick-clad and enlarged to improve security. The open
sides of the parking garage below the ha-ha have been closed
with galvanised steel security fencing. The podium now
includes a small gezebo to house an escape stair from the
garage. While these changes have affected the appearance and
character of the building, they are comparatively minor, and
have not fundamentally compromised its integrity. The block is
notable for its bold sculptural form and integrated design and
also for the precise and refined quality of the pre-cast
external frame. Point Royal has strong landmark character in
Bracknell and the landscaping around it reinforces this. It is
one of the most distinctive architectural features in any of
the English New Towns.
(Architects Journal: 13 May 1964: 1099-1112).

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26669762

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.

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