Maltings

Summary

An architect-designed dwelling constructed in 1969-1971 to the designs of John Phillips of Phillips, Cutler, Phillips, Troy (PCPT). Altered in the late C20 and early C21.

Reasons for Designation

Maltings, constructed to the designs of John Phillips of Phillips, Cutler, Phillips, Troy (PCPT) in 1969-1971, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Architectural Interest:

* the building is bold yet responds sensitively to its surroundings, with a low profile and variety of roof pitches resulting in a dynamic design;

* the building is little altered and retains the vision of the architect with clear emphasis on space, light and bringing the outside in;

* the building has a restrained yet effective use of materials both internally and externally with exposed brick walls and timber-clad ceilings.

Historic Interest:

* as an ambitious, architect-designed late-C20 dwelling, designed by Phillips as his primary residence and family home;

* as a post-war dwelling designed by the architect John Phillips of the well-regarded practice Phillips, Cutler, Phillips, Troy (PCPT).

History

Maltings was constructed in 1969-1971 to the designs of the architect, John Phillips. Phillips was one of the founding members of Phillips, Cutler, Phillips, Troy (PCPT), the architectural practice formed in West Bromwich in 1957; it is still in existence today. Phillips designed the dwelling as his own residence and lived there with his family for over 25 years. The dwelling was built upon parkland of the former Little Aston Hall estate, with the estate broken up and sold for redevelopment from the 1920s onwards. Little Aston Park as the area is now known, comprises an eclectic mix of architect-designed dwellings built across the C20.

In the late C20, planning permission was granted to extend Maltings to form a garage at the north-east end, in an area that had originally been used as a car port. In 2011, planning permission was granted for a small extension to the principal bedroom in the south wing of the building, to provide additional wardrobe space. At an unknown date in the late C20 or early C21 the wall between the kitchen and utility was removed to create a larger kitchen space. The bedrooms within the building were also reconfigured at an unknown date, with one of the bedrooms on the west side removed to create additional en-suite bathrooms. The pool and water feature at the bottom of the spiral stair has also been modified at an unknown date, with the pool now infilled.

Details

An architect-designed dwelling constructed in 1969-1971 to the designs of John Phillips of Phillips, Cutler, Phillips, Troy (PCPT). Altered in the late C20 and early C21.

MATERIALS: constructed of brick with large curtain wall glazing and a roof covered with cedar shingles.

PLAN: the house has an irregular plan and is predominantly single storey, with a long linear range running north-west to south-east. At the west end of this, is an additional living space which forms an attached L-shaped block. A separate wing, housing all of the bedrooms, projects to the south-west.

EXTERIOR: the dwelling has a low profile, with a shallow sloping gable roof over the east, single-storey range. The entrance elevation (north-east) has a ribbon window immediately beneath the eaves, with the building’s principal entrance situated to the west of this range. The entrance door is timber, with a large area of glazing. Immediately to the east are two large panes of glass which extend from the floor to the ceiling. At the east end of this elevation is a later garage extension.

From the south looking northwards, the building’s two principal ranges are visible. The range to the west, housing the bedrooms, has a lean-to roof attached to a steeper, mono-pitched range. There is glazing above the lean to. The range to the east has a later, large brick stack at the west end followed by a large area of glazing as the elevation continues east.

From the west looking eastwards, the building’s lounge is situated to the north, with curtain wall glazing beneath the mono-pitched roof. Immediately to the south-east, is the only first floor section of the building with the room having a pitched roof projecting west, with full height glazing below to light the studio. To the south, the north-west elevation of the building’s bedroom range has a low roof with a ribbon window beneath the eaves.

INTERIOR: the entrance hall to the building retains its timber-clad ceiling and lighting along with its original glazing through to the adjacent stairwell to access the first-floor studio. The spiral metal stair has a timber handrail. The entrance hall leads through to the range to the east, which contains a kitchen to the north and a series of three reception rooms to the south. The reception rooms retain their original layout and glazing on the south wall.

The west end of the building contains the bedrooms. The middle bedroom on the west side of this wing has been converted into a bathroom and storage space to service the neighbouring rooms. The principal bedroom has been extended to the south and its ensuite has been extended, absorbing some of the fourth bedroom. Two of the bedrooms retain their original timber ceiling finishes.

The north end of the house contains the first-floor studio which is accessed via the spiral stair. The studio retains its decorative finishes including some exposed brickwork and its timber-clad ceiling. Beyond it to the north, the lounge also retains its timber ceiling and has a large fireplace hearth within the exposed brick wall.

Sources

Other
Little Aston Conservation Area Appraisal, Lichfield District Council, available at: https://www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/downloads/file/448/little-aston-conservation-area-appraisal

End of official list entry

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