Fulbeck, Amersham - Local Heritage List Platform

Location/Address

Fulbeck The Avenue Amersham Buckinghamshire HP7 0AB

Type

Building

Roofed and walled permanent structures.

Description

Distinctive ‘Arts & Crafts’ style house of 1906, by architect John Harold Kennard for a known client. Important - relatively - early house to the development of Amersham-on-the-Hill, with both architect & client going on to become significant contributors to the development of the New Town in the early part of the C20th.

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Statement of Significance

Asset type

Purpose built house, believed to be the first commission specifically for a client’s own residence by the architect John Harold Kennard who subsequently became the most significant architect in the devolvement of Amersham-on-the-Hill in the early C20th.

Age

1906.

Rarity

Best example of a good sized ‘Railway House’ in Amersham. Relatively few alterations over the years, leaves Fulbeck in largely original form.

Architectural and Artistic Interest

Designed in 1906 by architect John Harold Kennard, whilst working with William Sumner - a Surveyor - believed to be a business partner in the early part of his career. The design was published in the architectural press of the day. Client was notable Solicitor & Baptist, Alfred Ellis. Accommodation over 2 main floors, with additional accommodation on the second-floor. Constructed of brick, of which upper part then roughcast. Some use of part-timbering to front elevation. Roof of original clay tiles, which have cleaned & relaid. Single-storey projection to front left, with box room above subsequently converted. Small enclosed porch extension to front, reusing original front door. Three chimneys, all original. One to side elevation of full height, two to front reduced slightly having started leaning. Bricks retained, so could be rebuilt using original materials. Gable, slightly offset from centre, which risers up to roofline & includes window at second floor level. Ground-floor finish brick, first-floor & above roughcast. Motif of 5 diamonds, one large central one surrounded by four small ones adjoining on tips of points, visible to side elevation. Highlighted in paint, to match colour of roof tiles. Small amount of timber to front, at first-floor level & above, finished dark - again complimenting light paint of roughcast. Original windows, wooden with casement openings. Divided into smaller panels & string course of tiles underneath. With exception of one first & one second floor window, generally smaller as North facing.

Group Value

Located on The Avenue, opposite terrace of 5 built contemporary to this one (see separate listing) and above Turret House (see separate listing). Also, 3 buildings developed at same time with Station Parade & in close proximity to the Bijou Hall - now the Auction Rooms (again, see separate listings).

Historic Interest

This is the first development by J. H Kennard of 1906, who went on to become the dominant architect in the early years of the establishment of the new town of Amersham-in-the-Hill. Unlike terrace of 1-5, which appear to have been built speculatively, Fulbeck was designed a specific client by the name of Alfred Ellis. Home of Alfred Ellis from construction to his death, in 1936. He was a significant character in the formation of the fledgling community of Amersham-on-the-Hill, by realising there was no church or community base & started hosting Baptist led meetings in his own home. He was a lay preacher & soon switched to holding in what is now the Auction Rooms - see separate listing - which can hold 120 people. And only after a few years, this ran out of space & the original Amersham Free Church was commissioned - by Alfred Ellis & designed by J. H. Kennard. Professionally Alfred Ellis was a solicitor & was significant in representing both the Baptist Union of Britain & the Milk Marketing Board. However, his most significant commission, was after WW1 when the Russians employed him to liaise with the British Government to negotiate recognition of leadership & a trade deal. As such, this happen & the arrangement was a significant & early one for the post-revolutionary leadership of Russia.

Landmark Status

Can be seen from Station Road, with the higher elevation, as well as the pedestrian bridge over railway line & through the woods off Rectory Hill during the Winter months.