X.1067, 2(439)

Genre: Architectural Photography

View of the two storey house, faced with glazed decorative brickwork and with a common balcony linking the two sides on the upper floor. Designed by the architect Mr Roberts, it was paid for by Prince Albert, who, unsurprisingly, was awarded a medal 'as the exhibitor of this most useful and interesting contribution to the Exhibition, and to whom the nation at large is so deeply indebted for the promotion of this important subject.' The house displayed, 'contains all the latest improvements of general arrangement, material, and workmanship ... We may hope that in a very short time that the houses of the labouring classes may excel in cleanliness, equality of temperature, and perfect ventilation, the best houses now constructed for the wealthier classes. In the houses exhibited, accommodation is afforded for a sufficient number of separate sleeping-rooms for average families. By the use of hollow bricks, the walls are made to be less perfect conductors of heat and sound; and the rooms are more economically heated, and are rendered more equable in temperature. By the use of bricks and stucco floors, and glazed bricks in the side walls, the whole building is rendered fire-proof, and the walls and floors cannot harbour insects, and may be kept perfectly clean at the smallest possible expenditure of time and trouble ... It is difficult to over-estimate the magnitude and importance of the effects of such a change upon the population of the country, whether as adding to their individual happiness, or improving their physical and moral condition, and thus rendering them more valuable and useful members of society.' (pp. 439-440). A print of this photograph was also shown at the 1852 Royal Society of Arts Photographic Exhibition. An example of a building designed on this model survives in the present day