It was developed from designs by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon. Intended to help boost the number of people able to actually live within the City of London and regenerate Cripplegate – an area devastated in World War II, it opened to significant acclaim in 1982. The Standard had been searching for the right building in London for many years and suddenly the stars aligned; the brutalist façade of the Camden Town Hall Annexe already looked like a Standard and was perfectly located at the center of the compass as far as London is concerned”, says Bruce Robertson, Managing Director of The Standard, London, which took over the building.

Islington’s brutalist architecture showcased in new book

One of the best places for immersing yourself in Brutalism in London (or just to get a good photo), Camden’s Alexandra Road Estate was built in 1978 by Neave Brown as an ambitious, idealistic social housing project at a time when council housing was often at the centre of experimental, avant-garde architecture. Listed as Grade II* in 1994, it’s a uniquely atmospheric place to visit today, with two public walkways adorned in greenery and a central park.Its patrons were not from the private sector (in general) but the democratic representatives of the taxpayer. They expressed an idealistic generosity of spirit (long since abandoned) that actively wanted to house every working class family in a home albeit one still owned by the community at large.

Brutal London: A Photographic Exploration of Post-War London Brutal London: A Photographic Exploration of Post-War London

Cut out and build your own Lauderdale Tower from Barbican Estate by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon. The kit includes an informative note on the building. Brutal London presents a new photographic look at a side of the capital which has been ignored for too long. The raw concrete and imposing mass of Brutalist architecture is undeniably part of the fabric of London’s landscape – both visual and social – and part of our urban history. Momentum is now growing to celebrate, reclaim and preserve buildings which were once written off or allowed to decay. At Brutal London we know that everyone has challenges and difficulties in their life but this is what makes us stronger. As it goes, the architect behind the project, Brian Housden had gone to visit influential Dutch designer Gerrit Rietveld. It seems Housden was somewhat in awe of the Dutch master as when Rietveld asked him to see designs for his Hampstead house, Housden became shy and ashamed of his work. The nearest stations are Barbican London Underground station (easy to remember!) and Liverpool Street national rail station.Richard Seifart wielded unmatched influence over the London skyline – but not everyone loves the results. Take Centre Point as an example – unveiled in 1966, it was one of the tallest buildings in London… and one of its most hated. Toby Bricheno– fantastic article on London’s Top Brutalist Buildings https://londonist.com/2012/05/londons-top-brutalist-buildings.php Tom Spooner on Brutalism & Music– An exploration of the relationship between brutalist architecture and music.