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with a special Kitchen Unit finished throughout in cream coloured enamel. This Unit
comprises a stainless steel sink and draining board, with heated towel airer, a gas
cooker with a hinged enamelled top, an electric refrigerator, an electric clock, loud speaker
for wireless programmes and sundry cupboards for food, household utensils, etc. The
Kitchenette has a flap table which folds against the wall. Also leading out- of the Living
Room is a small back entrance with a Bathroom, containing a bath, W.C. and lavatory
basin, towel airer and linen cupboard. Outside the back entrance is a fuel store and a space
for a dustbin. Each flat has over the bed and bath an electric bell which rings in the
Superintendent's office in the Administration Block.
(2) Type "B" Flat to accommodate two Old Persons.
Similar to Type "A" but with a separate Bedroom in addition to the Living Room.
(3) Type "C" Flat to accommodate a family of three Persons.
These flats are situated on the upper floors.
The general accommodation and finishings are similar but in these flats there is "Background"
Heating only and Gas Fires in all rooms. They are entered from balconies running
the whole length of the Blocks and communicating with Common Staircases at each end.
(4) Type "D" Flat to accommodate a family of three-four persons.
These flats are situated on the upper floors.
They are similar to Type "C" flats but have three Bedrooms and a separate W.C.
The upper-floor flats are served with Electric Shopping Lifts and with Dust Shoots for the
disposal of refuse at each of the three common staircases.
There is a "Work Room" on each floor for the use of the tenants for minor household
repairs and hobbies.
Laundries.
There are separate Communal Laundries for the Old People and for the Tenants on the
upper floors.
The Old People's Laundry has two washing compartments consisting of a sink, draining
bench, electric washing machine and a gas copper. Leading off this is a Drying Room consisting
of separated gas-heated drying racks, each of which can be locked whilst the clothes are drying.
Ironing is done by individuals in their own flats. ,
The Tenants' Laundry is similar, except that there are four washing compartments and
a larger Drying Room.
All hot water, etc., is provided from the Central Boiler House below the Laundries.
Dining Room.
A Dining Room is provided in the Administration Block where the Old People have a
mid-day meal on a Cafeteria system. There is a hot plate counter with a steel shutter opening
into the Kitchen, which is equipped with gas cookers, sinks, refrigerator and food stores. Staff
Cloak Rooms and a service entrance to the street are provided. There are lavatories for men
and women near the Main Entrance to the Dining Room.
Sick Bay.
The Sick Bay for the care of the Old People is in two parts and is situated in the Administration
Block. There are two private rooms (one single and one double) with a Bathroom adjoining
the Superintending Matron's Quarters which is set aside for very Old People who are no longer
capable of looking after themselves. On the first floor is a six-bed ward designed on
hospital lines for Old People who may be temporarily ill or require special care. Adjoining
the ward is a Duty Room for the use of a nurse, with Bathroom, Lavatories and Sink Room
equipped on modern lines. Meals are served from the Communal Kitchen below. There is
a Passenger Lift large enough to take a stretcher.
Superintending Matron's Accommodation.
There is an office for the Superintending Matron on the Ground Floor of the Administration
Block. In this room is located the Bell Indicator serving each old person's flat, so that the
Matron can be summoned in the case of emergency. On the First Floor is a flat for the Matron,
comprising a Living Room with Dining Recess, Bedroom, Bathroom and Kitchenette equipped
in a similar manner to the other flats.
Special Features of Old People's Flats.
Considerable thought has been given to the provision of special amenities, bearing in mind
the particular needs of old and possibly infirm persons.
The baths are sunken into the floors six inches, for easy access, and bars are fixed on the
walls above them to afford support when in use. The taps of the baths, basins and sinks have
large heads for easy turning: the handles of the doors are "lever type" for easy operation:
the window fastenings are within easy reach: the paths are constructed to prevent them from
becoming slippery. A proportion of the doors of the flats are wide enough to admit invalid
chairs.
Services.
The Engineering Services are controlled from the Central Boiler House in the Basement
under the Laundry and are in charge of a Resident Engineer.
The Heating and Hot Water Boilers are oil-fired and afford supplies to all flats, the Laundry
and the Administration Block.
The Cold Water Tanks are located on the top of each Staircase Tower and the services
controlled from the Central Boiler House.