Prince Albert's Model Cottage

It was supported by Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, designed by architect Henry Roberts, and built by the Society for Improving the Conditions of the Labouring Classes for display at the 1851 Great Exhibition in Hyde Park, London.

With the intervention of Prince Albert it was agreed that the building could be constructed close to, but not on, the Exhibition grounds, and this was done at the Knightsbridge Cavalry Barracks.

[2] The model cottage was designed by Henry Roberts, who was honorary architect to the SICLC, and, like the Prince Consort, was interested in upgrading housing for the working class.

The cottage demonstrated at the Great Exhibition was possibly conceived as a model for larger blocks of flats (designs for a three-storey version were prepared).

[2][8] The design provided a catalyst for further work on model buildings and Roberts and the Society circulated several publications on the topic, including “The Dwellings of the Labouring Classes”.