London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
City of Westminster 1902
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]
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78
These playgrounds and roadway are sufficiently wide, and the
cardinal disposition of the blocks of dwellings is such as to ensure each
tenement a fair amount of sunshine and ample lighting and ventilation.
The acommodation provided by the scheme is as follows:—
45 single-room tenements, 161 two-room tenements, 126 three-room
tenements, and 12 four-room tenements, all being of the description
known as "associated," with the exception of the 12 four-room
tenements, which, being for a superior class of tenant, are arranged as
self-contained, i.e., each having its own separate laundry, lobby, and
w.c. The associated tenements are all so arranged that no more than
four on a floor are approached from one staircase, and in this respect
they are superior to the Hammersmith Buildings. One laundry, one
outside sink and two w.c..s are provided for each group of four
tenements, and in this respect they are superior to the Guinness
Dwellings, where no fewer than five possess the like accommodation in
common. The three-room tenements are all provided with an outside
lobby to give them greater privacy.
The staircases are all arranged with ample means of ventilation
directly into the outer air upon each storey, and every tenement has
ventilation from front to rear, which ensures through draught.
The Architects have supplied the following comparative figures of the superficial areas of tenements:—
| Living Boom. | Bed Room. | |
|---|---|---|
| Regency Street | 154 feet super. | 98—126 feet super. |
| Guinness Trust (Hammersmith) | 140—150 | 100—126 |
| London County Council | 154 | 95—126 |
In the basement of the north-east block provision has been made
for a group of nine bath rooms, hot water room for the supply of boiling
water, and a drying room, all fed by a boiler in a fire-proof compartment
adjoining Page Street, upon similar lines to those in use at the
Guinness Buildings at Hammersmith. These are planned with separate
access to, thus obviating posible interference with the comfort of the
occupiers of the tenements over them.
At the south-east end of the rear playground provision is made for
a coal-store for retailing coal to the tenants, and a store room and
workshop for the necessary small repairs that may be needed from time
to time. There is also a long range of perambulator sheds which are
proposed to be let to the tenants at a nominal rent.
With respect to the architectural features of the fronts, these are
sufficiently elaborate as regards treatment without being unduly costly