Summary
Maran Cottage is a timber-framed dwelling thought to have C16 origins, but was later remodelled in the C17 or C18. The building underwent further extensive remodelling in the C20, and was substantially enlarged. In 2014 the historic building and the C20 extension were separated to create two dwellings, with the former extension being re-named Maran House.
Reasons for Designation
Maran Cottage at Digswell in Hertfordshire is listed at Grade II for the following principal reason:
* Architectural interest: as an example of an evolved timber-framed building believed to have C16 origins, which, although it has undergone significant change over several centuries, retains evidence of the vernacular building traditions of the area, traditions which appear to have informed subsequent phases of development.
History
Maran Cottage, first listed in 1967, is thought to have C16 origins, with its timber-framing dating to that period, but later remodelled in the C17 or C18. It is suggested in the original List entry that the building was re-built on its present site in the C20, and later substantially enlarged. It is not clear where the building may have originally been located, nor what its original form may have been, but it seems likely, given its great length, that there may have been more than one dwelling included in the range, or that an original dwelling was attached to an outbuilding(s) which is now incorporated into the dwelling. The interior of the historic building was remodelled in the late C20, presumably at the time of the rebuilding. In 2014, the link between the historic building and the C20 extension was demolished, effectively creating two separate dwellings. A new boundary wall has been built between the historic building and the former extension, and at the time of the inspection (29 September 2014) the interior of the building was being refurbished, and the area where the link range was formerly attached was under repair.
Details
A timber-framed house believed to have C16 origins, enlarged in the C17 or C18, reconstructed and extended again in the C20, and separated from the C20 extension in 2014.
MATERIALS
Thin scantling timber framing with plastered brick infill and C20 pargetting. Plain tile roof covering and brick ridge and gable chimneys.
PLAN
The building is linear in form, but C20 remodelling of the interior has resulted in the loss of the spatial sub-divisions characteristic of C17 or C18 plan forms.
EXTERIOR
The front elevation is of five bays, and of single storey and attics form, with four gabled dormers lighting the upper floor. There is a jettied central gable with C20 brick nogging, set above a C20 central doorway with a four-centred arched head, and a C20 plank door with flanking single-light windows with leaded glazing. The gable window and the dormer windows are of three lights, with wooden mullions and leaded casement frames. The wall framing is comprised of bays defined by slender posts with sole plates and mid-rails, thin, widely-spaced studs and down braces. Each bay incorporates a three-light mullioned window with leaded glazing, each window set below the corresponding roof dormer.
The rear elevation is largely of C20 and C21 construction, and represents the C20 widening of the building below a full-length, mansard-like extension of the rear roof slope. There is a projecting central gable carried on corner posts, open at ground floor level, and C20 and C21 window and door openings set amongst thin framing which seeks to reflect the detail of the front elevation. The gable and the walling below mark the area where the house was previously linked to the rear extension.
INTERIOR
The interior has been comprehensively remodelled, and was undergoing further alteration at the time of inspection (September 2014). There is some exposed framing which formed part of the original rear wall at the south-east end of the building, but there are no other interior elements which can be identified with certainty as representing early fabric.
