Crescent House

In 1962, Crescent House gracefully emerged on London’s Golden Lane Estate. This striking four-story structure, designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, is more than just a residential building. It’s a piece of architectural history, a Grade II* listed building. Crescent House echoes the design language of its more famous sibling, the Barbican Estate, also designed by the same architectural firm. Crescent House boasts a unique curve that follows the path of Goswell Road, a design choice inspired by Le Corbusier’s Maisons Jaoul. This curve, combined with the blend of timber and concrete finishes, contributes to its architectural significance. The building’s façade is a story in itself. Each pair of flats along Goswell Road is nestled under distinctive “eyebrows,” arched cornices that span the width of each flat. The arrangement is staggered to complement the building’s curve. The windows, primarily dark-stained hardwood, are a mix of centrally-hung casements and aluminum side-opening lights. As you look up at Crescent House, imagine life inside. The flats, despite being within a curved structure, are surprisingly rectangular. Each one features hardwood veneer floors and a head-high partition creating a bedroom area. A glazed screen traditionally separates the kitchen and dining area in the original design. More recent renovations have focused on improving the building’s sustainability, while respecting its historic listing. One such renovation, completed by TYPE Architects in 2020, prioritized a “fabric first” approach. The architects focused on upgrading the thermal performance of a studio flat by internally insulating the walls and ceilings. They used innovative materials like honeycomb cardboard for sliding partitions and Ecoboard for joinery, proving that sustainable choices can also be affordable and stylish. The refurbishment also cleverly subdivided the open-plan space to create distinct zones for contemporary living, including a hidden drying area, a dedicated office space, and a discreet utility cupboard. Crescent House isn’t just a building; it’s an embodiment of architectural evolution, a testament to how design can adapt to the changing needs of its inhabitants while preserving its historical integrity.