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Post War Listed Public Housing

References are given to Elain Harwood, 'England. A Guide to Post-war Listed Buildings' (2003).

The Barbican, City of London

Grade II: listed 2001.

Chamberlin, Powell & Bon 1963-82. Harwood, 650-53.

Main claims to note:

ambitious scale
integrated arts, teaching and domestic complex
architectural boldness of towers, walkways, concrete
internal quality of public spaces
landscaping and incorporation of St Giles Cripplegate
cultural importance of post-Blitz rebuilding

Lillington Gardens, Pimlico, City of Westminster

Grades II* and II: listed 1998 and 2000

Darbourne and Darke, 1964-72. Harwood, 656.

Main claims to note:

humane reaction against monolithic planning
complex, intricate arrangement of units
place-specific use of brick (big Victorian church nearby)
successful planting and landscaping

Balfron Tower, Poplar, LB Tower Hamlets

Grade II: listed 1996

Erno Goldfinger, 1965-68. Harwood, 568.

Main claims to note:

significant work by major modernist architect
realising vision of Le Corbusier
distinctive service tower with boiler house above
boldness of approach to high-rise units

Trellick Tower, Ladbroke Grove, RB Kensington & Chelsea

Grade II*; listed 1998

Erno Goldfinger, 1968-72. Harwood, 574.

Main claims to note:

as above, plus:
more elegant sculptural treatment of lift tower

Alexandra Road Estate, West Hampstead, LB Camden

Grade II*; listed in 1993

Neave Brown of Camden Architects’ Department, 1972-78. Harwood 578-81

Main claims to note:

the most formal and dramatic of high-density, low-rise designs
modern variant on a long curving terrace
influence of European urbanism: creating large-scale developments

Spa Green Estate, Finsbury, LB Islington

Grade II*, listed 1998

Lubetkin & Skinner, for Finsbury MB; Harwood 486-7

Main claims to note:

very early post-war housing
major modernist architect
architectural interest of elevations
structural innovation: Ove Arup’s box frame

a view of the west side of Sadler House on the Spa Green estate, Clerkenwell, designed by Tecton and built 1946-50

Churchill Gardens, Pimlico, City of Westminster

Grade II, listed in 1998

Powell and Moya, for Westminster; 1947-54; Harwood 584-85

Main claims to note:

1945 competition winner: post-blitz vision of new world
European influence in planning
bold scale
architectural interest of restrained narrow blocks with lift-shafts protruding along roof lines
technical interest of heating: hot waste water from Battersea pumping station

Bevin Court, Bloomsbury, LB Camden

Grade II*, 1998

Sinner, Bailey & Lubetkin 1951-54; Harwood 510-11

Main claims to note:

innovative Y-plan around central stair
flexibility of structure
major architectural practice

Alton Estate, Roehampton, LB Richmond

Grade II*; listed in 1998

LCC Architect’s Department, 1952-60; Harwood 678-82

Main claims to note:

embodiment of post-war thinking on new housing
Le Corbusier influenced slab blocks appear
combination of point blocks, low-rise and bungalows
notable landscaping beside Richmond Park
pioneering concrete panel construction (costs kept down)

Golden Lane Estate, Clerkenwell, City of London

Grades II* and II, listed in 1997

Chamberlin, Powell & Bon, 1953-63; Harwood 598

Main claims to note:

arrival of tall block of flats
new construction method: glass panels on concrete frame
architectural interest of new language of modernism
planning and layout: flats around facilities
heralds arrival of Barbican concrete idiom in later lower part
it was a vision of integrating housing and landscape to create an entirely urban, high-density entity, again anticipating Barbican.