Domus, 542 Colne Road, Reedley Hallows, Burnley Case

English Heritage Advice Report 12 June 2012 Case Name: Domus, 542 Colne Road, Reedley Hallows, Burnley

Case Number: 468307

Background The applicant requested that Domus be assessed for listing as it was up for sale and as it stands in a large plot there were concerns that it could be demolished. The applicant stated that it has architectural interest as a characteristic modernist 1950s property which retains much of its period interior.

The building has since been withdrawn from sale. It is not in a Conservation Area, nor is it mentioned in the Post-War Listing Recommendations on Private Houses of 1995.

Asset(s) under Assessment Facts about the asset(s) can be found in the Annex(es) to this report.

Annex List Entry Number Name Heritage Category EH Recommendation 1 1408101 Domus, 542 Colne Listing Add to List Road, Burnley

Visits Date Visit Type 28 September 2011 Full inspection

Context The applicant requested that Domus be assessed due to its architectural interest as a modernist late 1950s property which retains much of its period interior. The applicant was concerned that there was a threat, as the house stands in a large plot and at the time of application was up for sale, although it has since been withdrawn from the market.

The house does not stand in a Conservation Area. It has not been assessed for listing previously, and the house was not considered in the Post-War Listing Recommendations on Private Houses researched for English Heritage in 1995, although this was not exhaustive.

Assessment CONSULTATION The owner, applicant, and local authority were consulted. No responses were received.

DISCUSSION The statutory criteria for designating a building are its special architectural interest or historic interest (Principles of Selection for Listing Buildings, March 2010). Due to the relatively recent date of post-war houses, selection criteria are strict and in order for a building to qualify for inclusion on the statutory list it required high levels of architectural quality, stylistic innovation, intactness, and decoration.

Domus was built in 1958 in a post-war 'contemporary' style, a form of modernism developed from the enthusiasm for the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Marcel Breuer, and Scandinavian architects. Such houses combined open planning with a mixture of materials and irregular plans. Domus is typically reticent, being located in the grounds of an older house, presenting no elevation to the street and keeping low beneath a flat roof. The slope of the land is cleverly utilised so whilst the house is low and single storey when approached, the private, rear elevation opens out over two storeys, with the principal rooms facing onto the landscaped garden, this aspect being exploited by the extensive use of large windows, and balconies. The materials used were simple and thoughtfully chosen, with an attractive dark brown brick contrasting with the white rendered concrete and large expanses of glazing to create clean lines, the restrained palette of brown and white offset

Page 1 of 7 English Heritage Advice Report 12 June 2012 on the approach elevation by a splash of red in the tall, narrow windows of coloured glass, which though replacements, replicate the original arrangement. The shapes and proportions of the component parts of the house are counterbalanced by the raised rectangular pool of grey, unshaped slate.

Whilst the exterior remains largely as built, down to original details such as the motorised steel concertina garage door, and hexagonal patio tiles, the original hard-wood window frames have been replaced by white uPVC frames. However, whilst it would have been preferable to have wooden frames, the original glazing patterns have been respected, and as the windows in the main elevations are full-height picture windows, the ratio of glazing to frame is such that they do not unduly compromise the overall appearance of the house.

Inside, Domus retains its original layout virtually unaltered. The house was designed by Alan Chambers, and the bespoke nature of the design clearly shows that he consulted closely with the Cooksons as clients to design a house fitting to their lifestyle. They did not have children and thus the whole of the lower ground floor was used as a socialising and hobby space, with a dedicated party room opening onto the patio, a large double garage, and a dark room (now used as a bedroom). On the main ground floor, the use of open-plan living areas, together with the change in ceiling heights, creates a sense of spaciousness, whilst the enclosing walls of the bedrooms provides a contrast between shared and separate zones within the house. There was an emphasis upon luxury particularly in the master bedroom, with its balcony, ensuite bathroom, and separate dressing room, and also on flexibility, with the second bedroom designed with a concertina wall enabling part to be used as an office space, with a hatch through to the adjacent smaller room used by the company secretary.

The interior displays a high level of attention to detail throughout. Contrasting flooring is used to denote different areas of use, most obviously apparent in the bold terrazzo tiles used for the entrance hall and to form a virtual corridor to the kitchen, and the large cream tiles used in the open plan living and dining room. This was an idea that originated in the United States in the late 1930s/40s with architects such as Marcel Breuer who developed the idea of expressing different planes in different materials; the bold terrazzo tiles abut the enclosing bedroom walls, which have full-height walnut panelling incorporating wall-height doors treated in the same manner to seamlessly blend into the wall plane.

The quality of materials used and craftsmanship is evident in the many original fixtures and fittings surviving throughout the house. Most spectacular is the party room, which retains a circular under-lit glass dance floor and original bar and fixed stools, together with an original light-box art installation, and original acoustic ceiling tiles. Elsewhere, extensive use is made of wood both for panelling and built-in furniture. The bedroom wardrobes and dressing tables are treated as key architectural elements as well as functional space-saving devices; the silky oak veneer used in the master bedroom is continued round onto the adjoining wall in the form of panelling containing concealed full-height doors to the ensuite bathroom and dressing room. Original light switches are retained, as are original aluminium doors handles, much of the sanitary ware, including the bath in the main bathroom, and fittings such as the metal towel loops. These all combine to reinforce the period feel of the house.

The only substantial alterations carried out to the interior since the house's construction have been the replacement of the kitchen units, the removal of the end-wall built-in unit in the living room and introduction of a suspended teardrop stove, the introduction of radiators to replace the failed under-floor heating, and the refitting of the ensuite bathroom, though here some fittings have been reused. The work has, however, been carried out sympathetically to style of the house, and as such does not compromise the special interest of the house, which remains intact.

The quality and execution of the design, and quality of materials used for Domus speak for themselves. Generally only those post-war houses that were used by architects to attract future commissions were published and research has tended to concentrate on buildings in the south-east of England. Good survivals of small houses from the post-war period with little alteration are now rare, as houses of this size (and the locations they tend to inhabit) are often subject to considerable alteration and development pressure. Domus stands as a good and increasingly rare example of a small post-war modern house that is little altered, and which is individual, coherent and well detailed in its design. As such, within a national context it successfully fulfils the criteria for listing. Consequently it is recommended that Domus should be added to the statutory list.

CONCLUSION After examining all the records and other relevant information and having carefully considered the architectural and historic interest of this case, the criteria for listing are fulfilled. Domus, 542 Colne Road, Reedley Hallows, is therefore recommended for listing at Grade II.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION DECISION

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Domus, 542 Colne Road, Reedley Hallows, built in 1958 by Alan Chambers for the Cooksons, is recommended for designation at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * Architectural quality: as a good and increasingly rare example of a carefully designed small post-war modern house displaying design influences from both the United States and Scandinavia, and clearly reflecting the lifestyle of the owners for whom it was built; * Planning interest: the house cleverly utilises the slope of the land with a low, single storey giving privacy from the road whilst opening out over two storeys to the main garden elevation onto which the principal rooms face, this aspect being exploited by the extensive use of large picture windows and balconies; * Layout: the original layout survives virtually unaltered, with whole of the lower ground floor dedicated to socialising and hobbies with a party room opening onto the patio, a double garage, and a large darkroom (now used as a bedroom), whilst the spatial organisation of the main ground floor illustrates the post-war concept of open-plan living, and the contrast between shared (living area) and separate (bedroom) zones; * Materials: a variety of quality materials are used throughout to provide contrasting forms and textures; * Fixtures and fittings: many original and individually designed details surviving, the most spectacular of which are found in the party room with its circular under-lit glass dance floor, bar counter with fixed stools, original light-box installation and acoustic ceiling tiles. Elsewhere extensive use is made of wood for panelling, with full-height concealed doors, and for built-in furniture, whilst other features include a wooden open tread staircase, terrazzo floor tiles, original light switches, aluminium door handles, metal towel loops and many sanitary fittings, including the bath.

Countersigning comments:

Agreed: Domus is a bold Modernist post-War house, responding to the fashions of the time. It has undergone remarkably little alteration since construction and demonstrates the high levels of architectural interest and intactness which justify designation in the national context.

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List Entry

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: Domus, 542 Colne Road, Burnley

List Entry Number: 1408101

Location 542 Colne Road, Burnley, BB10 2LD

The building may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County District District Type Parish Lancashire Pendle District Authority Reedley Hallows

National Park: Not applicable to this List entry.

Grade: II

Date first listed: Date of most recent amendment:

Legacy System Information The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System: Not applicable to this List entry. Legacy Number: Not applicable to this List entry.

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.

List Entry Description

Summary of Building House. 1958 by Alan Chambers for Eric Cookson and his wife. Contemporary modern style.

Reasons for Designation Domus, 542 Colne Road, Reedley Hallows is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

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* Architectural quality: as a good and increasingly rare example of a carefully designed small post-war modern house displaying design influences from both the United States and Scandinavia, and clearly reflecting the lifestyle of the owners for whom it was built; * Planning interest: the house cleverly utilises the slope of the land with a low, single storey giving privacy from the road whilst opening out over two storeys to the main garden elevation onto which the principal rooms face, this aspect being exploited by the extensive use of large picture windows and balconies; * Layout: the original layout survives virtually unaltered, with whole of the lower ground floor dedicated to socialising and hobbies with a party room opening onto the patio, a double garage, and a large darkroom (now used as a bedroom), whilst the spatial organisation of the main ground floor illustrates the post-war concept of open-plan living, and the contrast between shared (living area) and separate (bedroom) zones; * Materials: a variety of quality materials are used throughout to provide contrasting forms and textures; * Fixtures and fittings: many original and individually designed details surviving, the most spectacular of which are found in the party room with its circular under-lit glass dance floor, bar counter with fixed stools, original light-box installation and acoustic ceiling tiles. Elsewhere extensive use is made of wood for panelling, with full-height concealed doors, and for built-in furniture, whilst other features include a wooden open tread staircase, terrazzo floor tiles, original light switches, aluminium door handles, metal towel loops and many sanitary fittings, including the bath.

History Domus was built in 1958 for Eric Cookson and his wife. Cookson was managing director of Howarth Construction, a local firm who were responsible for the 1950s redevelopment of Burnley's shopping centre around St James Street, where the firm built fifteen two-storey shops and the Empress Hotel. Domus was designed by Alan Chambers and built by Howarth Construction. It was built in the grounds of a large house identified as Reedley Lodge on historic Ordnance Survey maps and now demolished. It has not been possible to locate original building regulation plans for Domus.

The Cooksons continued to live in the house until the beginning of the C21, and the present owners purchased it around nine years ago. Prior to that the house had lain empty for two years and had been damaged by damp. The new owners undertook a sympathetic renovation. The original window frames were teak and had rotted so were replaced throughout with uPVC frames to the same glazing patterns. The house was re-roofed, the terolean render replaced, and the balcony handrails replaced like-for-like. A projecting screen wall flanking the inset porch of the main entrance doorway was re-faced with crazy patterned stonework: some original large marble panels remain within the porch. Internally, the original under-floor heating was no longer working efficiently and so radiators were introduced throughout. The original wooden kitchen units and two stainless steel sinks were replaced with a modern fitted kitchen.

Details MATERIALS: brown brick with concrete floor and wall plates rendered to exterior.

PLAN: the house has a T-shaped plan built into the hillside to provide a ground floor over a smaller lower ground floor, with the main elevations facing over a large garden to the west. A rectangular block, containing an open plan living and dining room on the ground floor, runs north-south, with lower wings on either side at the north end . The kitchen, bedrooms and associated rooms, are also located on the ground floor. The lower ground floor is reached by a staircase from the entrance hallway. It has a large party room, a dark room, now a bedroom, and a large double garage.

EXTERIOR: the main elevation of the house is the two-level west front overlooking the garden. It comprises a flat-roofed block running north-south with a lower wing projecting to the left, a square, raised rectangular pool projecting to the right, and an original patio area in the middle. Strong horizontal lines are formed by the white rendered concrete floor and wall plates, with brown bricks used for the outer walls and the lower-ground floor walls and structural walls of the wing. The main block has slender square-section concrete columns supporting the floor plate and the shallow concrete vaults of the open-plan living space. The wing has an original motorised steel concertina door for a double garage on the lower ground floor. At its right-hand end is an original spiral staircase rising to a full-width concrete balcony with metal balustrading and a square-section timber handrail. Both the master bedroom and the kitchen have full-height picture windows with sliding panes opening onto the balcony. The main block has picture windows on both floors; the lower level has a sliding pane opening onto the patio, the upper level has a sliding pane opening onto a similarly detailed balcony the width of the right-hand bay, and shallow, segmental clerestorey windows. The balcony overhangs the raised, shallow pool, which has walls of grey, unshaped slate. The pool is fed by drainage water from the roof, which runs in a channel beneath the upper level of the house and cascades down three steps into the pool, before

Page 5 of 7 English Heritage Advice Report 12 June 2012 being pumped back up again. The patio has original hexagonal tiling. In front of the patio is a large circle formed of stone setts.

The drive approaches the house from the east, and from here it appears as a single-level building. A lower wing projects to the right. It contains the main entrance doorway set to the rear of an open internal porch in its south elevation. The side walls of the porch are faced in original marble panels, the projecting screen wall to the left-hand side of slate steps has crazy patterned stonework The original timber door has a single glass panel and side light with letter box. The entrance is flanked by shallow, curved stone walls forming flower beds. To the right of the doorway is a full-height glazed panel and a shallow, rectangular oriel window. The east elevation of the higher block has brick walls with two full-height narrow panes glazed with red glass in the manner of the original windows.

INTERIOR: the entrance door leads into a hall with bold terrazzo marble tiles. The right-hand and rear walls have panelling of vertical walnut planks incorporating full-height doors with aluminium handles, and an open tread wooden staircase leads down to the lower ground floor. The stair well is enclosed by a balustrade with square section timber rails of varying widths. The original light switches remain, together with an original art installation on a timber-clad pillar beside the stair well. The open plan living and dining room has a higher, shallow vaulted ceiling. It opens off the entrance hall and is partially screened by a freestanding screen wall. This is faced to the inner side by wide rosewood veneer panels and an open timberwork frame is supported between it and the opposing wall, lowering the ceiling height over the dining end of the room. A similarly veneered lighting canopy with a central hanging light fitting (with modern shade) is attached to the frame. The room has large, square, cream-coloured terrazzo tiles separated by narrow brass bands. On the west side of the building is the kitchen. It has white painted brick walls and modern fitted kitchen units: the original rubbish chute to a lower ground storage room still survives, but is no longer in use. The master bedroom is located adjacent to the kitchen. It has original fitted wardrobes and built-in dressing table with silky oak veneers and aluminium handles. The east wall is panelled and incorporates two full-height doors opening into an ensuite bathroom and a separate dressing room lit by a circular skylight. The ensuite has been refitted, though the metal towel loops are original. The dressing room retains its original fitted wardrobes and drawers. Opening off the entrance hall is a small room, originally a cloakroom, now a study, lit by a circular skylight, with a separate toilet beyond with original wc and sink. Adjacent to the entrance door, on the west side of the building, is a corner room, which was originally a secretary's room with a hatch into the adjacent room, now removed. The adjacent large bedroom originally had a concertina wall to divide it in two, now removed; the end adjacent to the secretary's room could have been used as an office. The room retains original fitted rosewood veneered wardrobes and built-in dressing table. A doorway opens into the bathroom, which has the original cast iron rebated bath, sink, wc and metal towel loops.

The steps down to the lower ground floor open into an L-shaped party room. It has the original acoustic tiles on the ceiling, a timber floor with an under-lit circular glass dance floor made of segmental sections, and original timber doors with aluminium handles to the rooms opening off. On the east wall is an original abstract light-box installation. In the north-west corner is an original bar with a rectangular bar counter of timber and green, textured tiles set on a plinth beneath a suspended timber-edged canopy, with a bar back of lit shelves for bottles and glasses, and three fixed aluminium and leather bar stools. On the west side of the party room an internal doorway opens into the garage. There is also a small cloakroom, with an external door opening onto the patio, and a separate wc both with painted brick walls and original fixtures and fittings. In the north-east corner of the house is a bedroom, which was originally a darkroom. The shutters have been removed, but the original cupboard doors remain.

Selected Sources

None.

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Map

National Grid Reference: SD8453035652

The above 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 - 1408101_1.pdf

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