brutalist project / croydon

Updated: Jun 2, 2018

Overton's Yard Wall by tennyson / wood

After visiting and later researching Robin Hood Gardens, we felt intrigued to find what other Brutalist architecture could be found in our capital. We decided to start in Croydon in South London, known for its aspiring high-rise developments at a time when Brutalism was at its height, and even gained the nickname "Space-Age Croydon" because of the futuristic sci-fi style buildings that emerged during this period.

Apollo House by tennyson / wood

Croydon was subject to a sixties architecture boom that was encouraged by politician and chairman of the planning and financial commitees Sir James Marshall. Marshall was ambitious and possessed an autocratic attitude to business, with the aim of turning his simple market town into a modern metropolis that would attract the middle-classes to South London. He was able to secure the Croydon Corporation Act, that would allow him to demolish the existing town to build his own dream city. An opportune ban set by Labour Deputy Leader George Brown in 1963 that prevented the construction of tall buildings in Central London sent businesses flocking to Croydon.

No1 Croydon by tennyson / wood

So much effort and money were put into making Croydon the centre of business that residents felt alienated from their own community, as thousands of square feet of communal space was used for high rise buildings and car parks. The town seemed to only cater for business men who would drive out of Croydon at the end of the day. Unfortunately, Croydon's hurried rise to the top crashed by the mid 1970s when financial strains halted building work, sending businesses elsewhere.

50p Building by tennyson / wood

Among the buildings erected within that time frame, some are considered Brutalist and built by leading members of the architectural aesthetic. Coined as the “50p” building due to its hexagonal design, No. 1 Croydon or formerly known as the NLA Tower stands proudly besides one of the main stations in Croydon. It was completed in 1970 by architect Richard Seifert whose practice R. Seifert and Partners was responsible for many urban regeneration projects built in the Brutalist-style. His buildings appear all over London, including Centre Point by Tottenham Court Road.

No1 Building Levels by tennyson / wood

The property developer responsible for financing Centre Point, elusive British millionaire Harry Hyams, commissioned two neighbouring buildings in Croydon: Lunar and Apollo House. Their names and design were inspired by the Apollo 11 landing on the moon in 1969, the year of their completion. Lunar House features pair of concrete wings as if prepared for take-off, while Apollo House is equipped with a landing pod-like structure sticking out from above. Hyams' obsession with outer space and buildings that also includes Seifert's Corinthian House contributed to Croydon being synonymous with space-age architecture.

Lunar House by tennyson / wood

Ryland House sits by the Old Town, void of No.1 Croydon's smooth edges or Lunar House's sci-fi components, opting instead for rough textures lined with solid slabs of concrete. Beside it in Overton's Yard there's a patterned concrete wall covering the car park. It can be found hidden down a secluded side street cut off from the bustle of Surrey Street Market where you can find a surreptitious Schoony installation, or Tracy Emin's scrawled neon writing hanging above the market, or even a Banksy graffiti round the corner proclaiming yet another thought-provoking idea.

Ryland House by tennyson / wood

Ryland House Tower by tennyson / wood

If you want to learn more about the Brutalism in the area, 'A Journey Through Brutalism' is an exhibition currently on at RISEgallery in Croydon until the 16th April. It includes an animation by Laurent Bompard, artwork by Adam Halliday and sculpture by Charlie Lang, as well as other works by talented artists. It is definitely worth checking out! To coincide with the exhibit, the National Trust has organised an 'Edge City' walking tour of Croydon's brutalist history.

https://www.rise-gallery.co.uk/exhibition/a-journey-through-brutalism/

Check out our drawings of Croydon's buildings below: