Heritage and Planning Statement

18 Charles Rowan House, Islington, wc1x 0eh

Listed Building Consent Application by David Gibson Architects

May 2013

David Gibson Architects 35 Britannia Row London N1 8QH (fax 020 7704 6946) 020 7226 2207 1315 / 130514 |   |   |

1 Significance of history and character

Further aspects of the history and character of the buildings are described in the Appraisal Report which accompanied the above mentioned application, see sections 1 Introduction, 2 History, 3 Significance of the Property, and 5 Impact of Heritage Value and Mitigation.

The historical features of the building are as follows: built in 1928 - 1930 Charles Rowan House is a five story red brick Grade II building with basement with molded details to street elevations stock bricks to courtyard. The building was former flats for married policemen and is acknowledged as expressionist style.

Gilbert Mackenzie Trench, architect and surveyor to the Metropolitan , designed the block, the builders were T. H. Adamson & Sons, and it was named after Sir Charles Rowan, the army officer appointed by in 1829 as one of two commissioners to organize London's new police force. Of five storeys, with plain stock-brick internal elevations under flat roofs, the block provided sixty eight three-bedroom and twenty- eight two-bedroom flats. Each had its own scullery, integral bathroom and WC, designated uniform cupboard and small internal balcony. There were also twenty-four pram shelters and a basement playground (Ills 328–30).

Charles Rowan House was transferred to Islington Council in 1974 to become council housing. Deterioration led to proposals to redevelop, and continuing decline left many flats empty, the Charles Rowan Housing Cooperative was set up, because many squatters moved in. The block was listed in 1994 and its rehabilitation has included a re-landscaping of the courtyard in 2001–2, to designs by landscape architects Farrer Huxley.

No 18 Charles Rowan House is located on the third floor. The flat’s outlook is over Margery Street with metal casement windows with a 3 - window range, all three windows have, in the past been fitted with internal secondary glazing, the internal court yard shows metal casement windows with a 3 -window range and an external balcony, again internal secondary glazing has been fitted to one of the windows (living room). These features reflect and explain the previous working relationship the workshop holds.

3 Principles and Justification

It is proposed to carry out works to complete the refurbishments and alterations of the flat accommodation that is No 18 Charles Rowan House.

Justifications for the use and arrangements were argued in the report cited below.

On this basis; so to avoid damage to the original fabric all work to the plastered internal walls done is seen as permissible, other resent work is seen as permissible include; painting of the original woodwork and replacement of bathroom and kitchen furniture and units.

The remaining elements of the work done include the new timber flooring laid throughout which replaced the original laminate flooring, the original skirting boards have now been reinstated, the ceiling height of the bathroom, kitchen and hallway has been lowered to window level height, proposed amendments are mentioned below in the David Gibson Architects 35 Britannia Row London N1 8QH (fax 020 7704 6946) 020 7226 2207 1315 / 130514 Page 2 of 3

new works, a washing machine has been located the hallway cupboard this is awaiting connection.

New works; as mentioned above amendments to the lowered ceilings in the kitchen and bathroom at window area are proposed, an appropriate section of lowered ceiling is to be removed at the window area, backing into the rooms by 600mm running the full width of the windows to allow the original ceiling height to be viewed from the external rear court yard. The previous ceiling height finish is to be repaired to match. Ventilation is required for the bathroom this is proposed by the insertion of flue within bathroom window, insertion of secondary glazing within bathroom and creation of a hole for the washing machine pipes.

3 Schedule of Works

These refurbishments and alterations have been noted and commented on in a report by Planning Enforcement Officer Rebecca Neil and Conservation Officer Tina Garratt of Islington Planning Department and agreed in general principle. This application is concerned with the detailed execution of the new, remaining elements and permitted work.

C2 Demolition/Removal

C20 Demolition Demolition externally None

Demolition internally 1 Strip out kitchen and bathroom ceiling sections allow for removal. see drawings

C21 Toxic/hazardous material removal None known. The Contractor is to take care in carrying out the works and is to notify the Architect of any suspected incidences of hazardous materials.

C3 Alteration - support

C30 Shoring and temporary works None anticipated. Temporary works are contractor's responsibility

C610 Window and ceiling alterations and repairs 1 Redecorate window and existing ceiling, make good new ceiling repairs. Redecorating

C9 Internal Walls

C91 Linings/Rendering 1 None, all walls recently plastered.

C92 Plumbing and Heating 1 New internal washing machine pipe- works as drawings, also see drawings

David Gibson Architects 35 Britannia Row London N1 8QH (fax 020 7704 6946) 020 7226 2207 1315 / 130514 Page 3 of 3

C93 Electrical Installations New ceiling lights relocated as drawings.

New window ventilation fan and connections.

New Secondary Windows Aluminium Sections for the Bathroom

Extruded to exclusive Select a glaze designs from 6063T6 alloy to BS EN 515: 1993, BS EN 573: Parts 3 and 4, BS EN 755: Parts 1 to 9, BS EN 12020: Parts 1 and 2

Finishes Polyester Powder Paint to BS 6496:1984 stock finish white 9910

Glazing

All glazing in accordance with BS6262-1,2,3,4:2005 'Codes of Practice - Glazing for Buildings' Series 10, accept glazing between 4mm and 8mm.

Gaskets

Glazing Gasket is PVC nitrile formulated to meet BS 7412:2002 Standard colour black.

Seals

Silicone treated polypropylene pile to Sliding units. Compression seals to Hinged units

Grounds

Standard grounds for Series 80, 85, 90 and 95 are primed MDF. Standard grounds for all other Series are best joinery quality primed softwood. Non-standard grounds are machined from best quality softwood, MDF or selected hardwood.

Assembly/Fixings

Heavy duty frames are jointed using solid aluminium cleats. All other frames and sashes are mechanically jointed using stainless steel screws into aluminium splines. Site fixings - stainless steel screws concealed within the frame sections.

David Gibson Architects 35 Britannia Row London N1 8QH (fax 020 7704 6946) 020 7226 2207 1315 / 130514 Page 4 of 3

Performance

Acoustic: Windows have been independently tested in accordance with BS EN ISO 140- 3:1995 'Laboratory measurement of airborne sound insulation of building elements' and BS EN ISO 717:1997 ‘Methods of rating the sound insulation in buildings and of building elements’.

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