1 Concrete Cottages

Cadw's description

Location

Located at the S end of Tregynon village, approximately 100m E of entrance to Gregynog Estate.

History

Constructed in unreinforced concrete c1870 by Henry Hanbury-Tracy as part of the Gregynog Estate. Hanbury-Tracy's use of the material on the Gregynog Estate was intended to demonstrate the benefits of building in concrete, which it was said reduced the cost of a house by nearly a half compared to brick or stone construction. The striking appearance of Concrete Cottages on the main road through Tregynon suggests that they were intended to advertise the use of the new material. The concrete was made from river gravel and brick fragments bonded with cement. It was laid in wet courses directly on to the wall using timber shuttering and finished with a skim coat of render. Concrete was also used for chimneys, floor slabs, partition walls, fireplace and stair construction. Originally the building had a roof of concrete slabs, although these were subsequently covered by slates.

Exterior

Planked front door with a fixed light inserted. At the rear the lean-to and stair projection were enlarged late C20.

Interior

The porch opens into a small entrance lobby. The 2 ground floor rooms formerly had back-to-back fireplaces of which one concrete overmantle survives. The sitting room has a single timber cross-beam with exposed joists. Concrete floor slabs are said to survive beneath modern tiles and carpet. Concrete dog-leg stair. Cast iron T-section rafters support concrete slabs, with slates laid over them. Ledged and battened doors throughout.

Reason for designation

Listed as 2 cottages of special interest for representing early experimentation with concrete, and for their striking Gothick appearance in a prominent location advertising the use of the new material. They make an important contribution to the surviving group of concrete buildings in Tregynon.