Description

Raymond Unwin; C M Crickmer (site architect), 1916/17. Row of 3 brick-built 2-storey double-villa blocks in symmetrical lay-out, blocks linked by low wings, but with some alterations. Central block has 2 inner doors, octagonal outer lights at ground; flanking ranges have round-headed doorways, set in stepped reveals and contained in shallow projecting full-height bays; block nearest S pebble-dashed and with modern glazing. Stacks; slate roofs.

Statement of Interest

This row of three semi-detached houses is a significant part of the streetscape of the planned town of Gretna. The buildings are of red brick - an unusual residential building material in Scotland - and have some simple yet decorative features in the brick band courses and the hexagonal window openings. Gretna was designed along Garden City principles, which included the use of small groups of housing with accessible green space. The houses here are set back from the pavement each with a private garden. The gently curving aspect to the street is a key factor in the town planning of Gretna.

Built in 1916-18, the town of Gretna was constructed to provide housing and community facilities for the workers of the nearby munitions factory. The government was concerned during the course of the First World War that there was a lack of ammunition for the British troops, and it commissioned a large munitions factory to be built. This stretched for 9 miles along the banks of the Solway and produced Cordite explosives. Thousands of workers were brought in from around Britain and Ireland to work at the factory and temporary timber and more permanent brick housing was erected to accommodate the builders of the factory and its workers. The township was designed along Garden City lines, with green spaces surrounding the houses, with a wide, central street with shops and community facilities and other, curving streets. The chief designer was Raymond Unwin, with Courtnay M Crickmer acting as the resident architect. As well as housing, the workers and their families required buildings to provide for leisure and the township included several churches, a dance hall, a school and a cinema. After the war, the factory was dismantled and only a few remnants of it remain.

Raymond Unwin (1863-1940) was one of the most important figures in early 20th century British town planning and was the overseeing architect for the development of Gretna and the neighbouring town of Eastriggs. He advocated high standards of design for social housing and informality of planning. He worked predominantly in England and is perhaps best known for his planning of Letchworth Garden City and Hampstead Garden Suburb.

C M Crickmer, (1879-1971) was a London based architect who was the architect in resident for the designing of Gretna township. He also worked with Unwin at Letchworth and Hampstead Garden Suburb.

Many of the original windows and doors have been replaced with a variety of materials and glazing patterns. The original glazing pattern predominantly consisted of small pane timber sash and case windows, which are apparent in early photographs of Gretna.

Category changed from B to C(S) and Notes and References updated, 2012.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q56617874

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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