Public Baths, Wood Street, Kingston-on-Thames (Architectural Competition)

PUBLIC BATHS COMPETITION, KINGSTON-ON-THAMES – The competition plans for this corporation work at Kingston-on-Thames have this week been on view in the borough offices, Clattern House, and the committee have adopted the award made by the referee, Mr. H. Hessell Tiltman, F.R.I.B.A., whose report was presented at the last meeting of the town council. The site of the new buildings is situate in Wood-street, not far from the market-place and centre of Kingston. Six firms of architects were invited to compete, and seven schemes were submitted by the following gentlemen: Messrs. Buck and Smith, Maidstone; Major Henry Macaulay, the borough engineer, Kingston; Mr. W. Hanstock, Batley; Mr. Guest Luckett, Aylesbury; Messrs. F. J. Smith and Maurice B. Adams, and Messrs. Spalding and Cross. The design by Messrs. Smith and Adams has been chosen. The problem consisted of one large swimming-bath, to be used alternately by both sexes, and capable of being used as a public hall, and, besides this, six first- class and ten second-class men's slipper-baths were to be provided, with further accommodation for women's slipper-baths. ….. "No. 4” comprises two designs, both of which are worked out very carefully with excellent drawings giving many details at large. We understand Messrs. Spalding and Cross are the authors. The large bath is roofed at a much lower section than most of the other plans, and the dressing-boxes with sliding fronts are located under a low roof, which Mr. Tiltman objects to, "as the condensation of any moisture in the bath under them would be found very disagreeable." He takes exception to the want of separation between the bath and hall entrances. The gallery is at one end of the hall only. The laundry is in front, in the basement, and an internal area to get light much hampers the general arrangement, which seems too broken, though the crush hall is needlessly roomy and ample where space is 80 limited. The facades are handled with taste, but appear lacking in repose.” [Building News 31 January 1896 page 161-162]

Reference           Building News 31 January 1896 page 161-162