Blenheim Gardens Estate

Blenheim Gardens Estate is a beautifully maintained and living example of the  1960s public housing vision of Ted Hollamby.

London in the 1950s and '60s was facing a public housing crisis as a consequence of the destruction from World War II and the growing urban population. Driven by government housing density targets, many new-build developments resorted to high-rise blocks, with the accompanying undesired consequence of a loss of community feeling.

In 1963, Hollamby was appointed as the chief architect of the south London borough of Lambeth. He set about implementing his vision of liveable, low-rise public housing, which nevertheless met the practical need of a high density of inhabitants.

Blenheim Gardens Estate, built between 1969 and 1974, is one of the best-preserved examples of such architecture. It remains a lively and mixed community to this day. It has features that characterize the work of Hollamby and his team, including separate vehicular and pedestrian spaces, a landscaped central mall, flats above garaging, and community buildings.