Conservation Statement: 33 - 37 Bedford Square
Bernadette Bone
June 2011
Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 1
Contents
1. Summary and Introduction ...... 3 2. Understanding the Site ...... 5 3. Assessment of Significance ...... 11 4. Issues / Vulnerability ...... 20 5. Outline Policies ...... 22
Appendices ...... 23 A Bibliography ...... B Listing Notices ...... C List of Previous Occupiers ...... D Plans from the AA Archive ...... E Development Plans by Wright and Wright ...... 31 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 2 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 3
1. Summary and Introduction
The Architectural Association has decided to relinquish the lease on 33-37 Bedford Square. The Bedford Estate has therefore been asked to produce a conservation statement to help assess the cultural significance of the building and the issues and constraints which would need to be considered in finding a new use for the building.
One possible tenant is an international technology company whose requirements would include the upgrading of services to cope with their technological requirements, together with facilities for public access and additional dedicated parking. They may also wish to sublet part of the building to a separate tenant who would need independent access.
This Conservation Statement has been prepared to establish a common understanding of the significance of the existing fabric of 33- 37 Bedford Square in order that proposals for alternative future use can be considered on an informed basis.
In essence the report consists of five parts. Following this introduction and summary, the second part provides background to the history and development of Bedford Square as a whole, and aims to show, in as much detail as can be gained from the documentary evidence consulted to date, how the fabric of no.’s 33-37 has been adapted over time. The third part provides an assessment of significance of the surviving fabric. The analysis of the history and development of the site alongside the assessment of significance is key to the understanding of the site and in developing a common understanding of what the important characteristics are of the heritage asset. The fourth part sets down the issues that affect the buildings today, their condition and how they are used and managed. The final parts sets down the strategy or next steps to address the issues whilst protecting the architectural and historic significance of the site and buildings. Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 4
Fig 1 – 1682 map Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 5
2. Understanding the Site
Bedford Square is located in the Bloomsbury Conservation Area in the London Borough of Camden. Part of the southern section of the Bloomsbury Conservation Area falls within an Archaeological Priority Area. Bedford Square itself is located close to the junction of Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.
The early history of the area is outlined in the ‘Bloomsbury Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Strategy’ produced by the Conservation and Urban Design Team at the London Borough of Camden, and as such has not been researched in detail for this study. However it should be noted that the land within the vicinity of Bedford Square area was mainly in agricultural and pastoral use until the mid to late 1600’s as can be seen to Fig 1.
Early development of the Bloomsbury area itself was instigated by the Earl of Southampton. In the 1660’s he was responsible for the construction of Southampton House and the surrounding square, at first called Southampton Square and now known as Bloomsbury Square. The predecessor to this square was Covent Garden, the 4th Earl of Bedford’s development in the 1630’s and the first public square in the country.
Following the death of the Earl of Southampton the Bloomsbury Estate came into the Russell family’s ownership. William, son of the 5th Earl of Bedford, married a young widow, Lady Rachel Vaughan, one of the daughters of the 4th Earl of Southampton. She had recently inherited the agricultural fields comprising the area roughly between Tottenham Court Road, Euston Road, Southampton Row and New Oxford Street.1 As such the Southampton Estate was absorbed into the Bedford Estate.
There followed a short period of development but then a hiatus when Great Russell Street was to form the boundary between town and country for over a century.2 However in the mid to late 1700’s the economic situation was suitable for further development and the city started to creep northwards.
The Bedford Estate had a tradition of being associated with good town planning3, Covent Garden being a prime example, and the 4th Duke of Bedford had ambitions for the development of the Bloomsbury area. When the 4th Duke died in 1771 the estate was overseen by his widow Duchess Gertrude and the Estates chief steward; Robert Palmer. It is considered that the Duchess and Robert Palmer were responsible for overseeing the development of Bedford Square which was built between 1775 and 1783.
Bedford Square marked the start of the Bedford Estates development of Bloomsbury and was the first extension of Bloomsbury northward.1 In its creation of the formal landscaped square and uniform street layouts it established the principles for the development of the Bloomsbury area which is ‘widely considered to be an internationally significant example of town planning’.1
Fig 2 – 1799 map
1 www.bedfordestates.com 2 Bedford Square An Architectural Study 3 Bedford Square An Architectural Study Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 6
Although it is considered that the Duchess and Robert Palmer were the Patrons for the development, Robert Grews and William Scott the builders with the involvement of the architect Thomas Leverton; the extent to which each individuals association with the development informed the design and layout of the square and surrounding buildings is not known. This is in part due to the speculative nature of the development and the apparent lack of detailed accounts attributing the design to any one party.
What can be observed is that Bedford Square is ‘a virtually intact and exemplary piece of late 18th century town planning’. The listing notice refers to “the houses in Bedford Square” which “form a most important and complete example of C18 town planning.” Within ‘Bedford Square: An Architectural Study’. Andrew Byrne remarks on the unique qualities of Bedford Square, describing it as the first example of a square in London with consistently uniform proportions to all four sides. It is considered to be the first garden square with an imposed uniformity and set the style for garden squares in London through the late 18th and early 19th century.4 As well as being the first, Byrne states that it is the only surviving example as this uniformity has never been exactly replicated in London.5 It certainly was a lucky survivor of the WWII bombing.
The earlier examples of squares in London which include Covent Garden and Bloomsbury Square each have their own peculiarities which effect the overall composition. A uniform composition as seen at Bedford Square was unusual in no small part because of the speculative and entrepreneurial environment in which it was conceived. Examples of complete and uniform squares in other cities, for example Place des Vosges in Paris, were made possible by the control of an overseeing architect or authority.6 At Bedford Square the ambitions of the Estate to produce a good example of town planning ensured that the Estate was determined to exercise a degree of control over the Bedford Sq development by way of clauses in the building agreement.
Pevsner describes the square as follows; “Each side of the square is treated as a whole, with stuccoed, pedimented and pilastered five-bay centre. The houses have entrances with window slits flanking the doors so as to make a tripartite pattern, and surrounds of coade stone with intermittent vermiculated rustication and bearded faces on the keystones. Similar detail appears on the adjoining houses in Bloomsbury Street.”
Although the layout of the square and streets is unique and exemplary the treatment of the facades is not stylistically unique. The detailing of the facades is derivative, drawing on Palladian features which had been used some years before, particularly by Robert Adam, with similar details replicated to adjoining streets. The doorcases and coade stone elements, although have aesthetic value, are all ‘off-the-shelf’ units from the coade artificial stone manufactory at Lambeth, emphasising the fact that it appears unlikely that a renowned architect was responsible for complete execution of the square.7 This is further reinforced by Pevsner’s description of “the perverse treatment of N & S centre pieces, where a pilaster appears beneath the centre of the pediment” which he states “argues against the involvement of a designer familiar with classical principles”.8 As such, although still considered to be “without any doubt the most handsome of London squares”9, Bedford Square does not consist of the most unique or exemplary pieces of architecture of that period.
There are a couple of exceptions to this statement; one is No. 1 Bedford Square which is known to have been designed by architect Thomas Leverton. Although No. 1 Bedford Square is not to be considered in detail as part of this study it is worth noting to highlight its architectural importance and distinction from the other properties. Another notable example is No. 32 – the centre house on the west side, interesting because of its affinity to Robert Adam’s Royal Society of Arts building in John Adam Street 1772-4, although again not considered in detail as part of this study.
Bloomsbury was one of the most fashionable residential locations after the 1760’s and the original development at Bedford Square was residential in response to the demand. However as the area around Bloomsbury became more built up, rather
4 www.parksandgardens.ac.uk 5 Bedford Square An Architectural Study 6 Bedford Square An Architectural Study 7 Bedford Square An Architectural Study 8 Pevsner 9 Pevsner Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 7
than being on the fringe of the city the area became immersed in the city. As such the areas desirability for residential purposes reduced and from the late 1800’s / early 1900’s onwards the area gradually developed into a commercial quarter.
Fig 3 1911 Map
Fig 4 No.’s 33-37 As existing Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 8
No.’s 33-37 Bedford Square, the principle properties to be considered by this study, are located on the west side of the square between Bayley Street and Adeline Place with Morwell Street to the rear. These properties were predominantly residential until the late 1800’s (a list of previous occupiers is provided in Appendix C. In 1917 the Architectural Association (AA) moved into no.’s 34-35. At that point the head of the AA was Robert Atkinson and he made a number of alterations which shall be described in detail later on in this section. No. 36 was acquired circa 1926 and No. 37 circa 1933. These four properties No.’s 34, 35, 36 and 37 provided the premises of the Architectural Association from the1930’s onwards.
The properties were Listed Grade I in 1951, as were the other properties which form Bedford Square. Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important; only 2.5% of listed buildings are Grade I. Other listed features within Bedford Square include the railings and gates to the private garden in the middle of the square and thirty seven lamp standards around the square both of which are Grade II. The garden itself is designated Grade II* on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England.
As typically seen to the other properties, the plan forms of no.’s 33-37 are traditional in layout and have a strong uniformity due to the repeated plot sizes, although they are not identical. The original configuration generally consisted of basement, three storeys above ground and a further attic storey with dormers set within the roof pitch. The basement consisted of storage vaults which ran through to a rear lane that is said to have served outbuildings generally consisting of coach houses and stables. The basement also projected in front of the primary elevation beneath the pavement to the square itself and this arrangement is still evident today. The basement area was bridged over to access the ground floor to each plot. The ground floor consisted of a room to the front, a room to the rear with a staircase to one side. The first floor plan typically consisted of a large room to the front which spanned the width of the house with a second room behind. The plan configuration of No. 36 Bedford Square prior to the adaptations by the AA can be seen to the plans in Appendix D and provide an indication of the possible original configuration of the plan layout.
The regular plot sizes not only provide uniformity to the plan layout but also create a regular rhythm to the façade and street. Each building elevation consists of three windows of vertical proportions to the first floor with iron balconies. The windows to the ground and second floors are of lesser heights which places visual dominance on the first floor, emphasised by the continuous banding at floor level. The iron railings around the basement areas, along with the regularly spaced stepped entrances, give visual emphasis to the doorways which are the most decorative part of the elevations. The semi-circular arches to the doorways are detailed with fanlights with decorative glazing bars and coade stone surrounds with a bearded man to the apex.
From the ground floor up all internal walls were constructed in timber except for those forming the main staircase compartment which were constructed in masonry. This enabled the stone staircase to be cantilevered from the masonry walls. 10 Staircases were detailed with decorative balustrades and many of the rooms, particularly the front room to the first floor, were embellished with decorative plaster ceilings. However, unlike the replicated external treatment, the interior detailing varies considerable in its extent and quality from one property to the next. Again this is related to the speculative nature of the development. The shells of each of the plots were completed by the builders Grews and Scott to the agreement of the Bedford Estate and then the internal finishes were carried out under the patronage of the final purchaser of the plot. The extent and quality of the internal finishes also varies because of the varied adaptations which the interiors have experienced as a result of conversion to alternative uses. Adaptations have involved the removal of key interior pieces such as the fireplaces through to wholesale reconfiguration of the space.
Shortly after no.’s 34-35 became occupied by the AA a series of significant internal modification were made. These included combining the ground floor front rooms of the two properties into one to create a single space most recently used as a lecture theatre. The library on the first floor was also created by Atkinson, and in 1919-21 configured to contain a war memorial. These alterations involved the removal of the staircase and hallway to no. 35. The drawings within Appendix D appear to show the alterations to no.’s 34 and 35 prior to the acquisition of no. 36 and the demolition of the outbuildings and construction of studios and associated teaching spaces to the rear off Morwell Street.
10 Bedford Square An Architectural Study Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 9
Fig 5 No.32 Bedford Square, axonometric 1 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 0
On acquisition of no. 36 circa 1926 further alterations were made which included further extensions at the back, minor internal modifications in the form of removal of lightweight partitions and more major removal of loadbearing walls.
Alterations in the 1960’s by John Winter included a member’s room on the roof. Then further remodelling took place in 1978 by Rick Mather Architects creating a basement bookshop, bar and restaurant and a new exhibition gallery. The series of modifications made and their resulting impact on the fabric have been analysed and documented by Wright and Wright and included in Appendix E.
The occupation by the AA of the properties on Bedford Square, in particular no.’s 34-36, has interest in its own right and is noted within Pevsner and also to the listing text which states;
“The presence of the Architectural Association in one of London’s most important squares did much to promote the special interest and importance of Georgian London, especially amongst the many international architects and writers who came there. Here, for example, Steen Eiler Rasmussen lectured in 1928 and his book on the quintessentials of London architecture, ‘London, the Unique City’, perfectly captures the homely spirit for which London’s Georgian square and terraces have since been venerated.”
The AA holds extensive archives which record numerous significant events. The photographs below from the archives show architects Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier visiting the AA.
Fig 6 Frank Lloyd Wright at the AA, 1950 Fig 7 Le Corbusier visiting the AA, 1953
Although the adaptations that have been carried out to the properties during its occupation by the AA have in areas been significant, each major phase has been expressive of its time. A story of development can therefore be traced. These adaptations could be considered to have interest in their own right. Alongside this consideration it should be noted that in areas the phases of adaptation are difficult to discern by considering the fabric alone. Detailed investigation of the AA archives would be required to establish precisely when and where alterations took place. 1 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 1
3. Assessment of Significance
The following Assessment of Significance has been carried out to inform possible alternative uses of no.’s 33-37 Bedford Sq. Assessment of this kind is a requirement for Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment. Within the guidance document ‘PPS5 Planning for the Historic Environment: Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide’ it states;
“The significance of a heritage asset is the sum of its architectural, historic, artistic or archaeological interest.”
The Practice Guide also refers to the English Heritage document ‘Conservation Principles’ in which four types of heritage value that an asset may hold are identified and are; evidential, historical, aesthetic and communal value. These are suggested as a way of analysing significance.
“Heritage values can help in deciding the most efficient and effective way of managing the heritage asset so as to sustain its overall value to society.”11
The heritage values are detailed below and also refer (in brackets) to the understanding of heritage significance as identified in PPS5 Planning for the Historic Environment (paragraph 5);
- Evidential value – the potential of a place to yield evidence about past human activity (archaeological interest) - Historical value – the ways in which past people, events and aspects of life are connected through a place (historic interest) - Aesthetic value – the ways in which people draw sensory and intellectual stimulation from a place (architectural and artistic interest) - Communal vale – the meanings of a place for the people that relate to it
A statement of significance follows, which considers the relative importance of the heritage assets that define the site. This is classified in the following format;
- Critical to (i.e. critical to the understanding of significance) - Important to - Forms Part of - Detracts from
Following is an assessment of No.’s 33 – 37 Bedford Square using the approach detailed above.
11 PPS5 Planning for the Historic Environment: Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide 1 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 2
No. 33 - Overview This is one of the most recent properties acquired by the AA. It has not been physically linked to the other properties occupied by the AA and functions as a separate unit; as such it appears to retain much of its original configuration. Notable aspects of this property are the retention of internal decoration, such as decorative plaster ceilings, decorative architraves, tiled flooring within the ground floor hallway and fitted shelving within the ground floor rear room which echoes the geometry of the bay window.
The listing notice makes specific reference to the “rear elevation with full height bowed bay. Internal distyle-in-antis screen with capitals derived from the Athenian Tower of the Winds. Plaster ceiling.”
Another notable aspect of this property is the retention of the plot width to the rear onto Morwell Street, this is notable as predominantly the rear plots have been merged (e.g. to no.’s 34-36 and 37-38) and as such the original plot configuration has been lost. The date of the current buildings to the rear of the plot off Morwell Street has not been established but they do not appear to be contemporary with the main dwelling.
No. 33 – Assessment of Significance No. 33 Bedford Square has the potential to yield evidential and historical value in relation to the original configuration of spaces, the original uses of spaces, the construction materials and methods used. As such the internal configuration as well as the plot configuration is critical to the evidential and historical value of the property.
The aesthetic value of the interiors is an important part of the significance of no. 33. Every effort should be made to retain the decorative finishes although it should be recognised that the decorative finishes within no. 33 are not considered to be the best examples within Bedford Square as a whole. The aesthetic value of the exterior, including the original configuration of openings, detailing to the windows and doors, and features such as the iron railings are all critical to the understanding of significance. Each dwelling forms a critical part of the significance of Bedford Square as a whole.
No. 33 has some potential to yield communal value in relation to notable past occupants of the dwelling. As such the communal value forms part of the understanding of significance.
Fig 8 Plaster Ceiling to No. 33 1 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 3
No.’s 34-36 - Overview As previously stated no.’s 34-35 were the first properties to be acquired by the AA, who then shortly after acquired no. 36. Although clearly originally constructed as separate dwellings these three properties now function as one unit and have experienced major interventions to enable them to function as teaching space for the AA. Notable aspects of these properties include, interior semi-circular fanlights, decorative balustrades, ornamental plaster ceilings, panels and friezes, full height bows to the rear elevations. Another notable feature is the balustraded parapet to no. 36. The rears to no.’s 34-36 have been merged to provide a substantial extension in 1926.
No.’s 34-36 – Assessment of Significance No.’s 34 – 36 have some potential to yield evidential and historical value although, the evidential value in particular has been diminished by past interventions. In some areas where the internal configuration has been retained then this is critical to the evidential and historical value of the property. In other areas where significant alterations have been made these detract from the evidential value. However, arguably, the past alterations could now form part of the historical value.
The aesthetic value of the interiors is an important part of the significance of no’s 34-36 although again this has been diminished by past interventions. Where they still exist every effort should be made to retain original decorative finishes although it should be recognised that replications have been made. As with no. 33 the aesthetic value of the exterior, including the original configuration of openings, detailing to the windows and doors, and features such as the iron railings are all critical to the understanding of significance. Where this has been altered in relation to last interventions, i.e. to no. 35 this has been done sensitively so as not to interrupt the elevational rhythm.
No.’s 34-36 have considerable potential to yield communal value, most notably in relation to past occupants of the individual dwellings and also in relation to the AA itself. As such the communal value is important to the understanding of significance.
Fig 9 Plaster Panel to No. 34 1 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 4
No. 37 Overview No. 37 was acquired by the AA circa 1933 and, with no.’s 34-36 completed the main body of the suite of properties which were to function as the AA school until the current day. Notable aspects of no. 37 are its repeated layout but reduction in scale as compared to adjacent dwellings. The doors, windows, parapet height and plan form are all smaller in scale than no.’s 33-36. Within the scope of this study it has not been possible to establish the sequence of alterations carried out to no. 37. However it can be noted that it does appear to retain the original configuration to the main dwelling fronting onto Bedford Square but alterations have been carried out to the rear fronting onto Morwell Street.
No. 37 – Assessment of Significance No. 37 has potential to yield evidential and historical value in relation to the original configuration of spaces, although this has been diminished by the changes that have occurred to the rear of the plot. As such the internal configuration of no. 37 is critical to the evidential and historical understanding.
The aesthetic value of the interiors forms part of the understanding of significance. However the interiors are much simpler than seen in parts within no.’s 33-36 and in areas have lost original detailing. As with the other properties in Bedford Square the aesthetic value and qualities of the exterior are critical to the understanding of significance. It should be noted that the reduction in scale to this dwelling is critical to the legibility of the symmetrical layout of the square.
No. 37 has potential to yield communal value in relation to notable past occupants of the dwelling. As such the communal value forms part of the understanding of significance.
Fig 10 No.’s 36 & 37 1 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 5
Fig 11 Elevation of No. 37 1 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 6
Assessment of Significance – Conclusion Having considered no.’s 33 - 37 on an individual basis; conclusions can be draw as to the significance of the group as a whole. It can be seen that where the original internal configuration is intact this is critical to the understanding of significance particularly in relation to evidential, historical and aesthetic value. The primary elevation to Bedford Square is critical to the significance of this grouping of buildings. Where the plot configuration has been retained to the rear, fronting onto Morwell Street this is important to the understanding of significance. It should also be noted that the potential for no.’s 34-36 in particular; to yield evidential and historical value has been diminished through the process of adaptation. Arguably, because of the significance of the AA’s occupation of the buildings, the adaptations themselves have value. It is particularly interesting to note that the students themselves were involved in the construction of the extension in 1959. Each major phase of works has been expressive of the architectural ideas of the time. As such some of the adaptations have been assessed as forming part of the significance of the buildings.
From these conclusions the following significance plans have been generated. The plans aim to show in diagram form the elements of fabric which are;
- Critical to the understanding of significance and therefore not capable of change (GREEN) - Important to the understanding of significance and therefore change should be avoided (BLUE) - Forms Part of the understanding of significance and therefore may be capable of change (YELLOW) - Detracts from the understanding of significance and is therefore capable of change (RED)
(Note where the shaded plan lines are left uncoloured the original plan layout and history of adaptation are not known and to be studied further.) 1 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 7 1 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 8 1 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 9 2 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 0
4. Issues / Vulnerability
The aim of this section is to define those issues which affect the significance of the site or have potential to do so in the future. Issues may include physical condition, owner’s objectives, present use, boundaries, available resources, external factors, existing knowledge of site, past damage, public and community expectations, access, statutory controls and potential conflicts.12
Published conservation guidance stresses that listed buildings need to be kept in productive use to justify their ongoing maintenance. When a building is listed the listing protection applies to the building complex in its entirety, interior and exterior, including fixtures and fittings and regardless of age or condition. However the purpose of listing is not to prohibit change but rather to properly manage the process of change to enable the buildings to be kept in productive use.
As stated in the introduction, the Architectural Association has decided to relinquish the lease on 33-37 Bedford Square. As such the building owner, The Bedford Estate, is considering a new use for the building.
One possible tenant is an international technology company whose requirements would include the upgrading of services to cope with their technological requirements, together with facilities for public access and additional dedicated parking. They may also wish to sublet part of the building to a separate tenant who would need independent access.
The issues associated with a change of use often lead to the requirement for adaptations to the existing fabric. An exploration of the issues likely to arise in converting the building to any new use is outlined here.
Internal alterations Since their original construction the buildings have proven to be capable of adaptation from their original residential function to other uses such as offices, educational facilities and institutional facilities. In some instances, such as no.’s 34-36, the requirements of the new use have led to significant interventions which have altered the original configuration of the spaces. This has caused the loss of historic fabric. However it should be noted that this has also increased the potential viability for further alternative use.
As highlighted in the previous section, the internal configuration of the spaces is critical to the understanding of significance and therefore any further erosion of original layouts should be avoided. As such any new use should only make alterations to the areas which have been highlighted as capable of change. Any new use will need to be able to function within the existing configuration of spaces where these are critical or important to the significance.
It should be noted that past internal alterations have affected the structural stability of the fabric; any future alterations should carefully consider the accumulative effects of past alterations and potentially consider reinstatement of original layouts if necessary.
Upgrading of services The upgrading of services is likely to be a requirement for any future use of the buildings. Generally the floors are timber and as such floor voids are accessible. The buildings have proven to be capable of adapting to changing servicing requirements over the years and should continue to do so as long as appropriate techniques are used for the installation of services which ensures that historic fabric and finishes are not damaged.
Facilities for public access Consideration of public access requires the possible inclusion of disabled access. A common feature of the properties in the Bloomsbury area is the partially raised ground floor. To some properties in the Bloomsbury area ramped access has been incorporated but as yet none of the properties in Bedford Square have been adapted in this manner. The provision of disabled access is an important issue which should be carefully considered. Legislation relating to access for the disabled
12 ‘Conservation Plans: a guide for the perplexed’ Kate Clark 2 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 1 makes reference to the need for compromise in historic environments where access improvements would conflict with conservation needs. This does not mean that substantial access improvements cannot be achieved to historic buildings but rather than carefully designed solutions are required, and the aim should be to minimise intervention. Internally, disabled access to each level is not currently provided. If this were to be a requirement in the future the same principles would apply. It is likely that the rear extensions dating from 1920’s and 1950’s would be more capable of accommodating lift access. However it is suggested that a feasibility study would be required to establish how disabled access may be achieved to the site and within the buildings themselves without affecting their significance.
Sub-division The properties to Bedford Square have proven to be capable of sub-division. In particular no.’s 33-37 to the west of the square are suitable as the rear plots can be accessed from Morwell Street and sub-divided from the front plots. It should be noted that a number of the properties to Morwell Street have level access and it could be that access for the disabled via Morwell Street is a suitable solution.
Building Regulations Requirements Any change of use, and any sub-division of the site would require the current Building Regulations to be considered. Building Regulation legislation makes reference to the need for compromise in historic environments. However it should be noted that any change of use is likely to require some upgrade of certain provisions such as toilet facilities and fire standards. These alterations would need to be carefully integrated.
Additional dedicated parking The existing parking facilities to Bedford Square and Morwell Street are minimal. However it is considered highly unlikely that dedicated parking could be provided within the footprint of no.’s 33-37. There is precedent for below ground parking beneath the square at Bloomsbury Square. However in assessing whether this would have any viability consideration should be given to the fact that the square itself is of critical importance to the understanding of significance of Bedford Square as a whole. Although landscape works have been carried out in the past which could arguably be stated as having affected the special character, the garden itself is designated Grade II* on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. As such the impact of additional parking on the special characteristics of the garden itself would need to be considered. Assessment relating to below ground parking provision should also consider whether the development will affect an archaeological priority area. Potentially of more impact on this requirement is the fact that existing Local Authority policy is unlikely to support the provision of additional parking. 2 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 2
5. Outline Policies
It has been established that Bedford Square comprises a significantly important and complete example of 18th century town planning. After providing a home for one of the most renowned architecture schools in the country no.’s 33-37 are now to be put to a new use. A vision for the future of these buildings would see the process of adaptation and removal of historic fabric halted and a new use found which requires minimal intervention or intervention which could be accommodated within the areas defined as being capable for change. This could be achieved through a programme of refurbishment and adaptation in response to clearly defined objectives as outlined below;
1. Repair and Maintenance Generally the buildings have been kept in a good standard of repair. The current maintenance regime should be continued in line with the following recommendations;
1.1 Any urgent repairs should be identified and implemented at the earliest opportunity. 1.2 A planned programme of long term repairs should be drawn up and reviewed at regular intervals. 1.3 All repairs should be in accordance with good conservation practice, should match the original construction in both material and quality and be specified and carried out by people suitably qualified in their respective fields. 1.4 All repairs should seek to retain the maximum amount of historic fabric. 1.5 Inappropriate work carried out in the past should be made good in accordance with the above policies.
2. Management
2.1 Detailed research to clarify the sequence of adaptations that have been carried out should be completed making use of the AA Archive. 2.2 A review of the strategic management of the buildings (in terms of potential future uses) which acknowledges the special interest of the square as a whole should be undertaken at the earliest opportunity. 2.3 A review of the operational management issues relating to different uses which acknowledges the special interest of no.’s 33-37 Bedford Sq should be undertaken at the earliest opportunity
3. Future Use and Upgrading
3.1 The Architectural Association have occupied parts of Bedford Square since 1917. It is acknowledged that whilst adaptations have been necessary to enable the buildings to function as an architectural school, there is significance in the fact that the buildings have functioned as the home of the school for many years. The possible continued use by the AA must be interrogated prior to justifying possible alternative uses. 3.2 Potentially damaging or high risk uses, particularly involving third parties unfamiliar with the value and significance of the buildings should be properly managed or else not permitted. 3.3 Future uses which are compatible with the retention of the significance of the existing buildings should be supported. 3.4 Where changes and adaptations are to be implemented they should be accommodated within the areas defined as being capable of change and should be to the highest standards of design. 3.5 Where alterations are proposed to areas currently defined as not being capable for change, the reasons for these changes should be thoroughly interrogated. A strong and compelling justification will be required in relation to the benefits of the changes and whether they outweigh the potential harm which may be caused (in accordance with the requirements of PPS5). The justification should consider whether the changes will be securing long term viability for future uses and will be discounted if it is for short term gains.
All of the suggested policies should be considered alongside the recommendations and policies detailed within the ‘Bloomsbury Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Strategy’, and a schedule for review should be agreed with all interested parties. 2 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 3
Appendices 2 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 4
Appendix A - Bibliography
Ayres, James (1998) Building the Georgian City, Yale University Press
Byrne, Andrew (1990) Bedford Square: An Architectural Study, The Anthlone Press
Camden Conservation and Urban Design Team (2010) Bloomsbury Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Strategy
Clark, Kate (2001) Informed Conservation: Understanding historic buildings and their landscapes for conservation, English Heritage
Gomme, Sir Laurence (1914), Survey of London, Vol. V: The Parish of St. Giles-in-the-Fields pt II, The London Country Council
Pevsner, Nikolaus & Cherry, Bridget (1998) The Buildings of England, London 4: North, Yale University Press
The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, How to: Write Conservation Reports
Summerson, John (1988), Georgian London, Barrie & Jenkins Ltd
Websites
Clark, Kate (1998) Conservation Plans: A Guide for the Perplexed http://www.ihbc.org.uk/context_archive/57/perplexed/guide.html
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=74310#s6
http://www.aaschool.ac.uk/AALIFE/LIBRARY/aahistory.php
http://www.parksandgardens.ac.uk/component/option,com_parksandgardens/task,site/id,337/Itemid,292/ 2 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 5
Appendix B - Listing Notices List Entry Page 1 of 5
List Entry Summary
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Name: NUMBERS 28-38 AND ATTACHED RAILINGS
List Entry Number: 1244548
Location
26, 26A AND 27, MORWELL STREET NUMBERS 28-38 AND ATTACHED RAILINGS, 28-38, BEDFORD SQUARE
The building may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
County: Greater London Authority District: Camden District Type: London Borough Parish:
National Park: Not applicable to this List entry.
Grade: I
Date first listed: 24-Oct-1951
Date of most recent amendment: 11-Jan-1999
Legacy System Information
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System: LBS
UID: 476700
Asset Groupings
This List entry does not comprise part of an Asset Grouping. Asset Groupings are not part of the official record but are added later for information.
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List Entry Description
Summary of Building
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Reasons for Designation
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History
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Details
CAMDEN
TQ2981NE BEDFORD SQUARE 798-1/99/78 (West side) 24/10/51 Nos.28-38 (Consecutive) and attached railings (Formerly Listed as: BEDFORD SQUARE Nos.1-54 (Consecutive))
GV I
Includes: Nos.26, 26A AND 27 MORWELL STREET. Terrace of 11 houses forming the west side of a square. 1776-1781. All built by W Scott and R Grews; perhaps designed either by Thomas Leverton or Robert Palmer; for the Bedford Estate. Nos 28-36 form a symmetrical terrace. Yellow stock brick with evidence on most of the houses of tuck pointing. Plain stucco band at 1st floor level. The centre house, No.32, is stuccoed. Slate mansard roofs with dormers and tall slab chimney-stacks. EXTERIOR: 3 storeys, attics and basements. 3 windows each. Recessed round-headed entrances with Coade stone vermiculated intermittent voussoirs and bands; mask keystones. Enriched impost bands and cornice-heads to doors. Side lights to panelled doors, some 2-leaf. Fanlights, mostly radial patterned. Gauged brick flat arches to recessed sashes, most with glazing bars. The following have cast-iron balconies to 1st floor windows: Nos 29 & 30, 32-36 & 38. Cornice and parapets, Nos 28 & 36 with balustraded parapets. INTERIORS not inspected save for Nos 34-36, but noted to contain original stone stairs with cast and wrought-iron balusters of various scroll designs, decoration and features; special features as mentioned: No.28: 3 window return to Bayley Street, 1 blind. Rear
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elevation with full height bow. Major renovation in 1910. 3 plaster ceilings, one dating from the renovation. No.29: rear elevation with full height canted bay, bowed internally. A plaster ceiling. No.30: rear elevation with full height bowed bay. Fine ceilings, one with painted cameos. No.31: rear elevation with full height bowed bay. 2 fine ceilings. No.32: rusticated ground floor; 4 Ionic pilasters rise through the 1st and 2nd storeys to support a frieze, with roundels above each pilaster, and pediment with delicate swag and roundel enrichment on the tympanum. At 2nd floor level a continuous enriched band running behind the pilasters.
Entrance of Doric columns supporting an entablature beneath the fanlight; double panelled doors. Rear elevation with full height bowed bay. INTERIOR detailing and joinery particularly good. No.33: rear elevation with full height bowed bay. Internal distyle-in-antis screen with capitals derived from the Athenian Tower of the Winds. Plaster ceiling. No.37: rear elevation with full height bowed bay. Original wine cellar in the basement. No.38: a late C19 timber staircase. Some houses with original lead rainwater heads and pipes. Nos 34 and 35 acquired by the Architectural Association - Britain's first full-time school of architecture - in 1917, whose Head and, from 1920, Director of Education, was Robert Atkinson. In 1919-21 he made many alterations and added studios to the rear, which latter are of very austere design. Ground floor and first-floor front rooms made into one, now respectively lecture room and library, with missing mouldings to No.34 matched up with those surviving in No.35. This includes first-floor ceiling to No.34. First-floor library is a war memorial, with fitted bookcases by Atkinson and a memorial tablet to fallen members, unveiled 1921 and recarved after 1945 to commemorate both World Wars. No.35 has no staircase, but retains some fireplaces and original mouldings. Both houses have rear elevations with full-height bowed bays. No.36 also with full-height bowed bay to rear. SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: attached cast-iron railings to areas with urn or torch flambe finials. Most houses with good wrought-iron foot scrapers. HISTORICAL NOTE: the houses in Bedford Square form a most important and complete example of C18 town planning. Built as a speculation, it is not clear who designed all the houses. Leverton was a country house architect and may have been involved with only the grander houses; he lived at No.13 (qv). Palmer was the Bedford Estate surveyor and may be responsible for the vagaries of the square. The majority of the plots leased by the estate were taken by Robert Grews, a carpenter,
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and William Scott, a brickmaker. No.35 was the residence of Thomas Wakley, reformer & founder of The Lancet, also of Thomas Hodgkin, physician, reformer & philanthropist (LCC/ GLC plaques). No.36 was acquired by the Architectural Association in 1927 and adapted as offices and members' rooms by Atkinson, who added more studios to the rear - these last again of very simple design. The presence of the Architectural Association in one of London's most important squares did much to promote the special interest and importance of Georgian London, especially amongst the many international architects and
writers who came there. Here, for example, Steen Eiler Rasmussen lectured in 1928 and his book on the quintessentials of London architecture, 'London, the Unique City', perfectly captures the homely spirit for which London's Georgian squares and terraces have since been venerated. (Byrne A: Bedford Square, An architectural study: London: -1990; Summerson J: The Architectural Association, a Centenary History: Architectural Association: -1948).
CAMDEN
TQ2981NE MORWELL STREET 798-1/99/78 Nos.26, 26A AND 27 24/10/51
GV I
See under: Nos.28-38 and attached railings BEDFORD SQUARE.
Listing NGR: TQ2973981622
Selected Sources
1. Book Reference - Author: A Byrne - Title: Bedford Square An Architectural Study - Date: 1990 2. Book Reference - Author: J Summerson - Title: The Architectural Association a Centenary History - Date: 1948
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Map
National Grid Reference: TQ 29777 81604
The below map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. For a copy of the full scale map, please see the attached PDF - 1244548.pdf
© Crown Copyright and database right 2011. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019088. © British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited 2011. All rights reserved. Licence number 102006.006.
This copy shows the entry on 24-Jun-2011 at 11:49:58.
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List Entry Summary
This garden or other land is registered under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 within the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens by English Heritage for its special historic interest.
Name: BEDFORD SQUARE
List Entry Number: 1000245
Location
The garden or other land may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
County: Greater London Authority District: Camden District Type: London Borough Parish:
National Park: Not applicable to this List entry.
Grade: II*
Date first registered: 01-Oct-1987
Date of most recent amendment: Not applicable to this List entry.
Legacy System Information
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System: Parks and Gardens
UID: 1154
Asset Groupings
This List entry does not comprise part of an Asset Grouping. Asset Groupings are not part of the official record but are added later for information.
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List Entry Description
Summary of Garden
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Reasons for Designation
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History
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Details
Late C18 private square, forming part of the Bedford Estate, re-landscaped in the 1870s.
HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT
By the end of the C17 the Russell family owned extensive estates in London, including that of Bloomsbury, a large area now bounded by Tottenham Court Road to the west, New Oxford Street to the south, Euston Road to the north, and Woburn Place and Southampton Row to the east.
The Bloomsbury Estate was developed from the 1660s to the 1850s. In the first phase Bloomsbury Square and Great Russell Street were laid out. In 1723 the Bloomsbury Estate became part of the Bedford Estate. By Rocque's survey of 1762 the 'New Road' (Euston Road) had been laid out, enclosing the Estate to the north, but the land to the south remained largely undeveloped as Lamb's Conduit Fields. In 1776 building agreements were granted for Bedford Square and a second phase in the development of the Bloomsbury Estate started, transforming the pasture fields into a planned estate. The Square became the focal point of a new grid of streets to the west, north and south and although this was to take eighty years to complete, the design was harmonious and ensured the unity of the whole. The overall plan of the Estate was based on the existing pattern of closes and field boundaries, hence the variations in the size and shapes of the squares.
Bedford Square was built between 1776 and 1780 and was probably the work of Thomas Leverton, as well as the builder/contractors William Scott and Robert Grews. Each side of the Square was treated as a single unit. The houses were plain brick with wrought-iron balconies to the first-floor windows and the doors were decorated with Coade stone. The central house on each side was stuccoed, pedimented and had a pilastered five-bay centre. The Square was the first garden square with an imposed architectural uniformity and it set the style for garden squares in London through the late C18 and early C19.
The Duke of Bedford's Trustees undertook to make the garden and lay out the surrounding roadway but the work was carried out by Scott and Grews, under the direction of Robert Palmer, the chief agent of the fourth Duke. The layout in the C19 (as seen in Hewitt's Plan of the Bloomsbury Estate, c 1820s and the 1st edition OS map of 1870) consisted of a perimeter shrubbery and path, with serpentine paths leading from the west, north, east and south to a central feature (planting in the early C19 and an
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hexagonal pavilion by 1870). In the late C19 the design was changed to the present one, which involved moving the pavilion to the west of the garden and removing the paths that crossed the centre. These changes required little alteration to the planting.
The Bloomsbury Estate was enclosed with a system of gates, which were erected in the early to mid C19 to guarantee the residents protection and privacy. The gates and lodges were removed between 1891 and 1893; those protecting Bedford Square in 1893.
Bedford Square residents have included: Lord Eldon, the Lord Chancellor (whose daughter eloped with G S Repton, son of Humphry Repton who designed the neighbouring Bloomsbury and Russell Squares); Thomas Leverton, the architect of the square; the second Duke of Devonshire; William Butterfield, architect; and H H Asquith, Prime Minister.
Most of the houses in the Square are now offices. The houses in the Square (Nos.1-54) are all intact and are listed grade I.
DESCRIPTION
LOCATION, AREA, BOUNDARIES, LANDFORM, SETTING Bedford Square, 1ha, is located to the east of Tottenham Court Road and west of the British Museum, in Bloomsbury. The garden, which is on level ground, is enclosed by late C18 cast-iron railings with spearhead finials (listed grade II with the gates). The gardens and railings, both in an oval shape, are surrounded by the buildings of the Square, which are on a rectangular plan. Gower Street and Bloomsbury Street run down the east side of the Square. Bayley Street runs east/west from the north-west corner of the Square, connecting it to Tottenham Court Road.
ENTRANCES AND APPROACHES There are entrances to the gardens on the north and south sides through late C18 gates with wrought-iron overthrows (listed grade II with the railings).
GARDENS AND PLEASURE GROUNDS The centre of the gardens consists of an oval of lawn surrounded by a perimeter path. Between the perimeter path and the railings there are shrubberies, punctuated by small areas of grass, each set with a mature plane tree. Opposite these grassy openings are internal shrub groups on the inner side of the perimeter path. These maintain privacy but because all the shrubbery groups are pierced, views can be glimpsed into and out of the gardens, and from the perimeter path into the centre of the gardens. The shrub groups include laurustinus, holly, laurel, privet and sorbus.
Further mature plane trees are thinly scattered across the lawn and within the shrubberies and beds. An hexagonal pavilion (restored) is placed on the inside of the perimeter path to the west. This is closed on three sides and backed by shrubberies but is open on the three east-facing sides, giving views over the gardens. In the same position on the eastern side there is a compost heap and maintenance area, enclosed by shrubberies. There are two large semicircular beds, containing a mixture of shrubs and herbaceous plants, inset on the north and south sides. Benches are placed around the edge of the lawn.
REFERENCES
E B Chancellor, The History of the Squares of London (1907), pp 202-10 D J Olsen, Town Planning in London (1984 edn)
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B Cherry and N Pevsner, The Buildings of England: London 4: North (1998), pp 323-5
Maps John Rocque, Plan of London on the same Scale as that of Paris ...1762 with new improvements 1766 Cary, Plan of London, 1787 Richard Horwood, Plan of the Cities of London and Westminster, 2nd edn 1813 N R Hewitt, Plan of the Bloomsbury Estate, c 1820s (private collection) Wallis, Guide for Strangers, 1828 Stanford's Library Map of London and its Suburbs, 1862 Stanford's Library Map of London and its Suburbs, 1877
OS 25" to 1 mile: 1st edition surveyed 1870 2nd edition published 1894 3rd edition published 1914
Description written: August 1998 Amended: March 1999 Register Inspector: CB Edited: May 2000
Selected Sources
Legacy Record - This information may be included in the List Entry Details.
Map
National Grid Reference: TQ 29840 81662
The below map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. For a copy of the full scale map, please see the attached PDF - 1000245.pdf
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© Crown Copyright and database right 2011. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019088. © British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited 2011. All rights reserved. Licence number 102006.006.
This copy shows the entry on 24-Jun-2011 at 11:47:40.
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List Entry Summary
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Name: GARDEN HOUSE IN PRIVATE GARDEN IN MIDDLE OF SQUARE
List Entry Number: 1244552
Location
GARDEN HOUSE IN PRIVATE GARDEN IN MIDDLE OF SQUARE, BEDFORD SQUARE
The building may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
County: Greater London Authority District: Camden District Type: London Borough Parish:
National Park: Not applicable to this List entry.
Grade: II
Date first listed: 11-Jan-1999
Date of most recent amendment: Not applicable to this List entry.
Legacy System Information
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System: LBS
UID: 476706
Asset Groupings
This List entry does not comprise part of an Asset Grouping. Asset Groupings are not part of the official record but are added later for information.
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List Entry Description
Summary of Building
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Reasons for Designation
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History
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Details
CAMDEN
TQ2981NE BEDFORD SQUARE 798-1/99/1774 Garden House in private garden in middle of square
GV II
Garden house. Mid C19. Wooden octagonal Chinoiserie structure. Chamfered columns, openwork spandrels with circles and quatrefoils, projecting eaves. Ball and spike finial to roof. Benches with latticed ends inside a part of the composition. The garden house dates from pre-1866 and was moved to present location at west end of square from centre of gardens in 1874. (Byrne A: Bedford Square: London: -1990: 55-56).
Listing NGR: TQ2981381642
Selected Sources
1. Book Reference - Author: A Byrne - Title: Bedford Square An Architectural Study - Date: 1990 - Page References: 55,56
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Map
National Grid Reference: TQ 29813 81642
The below map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. For a copy of the full scale map, please see the attached PDF - 1244552.pdf
© Crown Copyright and database right 2011. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019088. © British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited 2011. All rights reserved. Licence number 102006.006.
This copy shows the entry on 24-Jun-2011 at 11:51:16.
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List Entry Summary
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Name: THIRTY SEVEN LAMP STANDARDS AROUND THE SQUARE
List Entry Number: 1244555
Location
THIRTY SEVEN LAMP STANDARDS AROUND THE SQUARE, BEDFORD SQUARE
The building may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
County: Greater London Authority District: Camden District Type: London Borough Parish:
National Park: Not applicable to this List entry.
Grade: II
Date first listed: 14-May-1974
Date of most recent amendment: Not applicable to this List entry.
Legacy System Information
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System: LBS
UID: 476708
Asset Groupings
This List entry does not comprise part of an Asset Grouping. Asset Groupings are not part of the official record but are added later for information.
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List Entry Description
Summary of Building
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Reasons for Designation
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History
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Details
CAMDEN
TQ2981NE BEDFORD SQUARE 798-1/99/82 Thirty seven lamp standards around 14/05/74 the square
GV II
37 lamp standards around Bedford Square. Mid C19. Cast-iron ornamented standards and altered lanterns of Nico type, some with ladder bars.
Listing NGR: TQ2985181621
Selected Sources
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Map
National Grid Reference: TQ 29851 81621
The below map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. For a copy of the full scale map, please see the attached PDF - 1244555.pdf
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© Crown Copyright and database right 2011. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019088. © British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited 2011. All rights reserved. Licence number 102006.006.
This copy shows the entry on 24-Jun-2011 at 11:52:07.
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List Entry Summary
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Name: RAILINGS AND GATES TO PRIVATE GARDEN IN MIDDLE OF SQUARE
List Entry Number: 1244554
Location
RAILINGS AND GATES TO PRIVATE GARDEN IN MIDDLE OF SQUARE, BEDFORD SQUARE
The building may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
County: Greater London Authority District: Camden District Type: London Borough Parish:
National Park: Not applicable to this List entry.
Grade: II
Date first listed: 24-Oct-1951
Date of most recent amendment: Not applicable to this List entry.
Legacy System Information
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System: LBS
UID: 476707
Asset Groupings
This List entry does not comprise part of an Asset Grouping. Asset Groupings are not part of the official record but are added later for information.
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List Entry Description
Summary of Building
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Reasons for Designation
Legacy Record - This information may be included in the List Entry Details.
History
Legacy Record - This information may be included in the List Entry Details.
Details
CAMDEN
TQ2981NE BEDFORD SQUARE 798-1/99/81 Railings and gates to private garden 24/10/51 in middle of square
GV II
Railings and gates to private garden in middle of square. 1776-1781. Plain cast-iron bracketed railings with spearhead finials. Garden gates on north and south sides with wrought-iron overthrows. The gates were listed on 14/05/74.
Listing NGR: TQ2978781647
Selected Sources
Legacy Record - This information may be included in the List Entry Details.
Map
National Grid Reference: TQ 29787 81647
The below map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. For a copy of the full scale map, please see the attached PDF - 1244554.pdf
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© Crown Copyright and database right 2011. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019088. © British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited 2011. All rights reserved. Licence number 102006.006.
This copy shows the entry on 24-Jun-2011 at 11:50:42.
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Appendix C - List of Previous Occupiers 2 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 7
Residents of Nos.33 37 Bedford Square based on Appendix 1 in Byrne’s Bedford Square: an architectural study (1990) and the Post Office Directories (1869 1990) No.33 1782 1813 Oliver Farrer, barrister 1813 1815 Mrs Farrer 1815 1829 James William Farrer, barrister 1830 1831 Thomas Glanville 1831 1851 Sir John Patteson, appointed judge in the Court of the King’s Bench in 1830, knighted in 1831 1852 empty 1853 1861 John Dawson, solicitor 1861 1874 Mrs Maria Dawson 1875 1877 George Brocklebank 1878 Empty 1879 1882 Edmund Meredith Cross, merchant of preserved meats, etc 1882 1901 Charles Best 1902 1903 empty 1904 Long Peter de Lande 1905 1912 Lady Monckton 1913 1919 Miss Gregory 1920 1977 Bishop of London Fund, East London Church Fund, London Diocesan Fund and other church based charities 1978 1990 empty (Post Office Directories conflict with Byrne’s list, which states that Gardiner & Theobald are current occupants in 1990) ???? present The Architectural Association No.34 1779 1784 Mary Jurin, wife of Dr Jurin 1784 1788 James Watson 1788 1793 George Hardinge, Queen’s Solicitor General and MP for Old Sarum, Wiltshire 1793 1795 Mrs Lee 1795 1798 Henry Gawler, Barrister 1798 1804 Alexander Cuthbert 1804 1813 Duncan Campbell 1815 1818 Mrs Campbell 1818 1828 Thomas Yuille 1832 empty 1833 1850 Charles Hensch 1850 1854 Frederick John Reed, solicitor 1867 1912 Hasler Harris, dental surgeon 1913 1917 empty 1917 present The Architectural Association 2 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 8
No.35 1779 1781 George Hardinge (see no.34, 1788 1793) 1781 1786 John Heath, judge, sergeant at law, refused a knighthood 1786 1792 Jacob Bosanquet, a director of the East India Company 1792 1796 James Wildman 1796 1799 Samuel Young 1799 1804 Alexander Willock, merchant of 4 Tokenhouse Yard, Lothbury 1804 1807 Sir Thomas Manners Sutton, Solicitor General to the King 1807 1808 Sir Edward Carrington 1808 1815 John Wedderburn 1815 1826 Matthew White 1827 Empty 1828 1848 Thomas Wakley, reformer, surgeon and founder of The Lancet (1823), MP for Finsbury 1849 1866 Thomas Hodgkin, physician, member of the Senate of University of London, philanthropist 1866 1868 Mrs Sarah Francis Hodgkin 1868 1872 Howard Holden 1872 1874 General George Campbell 1875 1894 Frederik Battam Pankhurst 1895 Empty 1896 1913 John Melton Drummond Black 1914 empty 1915 1916 Cecil Benson 1917 present The Architectural Association No.36 1779 1783 Edward Bearcroft, barrister 1783 1786 John Allen 1786 1816 John Heath (see no.35, 1781 1786) 1816 1836 Sir Robert Graham, judge, Attorney General to the Prince of Wales, knighted in 1800 1837 Empty 1838 1843 Dr Abraham Toulmin, physician 1843 1847 Thomas King, surgeon 1848 Empty 1849 1881 Dr Samuel Richards, physician 1881 1888 Dr Smith Richards, surgeon 1888 1906 Edward Augustus Harbord, surgeon 1907 1916 Herbert Robertson 1917 1918 Mrs Robertston 1919 Belgian Consultate General 1920 1921 Belgian Consultate General; Robert Atkinson 1922 Robert Atkinson 1923 present The Architectural Association (shared with Robert Atkinson and other architects until 1931) 2 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 9
No.37 Information on residents up to 1869 not available 1869 empty 1870 “ 1875 “ 1880 Edward Isaac Cohen 1885 “ 1990 “ 1895 Frederick Batter 1900 1901 John Davis 1902 1903 John Caldbeck Eaton 1904 Edward Hart 1905 1915 Mrs Hamilton King 1916 1926 Belgian Consulate General 1927 1928 empty 1929 Alfred Knopf Ltd, publishers 1930 Alfred Knopf Ltd, publishers; Upton, Britton & Lumb, solicitors; Modern Textiles, decorative design 1935 Upton, Britton & Lumb, solicitors; Miss Coles 1940 Upton, Britton & Lumb, solicitors; Medical Publisheres Ltd; Rich & Cowan Ltd, publishers; Delahaye Lt Col, Jas. Viner DSO, MC 1945 Upton, Britton & Lumb, solicitors; Rich & Cowan Ltd, publishers; Library Press Ltd, publishers 1948 Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) National Council; Upton, Britton & Lumb, solicitors 1950 YMCA National Council 1955 “ 1960 YMCA National Council; Ernest Good & Co, chartered surveyors; Godfrey Stewart Agar, surveyor 1965 YMCA National Council; Ernest Good & Co, chartered surveyors; Godfrey Stewart Agar, surveyor; Garber, Vowles & Co, solicitors 1970 YMCA National Council; Garber, Vowles & Co, solicitors; Cameron & Middleton, chartered quantity surveyors 1976 empty 1980 “ 1985 Intelligent Software Ltd, computer software designers 1990 empty ???? present The Architectural Association Notes on the listing of AA in Post Office Directories: in 1947, it first appeared as two separate listings – The Architectural Association Inc (nos.33 36) and The Architectural Association School of Architecture. Before this there is no reference to the school from c.1970, it is listed as one entity the listings in mid 20th century occasionally include no.37 (e.g. in 1932, 1948), suggesting that the AA took some rooms in shared offices there, in addition to their full scale 3 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 0
Appendix D - Plans from the AA Archive
3 Conservation Statement: 33-37 Bedford Square 1
Appendix E - Development Plans by Wright and Wright