1-30 Christchurch Square, E9

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This is an outstanding housing development designed by John Spence and Partners in 1967-77. It was built in an area that was once occupied by a church on the Crown Estate. Located near Victoria Park and the Regent’s Canal the overall form of the development is a series of large apartment blocks ranging from three- to five-storeys with mews houses. Four-storey blocks to the north guard the estate from the busy Victoria Park Road. The development succeeds in echoing the Victorian street pattern. Most of the estate consists of two-storey mews houses designed with little decorative detail. They are constructed in a warm brick with simple aluminium windows and canopies over the doors. The interest and merit of the housing development lies in the mixture of housing types and the division of the estate into a series of closes and courtyards, which creates a series of intimate spaces - promoting communitarian living. The landscaping and overall layout of the site is of interest. The connection between spaces is complex and well-planned. Gates, walls, raised beds, clay pavers are well considered with many of the hard landscaping features such as raised beds having a sculptural/cubist effect. The use of brick is also done with sensitivity - houses, pavers, walls are constructed with warm bricks of contrasting colours. There is also a very restrained use of concrete as a decorative feature creating horizontal courses in peripheral buildings.

Modernist

Post-war (1945-2000)

houses and flats

This modern housing development is very sensitive to the Victorian vernacular of adjacent streets and buildings. The quality of landscaping including different levels in Christchurch Square and retention of original trees is excellent; as is the separation of people and traffic creating safe playable spaces. This is a good example of a post-war mixed development by an important 20th century architect.