Why is the Whittington Estate also known as Highgate New Town? It is a fascinating place with a rich history.
Welcome to the Whittington Estate. This housing estate sits in the London Borough of Camden. It is a prime example of modernist design. Peter Tábori and Ken Adie designed it for Camden Council. Construction began in 1972. It finished in 1979, five years behind schedule.
Tábori originally designed it as his final-year project. He was a student at the Regent Street Polytechnic. Back then, it was called Highgate New Town. Sydney Cook, head of Camden Architects Department, commissioned Tábori. He wanted Tábori to make the estate a reality.
The Whittington Estate has six parallel terraces. Pedestrian streets run between them. Precast concrete is the primary building material. Dark-stained timber frames the doors and windows. The Camden Architects Department was famous. They applied low-rise, high-density designs to housing estates. Sydney Cook led this initiative in the 60s and 70s. The Whittington Estate shows this design principle. Flats are in a ziggurat arrangement. Each flat has a south-facing balcony or terrace. This gives each flat lots of natural light.
The estate includes a small park. There is also a sports pitch and a children’s playground. Numerous planters add greenery to the streets. The pedestrian streets are safe and walkable. Children can play and residents can socialize. Many cats also roam the estate.
The Whittington Estate replaced outdated Victorian-era residences. These residences housed the working class. Tábori’s design promoted community. It used environmentally sensitive urban planning. For example, the four pedestrian pathways have different plants and trees. This breaks up visual monotony. It helps people find their way using natural landmarks. Play areas are located throughout the grounds.
The six stepped terraces create strong horizontal lines. They also allow natural light into each flat. Every unit had its own private, south-facing balcony or courtyard. Kitchens face the pedestrian paths and play areas. Interiors are airy and flexible. Partitions and panels slide to open or close walls.
The Whittington Estate differs from other high-rise projects. It is lower to the ground. This makes it seem more natural. This is despite the use of precast concrete. The project faced issues. It started in 1972. It was not done until 1979. It also cost £9 million.
The Twentieth Century Society (C20) recognized its significance in 2020. They supported granting it protected status. The estate has been called “Costa del Camden”. Its stepped design reminded locals of holiday apartments.
The Whittington Estate stands as a testament to modernist ideals. It shows community-focused design. It offers a unique living environment. The Whittington Estate remains a celebrated part of Camden’s social housing history.