Alexandra Road Estate, also known as Rowley Way, is one of London’s most recognisable housing estates, both for its architecture and its history of creation. Located in the north London borough of Camden, the estate has become an icon of Brutalism and an experiment in social housing. Initiated in the 1960s, the project is one of the most important examples of post-war residential architecture in England.
The Metropolitan Borough of Camden, created in 1964, consisted of three distinct neighbourhoods: Hampstead, Holborn and St Pancras. Each of these neighbourhoods had its own unique characteristics and population, ranging from intellectuals to affluent residents to radicals. This diverse social background provided the foundation for an ambitious housing policy that aimed to create modern, high quality social housing. In this context, under the leadership of architect Sydney Cook, the Camden Department of Urban Architecture was established and became a forge for innovative housing projects. One of the best-known fruits of its work is precisely the Alexandra Road Estate, designed by Neave Brown.
Giogo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The basic plan for the Alexandra Road estate was drawn up in 1968, although it was not without controversy. The project was initially met with resistance from the Camden Planning Department, who were concerned that the low-rise development would not provide sufficient density. Neave Brown, the project’s chief architect, proposed innovative solutions to prevent this problem, as well as creating a welcoming urban space. The project was finally approved in 1969 and construction began three years later, in 1972. The Alexandra Road Estate occupies a crescent-shaped site, with the main entrance at the western end on Abbey Road, made famous by the Beatles’ album cover. The complex consists of three parallel blocks that run east to west. It is bounded to the south by Boundary Road, to the east by Loudoun Road, to the west by Abbey Road and to the north by the West Coast Main Line railway tracks.
The design of the estate was a response to the challenges posed by the proximity of the railway line. The tallest block, eight storeys high, was designed in the form of a ziggurat to act as an acoustic barrier to protect the interior of the complex from train noise. This block rests on rubber sleepers to minimise vibration. When designing Alexandra Road, Neave Brown aimed to create a new model of urbanism, inspired by traditional English streets. Each dwelling was to have a direct connection to the high street, as well as access to private outdoor space such as a roof garden or terrace. Brown sought to redefine the notion of urban living, with an emphasis on social inclusion and the creation of spaces that encourage interaction between residents.
The residential blocks are varied in size and layout of the flats. The tallest of the blocks, an eight-storey block, houses duplexes on the top two floors, with a gallery running the entire length of the building on the seventh floor. The other two blocks are lower, each with four floors. The flats in these blocks have access to terraces and gardens that overlook the four-hectare park. A total of 520 flats with 1, 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms have been built. The duplexes have bedrooms on the ground floor and a living room on the ground floor. Each room has a balcony with fully glazed sliding doors, and inside, sliding panels have been used to divide the living space. In addition to the flats, the complex also includes a school, an estate and youth club, a car park and a park.
Although the Alexandra Road Estate is now recognised as a masterpiece of Brutalism and an example of an innovative approach to social housing, its history has not been without its problems. The estate was complex and expensive to build, leading to significant budget overruns. In addition, once the development was completed, there were problems with the building materials – the concrete that dominates the structure of the estate proved susceptible to damp and required costly maintenance. Problems also arose with the heating. The central heating system, hidden in the walls, proved difficult to manage, leading to some residents complaining of excessive heat in their flats. Camden City Council had to intervene, offering residents discounts on their heating bills until the problem was resolved.
Despite its difficulties, the Alexandra Road Estate is today recognised as one of the most important works of residential architecture in the UK. In 1993, the estate was granted Grade II listed status, highlighting its architectural and historical significance. In 1994, the estate was declared a conservation area. Alexandra Road Estate is also an example of how architecture can influence community life. The layout of the estate, with its pedestrian streets and communal spaces, promotes social integration and the building of bonds between residents. This estate is proof that social housing can be both functional and aesthetically significant.
Source: en.wikiarquitectura.com, architectuul.com
Also read: Architecture | Brutalism | Urbanism | Concrete | London | UK
