Golden Lane, 2001–22
Golden Lane Estate was built between 1952 and 1962, to the designs of architects Chamberlain, Powell and Bon.
The Estate is a key example in the UK of post-war urban design influenced by Modernist theory and form, in particular the work of Le Corbusier. Many of the ideas originally realised at Golden Lane informed the design of other social housing developments within the United Kingdom. The Estate was listed grade II / II* in 1997, in recognition of its architectural and historic significance.
The design of the Estate achieves a high density of living accommodation; with an interlocking arrangement of predominantly six-storey residential buildings coalescing around a seventeen storey residential tower, and community facilities, set within areas of open space.
The dwellings are compact and efficiently planned, but with an emphasis on light and transparency that gives a greater sense of volume. Many of the dwellings have full-height glazing, balconies, double-height spaces, clerestories, partially glazed screens, sliding partitions, and free-standing walls.
The architecture of the Estate is characterised by a palette of common materials and details, composed within strongly defined geometries. Bold use of colour is a defining feature; particularly evident externally, but originally also used extensively for internal surfaces within dwellings.
Section through typical building
Living room plan, fourth floor
Colour investigations
Past alterations have lead to the incremental loss of some of the Estate’s original qualities, in particular its interior spaces.
We have renovated a number of different Golden Lane apartments over the past few years, and have accumulated a detailed knowledge of the Estate and its original design. We have enjoyed the opportunity to sensitively upgrade, reveal details, and in some cases restore flat layouts for clients who appreciate the Estate’s unique qualities.
Section through typical building
Living room plan, fourth floor
Colour investigations