Summary
Edwardian villa, built in c1905, with later alterations. The architect is probably Charles Edward Barry.
Reasons for Designation
The Briar-Patch, an Edwardian villa of c1905, is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Architectural interest: as an individual and well-designed house which is carefully proportioned and reflects the principles of the Arts and Crafts Movement;
* Intactness: despite some alteration and the sensitive reinstatement of some fittings, the building retains its original form and massing, its internal layout and its principal fixtures and fittings.
History
The Briar-Patch is an Edwardian villa built in c1905, and is shown on the third edition Ordnance Survey map of 1909. It has previously been attributed to the architect Joseph Brewerton but the original drawings of the building suggest that it is the work of Charles Edward Barry.
The Briar-Patch became part of the neighbouring St Peter’s School in 1947 after the De La Salle teaching order took over its running from the Jesuits, and was used as headmaster’s accommodation and common rooms. In 1993 The Briar-Patch was separated from the grounds of St Peter’s School and returned to a private dwelling. Prior to this the exterior, which may have originally been pebbledashed, was rendered and re-painted and the roof tiles were replaced with interlocking concrete tiles. In the early C21 some of the original fixtures and fittings were re-instated in the position shown on the original plans, and additional fitted cupboards were added. The door and window furniture is early C21.
Details
Edwardian villa, built in c1905, with later alterations. The architect is probably Charles Edward Barry.
MATERIALS: the external elevations are rendered and painted. The roof is covered in interlocking concrete tiles. The timber casement windows have timber glazing bars dividing each window into twelve panes, and those to the upper stories have an apron.
PLAN: it has a single-depth, rectangular plan of three bays. To the north elevation of west bay is the porch, to the central bay is a rectangular projection which houses the staircase, and to the east bay is a square projection which houses the service rooms.
EXTERIOR: the south elevation has a symmetrical arrangement comprising the central, gabled bay, with set-back bays to either side. To either side of the central bay is a ridge stack. The central bay has a four-light timber mullion window to the ground floor; two, two-light windows to the first floor and a lunette window with two mullions to the gable. The flanking bays each have three-light timber mullion windows to the ground and first floor. To the left-hand bay is the glazed and panelled door to the south lobby. The west and east elevations each comprise a gabled bay with clasping buttresses which rise above the roofline and have a moulded cap. These elevations have a three-light window to the ground and first floor and a two-light window to the gable, above which is a ventilation slit. The north elevation is stepped. Between the right-hand bay and the central bay is the porch with the doorway set on an angle. Above is the west elevation of the central bay with a lunette window with two mullions. On the north face of the central bay is the inserted door to the former pantry and a single window. Above are four stair windows. There is doorway to the west wall of the left-hand bay with a doorbell to the right. Its north elevation has a further doorway and a window.
INTERIOR: the interior retains much of its original layout and many of its fixtures and fittings. The dining room, to the east bay, has a cast-iron fireplace with fitted cupboard to either side, set within a square recess with moulded architrave. Above is a square panel with moulded surround. To the opposite wall is a moulded pilaster. The sitting room, to the central bay, has an arched recess with an arched brick-tile fireplace (grate removed) with a bolection moulded fire-surround with rectangular over mantel and semi-circular pediment above. There is a panelled window seat to the south window which is shown on the original plans but was re-instated in the early C21. To the north wall is the open-well staircase. Throughout the interior are panelled doors, cornices, moulded architraves and skirting boards. Some of the downstairs door architraves and skirting boards were replaced in the early C21 to match the original. To the first-floor are picture rails, corner cupboards housed in the external buttresses, and fitted cupboards, some reinstated in the early C21. Some additional cupboards have been added in the early C21 with matching bolection moulding. The cast-iron fireplaces to the bedrooms are reclaimed pieces inserted in the early C21. To the ceiling of the first-floor bathroom an atrium rooflight has been inserted.
