Clapham Public Baths (Architectural Competition)

CLAPHAM PUBLIC BATHS - This competition was finally decided at the meeting of the Wandsworth Borough Council on Wednesday evening, when the General Purposes Committee brought up a report stating that they had further considered the report of the Baths and Washhouses Committee with reference to the designs received for the proposed baths at Clapham. ….. It was decided to open all the sealed envelopes containing the competitors' names, and it was then found that No. 17 was submitted by Messrs. Druery and Dolby, 20, Great James-street, who were accordingly appointed as architects for the baths, although placed third by the assessor ; No. 11, to which the second premium was given, was by Mr. A. W. S. Cross, M.A., of 46, Bond-street, W.; and No. 16, the plan placed first by the assessor, but to which no premium was given, was by Mr. Alfred Saxon Snell, of 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery-lane, W.C.[Building News 9 December 1904 page 826]

The second premium, awarded to No. 11, by Mr. A. W. S. Cross, M.A., is an ingenious arrangement forming a triangular block of buildings with entrances axially arranged with the apex of triangle. A square hall, with entrances for men and women on each side (but very cramped in the position of the doors), with semi-circular waiting-rooms in connection for each sex leading direct into the first and second-class baths, are well arranged. The larger second-class range cuts off the first-class bathroom. The attendant is placed at a convenient point in the second-class bathroom commanding both classes. On the first-floor plan the women's slipper -baths with waiting-room and stairs are placed over the entrances and hall and men's first-class baths. The waiting-room, 10ft. square, is above the hall below. The living-rooms are over the second-class men's baths. The general arrangement is well thought out, and the only practical defect is the position of the boiler, and the omission of means for getting it in or out. The elevation, composed of a pedimented centre, with segment-shaped pediments over the ends of main baths, is simple. Wide entrances with columns in front are placed on each side of centre facing Park Hill and Clapham Park Roads. [Building News 30 December 1904 page 926]

Reference        Building News 9 December 1904 page 826
Reference        Building News 30 December 1904 page 926