1-5 The Avenue, Amersham - Buckinghamshire's Local Heritage List

Location/Address

1-5 The Avenue Amersham Buckinghamshire HP7 0AB

Type

Building

Roofed and walled permanent structures.

Description

A terrace of 5 houses, dating to 1906, by architect John Harold Kennard (in conjunction with business partner, William Sumner). The design was published in the architectural press in 1907. Interestingly, the drawing overlooks the slope on the ground, with the first-floor of No. 1 almost being level with the ground-floor of No. 5. Constructed traditionally of brick, partially roughcast, under a clay tile roof. No. 1 Has steps up to front door, with porch. Due to hillside, there is a lower-ground floor level/ void, which together with the ground-floor is brick finish to wall, with first floor being rendered. There is a gable to the front, which featured the ‘Kennard 5 Diamond Motif’, although the loft has been converted with subsequent alterations to the finish. No. 2 is also set into the slope with the additional lower ground-floor space. This is again brick, with a stair case rising up to the front door - which is original - & the frame for the original porch is also there. First floor brickwork roughcast, as with No. 1, the loft space has been converted to additional accommodation. No. 3 sits centrally within the row & has a particularly distinctive porch, with a bay window above. All original wooden windows & frames, with casement openings. No. 4 - as with 3 - has brick finish to ground-floor & roughcast to first, all under a tiled roof. No. 5 has a large gable to the front, exhibiting the ‘Kennard 5 Diamond Motif’. The entrance door is set into the side, projecting out as part of a larger 2 story bay window. Again, roughcast to first-floor and above, with shaped diamonds (mouldings) to the 2-story bay to the side. Original chimneys remain.

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Statement of Significance

Asset type

Almost ‘test-book’ example of classic Edwardian ‘Railway Houses’, located immediately behind the Station.

Age

1906, subsequently published in the architectural press of 1907.

Architectural and Artistic Interest

Part of the first development in Amersham involving J. H. Kennard, who went on to design many of the early C20th definite buildings of Amersham-on-the-Hill from 1906 onwards. Unusually for a terrace, each house is different in design. These were designed in collaboration with William Sumner, a Surveyor by training, who is believed to having been a business partner, as opposed to having been involved with the design. These are ‘pure’ Arts & Crafts design - and as such - really the first of many to go up in the town. What marks these out is the quality of the design, both externally & inside. Some of the houses retain original features such as delightful hearts inset into the staircase, tiles of the period, cast-iron fireplaces, etc. The design of the large diamond, with four smaller ones at each point, is early ‘trade-Mark’ of Kennard’s architecture & can be seen on the back, as well. Mostly replacement windows, however some of the original ones remain with smaller panes and painted with the outer part of the frame in a complimentary colour to the frame of the main central part of the window itself.

Group Value

Aside from being located behind the Station, the arrival of which led to the creation of Amersham-on-the-Hill, these are set in a cluster with Fulbeck (see separate listing) & just up from Station Road, where Station Parade & Turret House are located. These are by the same architect & time (see separate listings for both).

Historic Interest

After the railway in Amersham (opening 1892) the open - predominantly farm - land at the top of the hill started to become developed. This was slow to start & these house some of the first to be built in the New Town which became known as Amersham-on-the-Hill from about 1910.

Landmark Status

Whilst tucked away to the front, with being set behind the station & the railway up a high embankment, these houses are clearly visible - especially during the Winter months - from the far platform. During ‘ordinary’ times, the station is typically very well used, so even if plenty of people don’t notice, there are still many who will have passed by & noticed these houses from behind.