2-879-180 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

Hahnemann Court, Carley Hill Road, Southwick, Sunderland, 10/10/1966. An access balcony on a low rise development of 'Sectra' flats at Hahnemann Court, with residents tending plants in window boxes outside their flats. 'Sectra’ was a French prefabricated steel formwork design for flats which John Laing and Son Ltd acquired the British rights to in 1962. Hahnemann Court was built by Laing for Sunderland County Borough Council. The contract was approved in 1964 and the flats took 18 months to construct. There were 208 flats in four blocks with a quadrangle at the centre. The flats were built over three levels with each flat having a front door opening on to a wide access balcony which were on the second and fifth floors. The development was also served by 10 lifts and main staircases at the core of the links between the blocks. Each flat had central heating, fitted cupboards, double-glazed windows and a fitted kitchen.