This image is one of a set of 8 black and white negatives, showing the opening of the last Arcon prefabricated bungalows to be built at Carshalton, London. The images show the Minister of Works, Charles Key MP at a key passing ceremony to welcome the new residents. The Temporary Housing Act of 1944/5 was intended to alleviate the acute housing shortages of the immediate postwar years through the construction of prefabricated estates of modular housing and bungalows. The Ministry of Works was the government department tasked with the organisation and efficiency of the push for housing construction. The Arcon prefab was the second most manufactured form of postwar prefabs. Around 39,000 were produced, with each home involving 2,5000 different components. The home builder Taylor Woodrow oversaw their production and construction. Arcon stood for “Architectural Consultants”, and the prefab was one of the featured buildings in the 1944/5 Ministry of Works exhibition hosted by the Tate gallery. The Arcon venture aimed to bring together multiple different manufacturers and to strengthen the links between industry and design. The homes had a steel frame with asbestos-cement sheeting.
The temporary prefabricated housing estate was built into the pre-existing St. Helier cottage estate, which was built during the interwar period by the London County Council in the garden city style. The prefabs were demolished by 1976.
This is part of the Volume: PSA01/04/H00264 Minister of Works Charles Key MP opening the final Arcon prefabricated bungalow built at the St. Helier estate, Carshalton, London; within the Sub Series: PSA01/04/H Housing; within the Series: PSA01/04 Negatives; within the Collection: PSA01 Property Services Agency
Source: Historic England Archive
Mid 20th Century Prefabricated House, Mid 20th Century Bungalow
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