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Summary

Description

Raymond Unwin; C M Crickmer, (site architect). 1917 for munitions workers. 2 symmetrical terraces each of 3 blocks (each block containing 4 houses) linked by low porches and facing one another across wide avenue. Brick-built, 2 blocks now part pebble-dashed; original glazing mostly small-paned sashes. Inner houseblocks both have 2 advanced square bays; outer blocks L-plan, with 3 terminal bays set forward; original inner doors paired and with doors and side lights all contained within semi-circular arched heads. Brick end and axial stacks; piended slate roofs.

Statement of Special Interest

These 2 rows of houses form the central core of the unique and picturesque village of Gretna, designed along Garden City principles. The buildings line the central street through the village and are well-detailed and distinctive. The piended roofs, prominent chimney stacks and varied decorative details add to the architectural interest of the properties and include the advanced bays, round-arched entrance and small, round windows. The houses are of red brick - an unusual material for domestic buildings in Scotland. The houses were originally built as dormitories for the factory workers, but in such a way that they could be converted into private housing.

Built in 1916-18, the town of Gretna was constructed to provide housing and community facilities for the workers of the nearby munitions factory. The government was concerned during the course of the First World War that there was a lack of ammunition for the British troops, and it commissioned a large munitions factory to be built. This stretched for 9 miles along the banks of the Solway and produced Cordite explosives. Thousands of workers were brought in from around Britain and Ireland to work at the factory and temporary timber and more permanent brick housing was erected to accommodate the builders of the factory and its workers. The township was designed along Garden City lines, with green spaces surrounding the houses, with a wide, central street with shops and community facilities and other, curving streets. The chief designer was Raymond Unwin, with Courtnay M Crickmer acting as the resident architect. As well as housing, the workers and their families required buildings to provide for leisure and the township included several churches, a dance hall, a school and a cinema. After the war, the factory was dismantled and only a few remnants of it remain.

Raymond Unwin (1863-1940) was one of the most important figures in early 20th century British town planning and was the overseeing architect for the development of Gretna and the neighbouring town of Eastriggs. He advocated high standards of design for social housing and informality of planning. He worked predominantly in England and is perhaps best known for his planning of Letchworth Garden City and Hampstead Garden Suburb.

C M Crickmer, (1879-1971) was a London based architect who was the architect in resident for the designing of Gretna township. He also worked with Unwin at Letchworth and Hampstead Garden Suburb.

Many of the original windows and doors have been replaced with a variety of materials and glazing patterns. The original glazing pattern predominantly consisted of small pane timber sash and case windows, which are apparent in early photographs of Gretna.

Notes and References updated, 2012.

References

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