An Airey house is a type of pre-fabricated home that was popular in the UK in the years following World War II. The homes were designed by Sir Edwin Airey, a civil engineer who worked for the London County Council.
The Airey house was constructed using pre-cast concrete panels that were made off-site and then assembled on-site. The design was intended to be affordable and easy to construct, with the panels being light enough to be handled by a small team of workers.
The Airey house typically had two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. The design was relatively simple, with a flat roof and large windows to allow for natural light. The homes were often built in rural areas or in areas where there was a shortage of housing.
While the Airey house was affordable and quick to construct, it was not without its problems. Some designs were criticised for being too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer, and some had issues with dampness or mould. Additionally, some of the Airey homes had structural issues that only became apparent after several years of use.
The houses are one of a number of non-standard construction precast concrete systems listed in the Housing Defects Act. Accordingly, trying to get a mortgage on one of these concrete houses is quite difficult.
Today, many prefab Airey houses have been demolished or replaced, but some examples still exist in the UK. They are considered to be an important part of the country’s architectural heritage and a reminder of the post-war effort to rebuild the country.
