Description

The following building shall be added:

TQ 1873 and TQ 1973 RICHMOND HILL
(south west side)

25/70
Royal Star and Garter
Home

II GV

Home and hospital for disabled servicemen, 1919-24 by Sir Edwin Cooper based on
plan of 1915 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Red brick with stone dressings on
steel frame with hipped pantile roofs, heavy modillion eaves cornice and
symmetrically-spaced stacks. Figure of eight plan on steeply sloping site so
that building is 4 storeys and attic to front elevation, and to rear 6 storeys
with attic including one storey beneath projecting walled garden flanked by
single storey wings. Main elevations each have an additional storey hidden in
roof. Front elevation of 7 bays with central door having 5-bay return and 7-bay
side-wings set back and each ending in single-bay pavilions, the wings and
pavilions all behind projecting single-storey nine-bay screens. Centre and
pavilions have paired Corinthian columns in antis forming aedicules to recessed
fenestration - a typical Cooper motif. Garden front of 21 bays between single-
bay pavilions in same style, the central paired columns rising above wreathed
portrait medallion surmounted by crown. Doors lead onto terrace above project-
ing ground-floor loggia of Roman Doric columns now glazed, that continues along
right-angled wings for 10 bays, the last with'recessed moulded entrance and
paired columns in antis. Heavy cornice to loggia which has central door to
paved garden with central bulb-shaped fountain surmounted by cherubs. 7-bay
side elevations, central bay with aediculed surround and balcony. All windows
small-pane glazing bar sashes, those to first floor on entrance front (third
floor on garden front) set in stone surrounds; pedimented dormers to all eleva-
tions. Interior: modern doors lead to entrance hall with Ionic columns,
coffered ceilings, marble walls and floors. To left apsed memorial alcove with
stained glass by J Dudley Forsyth; to right staircase set in similar apse.
Offices to front, ward for the especially handicapped to rear, leading onto
terrace. 6 lifts, and stairs, lead to lower ground floor containing dining room
to right and recreation hall to left, with square columns forming aisle and
coffered ceiling. Hospital facilities to front. Mortuary chapel, in basement
under walled garden reached via separate pylon doorway to side with winged
figure wreathed in poppies on lintel, has tripartite interior separated by Doric
columns set between pilasters, marble walls and floors, coffered ceilings,
stained glass, star-shaped light fittings, dedicated to son of Viscountess
Cowdray, whose bust it contains. Upper floors contain bed-sitting rooms and
staff accommodation. A revolutionary concept in provision for the disabled,
allowing ex-servicemen to lead independent lives in a building carefully planned
for their convenience that is also of high architectural quality with lavish
original fittings.

Listing NGR: TQ1842473759

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Royal Star and Garter Home, Richmond at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q7374877

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

• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Cambridgeshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)