The King’s New Cottages

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 95, 13 July 1927, Page 11

The King’s New Cottages

REAL ENGLISH HOMES An Idea For Auckland THE King has taken a lead in cottage building at Sandringham which should have a far-reaching effect on the domestic architecture of the countryside. A description of them is of interest to New Zealanders, especially now that the ideas of flats and “double houses” are accepted.

His Majesty is dissatisfied with the Sandringham cottages, though they are admittedly better to look at than thousands of the structures now springing up in the country. A select number of domestic architects were informed by letter of the King’s desire to see “a really practical and at the same time beautiful design.” A sketch of “a type of real English cottage” was asked for and the speci-

fication given for a double cottage of which the cost should not exceed £I,OOO. The ground floor was to have a living room (or kitchen) and parlour and a larder for food. On the first floor were to be three bedrooms. There were to be an outhouse with wash-house and fuel store and a passage, open but under cover, connecting the outhouse with the main building and enabling it to be reached dry in all weathers. Both the King and Queen chose the

i plans submitted by Mr. Gerald Warren, j F.R.1.8.A., of Essex Street, Strand, W.C. Tenders were invited, and the ;■ lowest, which amounted to £BSO. was accepted. YELLOW STONE I The cottages will be of yellow Carr ’ stone, with roof of hand-made, sandi faced tiles of a rich dark red hue. There will be iron casements through-

out, with leaded lights, and the larder window will be fitted with metal gauze. The King is hoping by this example at Sandringham, to show how artistic, efficient, really English cottages can be erected on our large estates and in our villages at a cost within the means of any who might be wishing to build. It is commonly supposed that attempts to obtain any aesthetic value in country cottages are frustrated by excessive costs. His Majesty’s enterprise at Sandringham shows that this impression is erroneous.