Unity Structures
of Rickmansworth
of 5-15 Cromer Street, London WC1, building design and engineering consultants
Using common storey-level precast reinforced concrete panels, the firm produced various updated versions of their bungalow and twin-storey house variations. Using metal bracing within the cavity and metal joists connected at column joints, the PRC columns act as mullions. Copper straps tie the inner panel to outer PRC panel on earlier variants, while later the copper strap fixed to column holding just outer PRC cladding panels.
Although the design incorporates significant steelwork resulting in fair current structural condition, the concrete used in casting is decaying, and resultantly leaks chlorides. This results in internal staining through panel joints, and corrosion of the metal reinforcing and straps.
1949 "The tender of Unity Structures, Ltd., London, of £40,805 for the erection of 20 houses and 12 maisonettes on the Queen-street site was accepted, subject to ministerial approval by Rushden Urban Council."[1]
1952 "The design is modern, with one-storey planning, and the prefabrication type selected was that of Unity Structures, Ltd., to whom Kendrick, Findlay and Partners are the consulting architects and engineers. The builders are Llewellyns...[2]
1961 "the Regent design by Unity Structures Ltd., is a three bedroom detached house with the garage incorporated in the plan. The price is approximately £4,500 and the Unity House is furnished by Homefinder magazine."[3]
1968 A meeting of the company's creditors was called which led to appointment of a liquidator.[4]
A Unity Structures bungalow originally located in Amersham is preserved at the Chiltern Open Air Museum