London

A city famous for its rapid growth and high cost of living, London is not a place one immediately associates with social housing. Yet the British capital has a long history of such projects: from Henry Roberts’ works for the Society for Improving the Condition of the Labouring Classes in the nineteenth century to the contemporary, RIBA-award-winning Dujardin Mews. 

Divided by period rather than architectural style, this guide focuses on the developments in this often-overlooked field, beginning at the close of the nineteenth century and finishing at the present day. Twentieth-century buildings thus make up the bulk of the guide: the pre-First World War Hampstead Garden Suburb, quintessentially English Mock-Tudor estates, and brutalist icons such as the Barbican are all included. Alongside these well-known works, there are lesser-known works. The urban planner Tjerk Ruimschotel showcases residences in both the heart of the metropolis and its outer suburbs.

Location details, tube stations and maps accompany the projects for easy navigation, and a comprehensive reading list provides inspiration for further investigation. Architectural Guide: London offers an alternative way to view the city’s diverse architecture – where remarkable buildings are frequently hidden in plain sight.