Close up: London’s brutalist architecture
Dawson’s Heights, 1968-1972, by Kate Macintosh
I felt I had to start this piece with Dawson Heights. Each morning with my dog Zuri by my side, I step out to collect my coffee from Oru Space. At that point, I always have to take a moment to appreciate the view before me. Right there, amongst the cityscape, Dawson Heights appears like a floating masterpiece.
In a city that’s always changing, I find something so comforting about its constant presence and how it’s always there watching over me. As dawn moves to dusk, the building’s character is transformed, and I can’t decide if I prefer it gently basking in the morning sunlight or sharply illuminated at night.
It’s important to note that this social housing project was designed by Kate Macintosh between 1968-72 as part of the London Borough of Southwark’s in-house architecture department. Kate was only 26 at the time. Her well-considered yet bold output has created a positive legacy and the perfect spot for social interaction. Zuri loves it here. It feels like there is a sense of community from the courtyard and basketball courts. It feels used but in the best kind of way.
Image above shot at Dawson’s Heights, East Dulwich
Centre Point, 1963-1966, by Richard Seifert & Partners
Brutalism flourished in the 1950s. Flourished maybe isn’t the right word when most buildings feature sharp edges, rough textures, and small windows. Centre Point was completed in 1966 and ticks all the boxes, coming in at a soaring 117 metres, it was the optimism that post-war London needed. This well-formed beast remained underused for years until, in 2010, it was acquired by developer Almacantar, which enlisted Conran and Partners to bring the building up to date. The result sees a series of modern apartments and spaces, including a pool and private lounge areas with screening rooms and treatment rooms for their guests.
Image above shot at Centre Point, Tottenham Court Road
National Theatre, 1976, by Denys Lasdun
The National Theatre may not be for everyone, but I truly think it combines form and function. Sir Denys Lasdun isn’t shy to building prominent buildings in London, having also worked on the Royal College of Physicians, the theatre remains a focal point of the Thames.
The layers of austere concrete play with proportions, it’s hard not to want to get lost in the different details of the building. The 2015 refurb by Haworth Tompkins has definitely cemented this as a go-to spot for tourists and locals alike.
