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124
Report to the Commissioners of Public Baths and
Wash-houses of the Parish of St. Giles, Camberwell,
respecting the adaptability and expediency of converting
the present buildings on the Birkbeck School Site,
Willowbrook road, Peckham, to the purpose of Baths and
Wash-houses, by Mr. Thomas Wilkins, Associate and
Science Prizeman of King's College, London, Prizeman of
the Society of Engineers, Westminster.
6, Great St. Helens,
London, E.C.,
May 16th, 1888.
Question No. 1:—
Whether the present buildings can be advantageously
and usefully converted into suitable Public Baths, Washhouses,
with the necessary offices.
Answer:—
The buildings on the Birkbeck School Site are
considerably narrower than the width found most suitable
for swimming baths; and owing to difference in the rise of
the various roofs, considerable expense would be entailed
in throwing two suites of rooms into one large room. The
shape of the ground has also necessitated a want of
uniformity in the lengths of the different suites of rooms;
and this would be a further obstacle to converting any two
suites or portions of any two suites into one large room.
Notwithstanding these drawbacks, and for the present not
considering the price, I am of opinion that the existing
buildings can be advantageously and usefully converted
into suitable Baths and the necessary offices; but that it