55 Troy Park

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Two storey modern movement house. Ground floor stone, wet dash render and glazing. First floor stained timber. Low pitch felt roof with central brick chimney on ridge. Cast iron rainwater goods. Ogee gutter. Building situated in a mature well planned and intimate garden with a central irregular courtyard of granite cobbles.

The main elevation facing south has a long metal window across the full length of the original façade. Circular steel columns are incorporated into the glazing and exposed to the exterior. An angle above provides permanent shuttering for a painted concrete beam under the timber cladding of first floor. Two large four pane PVC windows at first floor are symmetrical about the centre line of the block. To the east the extension, with glazed corridor and metal greenhouse/conservatory exposed on the south elevation. The garden rises to a small patio at the corridor. To the west of the block the main entrance door contained in a flat roof single storey porch. The roof projects beyond the porch to be supported on a small diameter (75mm) steel column. The door is glazed with sidelights. Corners of panes are rounded in a 1950’s manner.

The West elevation has the porch at ground level which is constructed from a curving stone wall (whinstone local to the area) over hung by the flat felt roof. Above a single 4 pane PVC window in the timber clad first floor gable. Central mullion is bigger than the rest to hide a wall behind. Where the curve of the stone wall to the porch ends and returns to the main façade a large oil tank begins. It completes the curve back into the elevation and is the same height as the stone though it is situated on a concrete plinth 450mm from the adjacent path. Ground level rises across this part of the site and the 1 metre wide path following the curve of porch and tank cuts into the slop to maintain its level. The slope is retained by a vertical stone wall matching the porch. Rough granite steps at the façade rise from the path to the strip of planting. The path continues under a room width extension from the main building to a concrete yard at the rear. The extension clad in timber with west dash below has a large plain painted timber window at first floor overlooking the yard and a small rendered room under, opening to the yard.

The North elevation facing the yard has 3 windows at first floor and a long narrow window at ground level to the kitchen. Two small frosted windows at ground level light the wc and cloaks. Ground level finish is painted brick rather than render. The more recent extension to the east is rendered without openings. The link with the main house is a small flat roof allowing the timber cladding of the original building to remain undisturbed. At this point is a metal glazed door interesting in its detail.

The East Elevation is designed to be viewed from Culmore Road beyond where it appears as a series of stepping roofs in the trees behind the high stone wall separating Troy Park from the road. Similar to the West elevation a single 4 pane PVC window at first floor is divided in two by a large mullion. Cladding timbers on the gables are horizontal where as those on the north and south are vertical. The extension has a small bay with PVC window off centre it is capped by a felt pitched roof matching the main one over the room.

Historical information

Designed by Corr & McCormick in 1950 and built during 1951. Residence by F H Corr until his death in the mid 1980’s. Extension added by Corr 1982, grounds landscaped at that time. Present occupant has made no material alterations. Former 1863 Londonderry City Boundary post ornamental feature in garden, one of only two remaining in city.

References

Primary Sources
O.S. Map 1963 (present edition) Co Londonderry
J J Tracey, McCormick Tracey Mullarkey Architects
Drawings and Plans owned by occupant.

Secondary Sources
Present Occupant.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Small house in a modernist style well sited in a mature well planned garden. Consistent attention to detail. Local materials and emphasis upon texture give a local feel to the international influences upon the building. Good proportions, well preserved interior with majority of original fittings intact. Low window over kitchen sink of note, also kitchen cupboards, living room glazing, floor and staircase. 1980’s extension has added to the charm of the house and its relationship to the garden. House residence of partner in one of the most influential post-war Irish architectural firms and displays many of the details associated with their work.

However to merit listing a building of this age(1951) would have to be of outstanding quality and importance. Recording is considered appropriate at present.