Isokon Flats - Revision history

Editor at 15:28, 18 September 2020

2020-09-18T15:28:51Z

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	Always looking for ways to use plywood, Pritchard made sure each flat included built-in plywood furniture that would be comfortable and functional.		Always looking for ways to use plywood, Pritchard made sure each flat included built-in plywood furniture that would be comfortable and functional.
−
−	~~[[File:IsokonFurniture.jpg\|link=File:IsokonFurniture.jpg]]~~

	Coates and Pritchard had shared interests in architecture, politics and other matters. They worked together to form the Isokon Furniture Company and looked to collaborate on additional housing projects, although this did not in the end happen for both financial and personal reasons.		Coates and Pritchard had shared interests in architecture, politics and other matters. They worked together to form the Isokon Furniture Company and looked to collaborate on additional housing projects, although this did not in the end happen for both financial and personal reasons.

Editor at 17:40, 26 August 2020

2020-08-26T17:40:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:40, 26 August 2020
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	The renovated building houses 20 studio flats (available to key workers through a shared ownership scheme) along with eight larger one-bedroom flats and a penthouse (which are sold outright). In 2014, a gallery, including a restored dressing room and a kitchen, was created in what was originally the building’s garage.		The renovated building houses 20 studio flats (available to key workers through a shared ownership scheme) along with eight larger one-bedroom flats and a penthouse (which are sold outright). In 2014, a gallery, including a restored dressing room and a kitchen, was created in what was originally the building’s garage.
		+
		+	--[[User:Heidi_Schwartz\|Heidi Schwartz]]

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
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	* Skandium, [https://youtu.be/xujl5s5KG3c Isokon video, Part 2].		* Skandium, [https://youtu.be/xujl5s5KG3c Isokon video, Part 2].

−	[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:~~Education~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Education_and_Training~~]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]	+	[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]] [[Category:Education]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]

Designing Buildings at 11:43, 18 August 2020

2020-08-18T11:43:05Z

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	It is constructed primarily from reinforced concrete. This was seen as a drastic departure from the brick and stone residential architecture in the surrounding Hampstead neighbourhood.		It is constructed primarily from reinforced concrete. This was seen as a drastic departure from the brick and stone residential architecture in the surrounding Hampstead neighbourhood.
−
−	~~= History =~~

	The building was designed between 1929 and 1932. It originally housed 32 flats, which were made available to tenants in 1934. In 1937, the communal kitchen was converted into the Isobar restaurant.		The building was designed between 1929 and 1932. It originally housed 32 flats, which were made available to tenants in 1934. In 1937, the communal kitchen was converted into the Isobar restaurant.
−
−	The bar closed in 1969 and was converted into flats when the building was sold to the New Statesmen magazine. In 1972 the building was sold again, this time to Camden Borough Council, which abandoned it and left it in disrepair. Eventually the Council agreed to sell the property to the Notting Hill Housing Trust under one condition: the Trust would agree to invest in a major refurbishment.
−
−	~~It was Grade 1 listed in 1999, and in 2002 Avanti Architects began restoration work, which was completed in 2004.~~
−
−	The renovated building houses 20 studio flats (available to key workers through a shared ownership scheme) along with eight larger one-bedroom flats and a penthouse (which are sold outright). In 2014, a gallery, including a restored dressing room and a kitchen, was created in what was originally the building’s garage.

	= Concepts behind the design =		= Concepts behind the design =

−	Each minimalist studio included a living room, bathroom, micro kitchen and dressing room; eight also included a bedroom. The flats were built from standard ~~pieces and~~ parts in an approach that was common in industrial design.	+	Each minimalist studio included a living room, bathroom, micro kitchen and dressing room; eight also included a bedroom. The flats were built from standard parts in an approach that was common in industrial design.

	Shared space was set aside for staff, a garage and a larger kitchen for communal meal preparation. A dumbwaiter system was used to deliver food from the larger kitchen to the individual flats. Shared balconies were designed to encourage social interaction and spark intellectual exchanges in the classless hierarchy that existed amongst the tenants.		Shared space was set aside for staff, a garage and a larger kitchen for communal meal preparation. A dumbwaiter system was used to deliver food from the larger kitchen to the individual flats. Shared balconies were designed to encourage social interaction and spark intellectual exchanges in the classless hierarchy that existed amongst the tenants.
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	The Isobar restaurant, based on a concept by Marcel Breuer and F.R.S. ("Kay") Yorke, became the backdrop to meals and gatherings of the buildings' residents. Its first manager, Philip Harben, became one of the first television celebrity chefs in Britain.		The Isobar restaurant, based on a concept by Marcel Breuer and F.R.S. ("Kay") Yorke, became the backdrop to meals and gatherings of the buildings' residents. Its first manager, Philip Harben, became one of the first television celebrity chefs in Britain.

−	Over years, the list of architects, politicians, designers, writers and others included Breuer himself along with Walter Gropius, Laszlo Maholy-Nagy and Agatha Christie (who moved to an Isokon Flat with her husband during the Second World War when her home was requisitioned by the Government for the war effort). The British architect Sir James Frazer Stirling was a resident during the early 1960s.	+	Over years, the list of resident architects, politicians, designers, writers and others included Breuer himself along with Walter Gropius, Laszlo Maholy-Nagy and Agatha Christie (who moved to an Isokon Flat with her husband during the Second World War when her home was requisitioned by the Government for the war effort). The British architect Sir James Frazer Stirling was a resident during the early 1960s.

	[[File:Isokon3.jpg\|link=File:Isokon3.jpg]]		[[File:Isokon3.jpg\|link=File:Isokon3.jpg]]
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	[[File:IsokonFurniture.jpg\|link=File:IsokonFurniture.jpg]]		[[File:IsokonFurniture.jpg\|link=File:IsokonFurniture.jpg]]

−	Coates and Pritchard had shared interests in architecture, politics and other matters. They worked together to form Isokon Furniture Company and looked to collaborate on additional housing projects, although this ~~didn’t~~ happen for both financial and personal reasons.	+	Coates and Pritchard had shared interests in architecture, politics and other matters. They worked together to form the Isokon Furniture Company and looked to collaborate on additional housing projects, although this did not in the end happen for both financial and personal reasons.

−	Despite introducing iconic furniture like Breuer’s Long Chair and Egon Riss’s Penguin Donkey bookcase (both included in the photograph above), the Isokon Furniture Company folded during the Second World War. It was restarted in 1963 as ~~[https://isokonplus.com/~~ Isokon Plus].	+	Despite introducing iconic furniture like Breuer’s Long Chair and Egon Riss’s Penguin Donkey bookcase (both included in the photograph above), the Isokon Furniture Company folded during the Second World War. It was restarted in 1963 as Isokon Plus.

	= Why Isokon? =		= Why Isokon? =

−	There are several theories about the origins of the name Isokon. One ~~claims~~ it is a variation on the term 'isometric construction drawing' which was a three dimensional type of architectural drawing. Another theory proposes that it was based on Coates’ use of isometric perspective and constructivist aesthetics. Yet another theory, this one from Isokon Plus, claims it is a contraction of the words ‘Isometric Unit Construction'.	+	There are several theories about the origins of the name Isokon. One suggests it is a variation on the term 'isometric construction drawing' which was a three dimensional type of architectural drawing. Another theory proposes that it was based on Coates’ use of isometric perspective and constructivist aesthetics. Yet another theory, this one from Isokon Plus, claims it is a contraction of the words ‘Isometric Unit Construction'.
		+
		+	= Disrepair and renovation =
		+
		+	The bar closed in 1969 and was converted into flats when the building was sold to the New Statesmen magazine. In 1972 the building was sold again, this time to Camden Borough Council, which abandoned it and left it in disrepair. Eventually the Council agreed to sell the property to the Notting Hill Housing Trust under one condition: the Trust would agree to invest in a major refurbishment.
		+
		+	It was Grade 1 listed in 1999, and in 2002 Avanti Architects began restoration work, which was completed in 2004.
		+
		+	The renovated building houses 20 studio flats (available to key workers through a shared ownership scheme) along with eight larger one-bedroom flats and a penthouse (which are sold outright). In 2014, a gallery, including a restored dressing room and a kitchen, was created in what was originally the building’s garage.

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
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	* Skandium, [https://youtu.be/xujl5s5KG3c Isokon video, Part 2].		* Skandium, [https://youtu.be/xujl5s5KG3c Isokon video, Part 2].

−	[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:Education]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]	+	[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:Education]] [[Category:DCN_Education_and_Training]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]

Designing Buildings at 11:37, 18 August 2020

2020-08-18T11:37:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:37, 18 August 2020
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	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

−	With its ocean liner profile, the stark Isokon Building (also known as the Lawn Road Flats) is home to the Isokon Flats~~. It was designed by the Canadian Engineer Wells Coats on behalf of Molly and Jack Pritchard as an experiment in communal urban living~~.	+	With its ocean liner profile, the stark Isokon Building (also known as the Lawn Road Flats) is home to the Isokon Flats.

−	~~The Isokon Building~~ was one of the first blocks of Modernist flats in Britain. It is constructed primarily from reinforced concrete ~~(another first)~~. ~~Coates’ use of concrete~~ was seen as a drastic departure from the brick and stone residential architecture in the surrounding Hampstead neighbourhood~~, but that was exactly what his clients wanted~~.	+	It was designed by the Canadian Engineer Wells Coats on behalf of Molly and Jack Pritchard as an experiment in communal urban living and was one of the first blocks of Modernist flats in Britain.
		+
		+	It is constructed primarily from reinforced concrete. This was seen as a drastic departure from the brick and stone residential architecture in the surrounding Hampstead neighbourhood.

	= History =		= History =
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	The building was designed between 1929 and 1932. It originally housed 32 flats, which were made available to tenants in 1934. In 1937, the communal kitchen was converted into the Isobar restaurant.		The building was designed between 1929 and 1932. It originally housed 32 flats, which were made available to tenants in 1934. In 1937, the communal kitchen was converted into the Isobar restaurant.

−	The bar closed in 1969 and was converted into flats when the building was sold to the New Statesmen magazine. In 1972 the building was ~~renamed the Isokon Building and~~ sold again, this time to ~~the~~ Camden ~~London~~ Borough Council, which abandoned ~~the building~~ and left it in disrepair. Eventually the Council agreed to sell the property to Notting Hill Housing Trust under one condition: the Trust would agree to invest in a major refurbishment ~~that would bring the building back to its architectural significance~~.	+	The bar closed in 1969 and was converted into flats when the building was sold to the New Statesmen magazine. In 1972 the building was sold again, this time to Camden Borough Council, which abandoned it and left it in disrepair. Eventually the Council agreed to sell the property to the Notting Hill Housing Trust under one condition: the Trust would agree to invest in a major refurbishment.

−	~~In 2002, Avanti Architects began restoration work on the building (which~~ was Grade 1 listed in 1999~~). The restoration took 18 months~~ and was completed in 2004.	+	It was Grade 1 listed in 1999, and in 2002 Avanti Architects began restoration work, which was completed in 2004.

−	The renovated building houses 20 studio flats (available to key workers through a shared ownership scheme) along with eight larger one-bedroom flats and a penthouse (which are sold outright). In 2014, a ~~[https://isokongallery.org/~~ gallery], including a restored dressing room and a kitchen, was created in what was originally the building’s garage.	+	The renovated building houses 20 studio flats (available to key workers through a shared ownership scheme) along with eight larger one-bedroom flats and a penthouse (which are sold outright). In 2014, a gallery, including a restored dressing room and a kitchen, was created in what was originally the building’s garage.

	= Concepts behind the design =		= Concepts behind the design =

Editor at 08:34, 15 August 2020

2020-08-15T08:34:51Z

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	= Why Isokon? =		= Why Isokon? =

−	~~Always slightly controversial, there~~ are several theories about the origins of the name Isokon. One claims it is a variation on the term 'isometric construction drawing' which was a three dimensional type of architectural drawing. Another theory proposes that it was based on ~~Coats’~~ use of isometric perspective and constructivist aesthetics. Yet another theory, this one from Isokon Plus, claims it is a contraction of ‘Isometric Unit Construction'.	+	There are several theories about the origins of the name Isokon. One claims it is a variation on the term 'isometric construction drawing' which was a three dimensional type of architectural drawing. Another theory proposes that it was based on Coates’ use of isometric perspective and constructivist aesthetics. Yet another theory, this one from Isokon Plus, claims it is a contraction of the words ‘Isometric Unit Construction'.

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

Editor at 08:32, 15 August 2020

2020-08-15T08:32:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:32, 15 August 2020
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	One notorious resident was Dr Arnold Deutsch, an agent known for recruiting Soviet spies. Estimates indicate that as many as 30 Soviet agents lived in the Isokon Flats between the 1930s and the 1960s.		One notorious resident was Dr Arnold Deutsch, an agent known for recruiting Soviet spies. Estimates indicate that as many as 30 Soviet agents lived in the Isokon Flats between the 1930s and the 1960s.

−	The Pritchards lived in their penthouse flat from 1934 until the mid 1970s. It was rumoured that Pritchard would only allow interesting people to live in the flats, but it seems as though those who shared ~~their~~ views were the main people attracted to the idea of living ~~there~~.	+	The Pritchards lived in their penthouse flat from 1934 until the mid 1970s. It was rumoured that Pritchard would only allow interesting people to live in the flats, but it seems as though those who shared his views were the main people attracted to the idea of living in Isokon Flats.

	= The furnishings =		= The furnishings =

Editor at 08:30, 15 August 2020

2020-08-15T08:30:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:30, 15 August 2020
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	Each minimalist studio included a living room, bathroom, micro kitchen and dressing room; eight also included a bedroom. The flats were built from standard pieces and parts in an approach that was common in industrial design.		Each minimalist studio included a living room, bathroom, micro kitchen and dressing room; eight also included a bedroom. The flats were built from standard pieces and parts in an approach that was common in industrial design.

−	Shared space was set aside for staff, a garage and a larger kitchen for communal meal preparation. A dumbwaiter system was used to deliver food from the larger kitchen to the individual flats. Shared balconies were designed to encourage social interaction and spark intellectual ~~exchange~~ in the classless hierarchy amongst the tenants	+	Shared space was set aside for staff, a garage and a larger kitchen for communal meal preparation. A dumbwaiter system was used to deliver food from the larger kitchen to the individual flats. Shared balconies were designed to encourage social interaction and spark intellectual exchanges in the classless hierarchy that existed amongst the tenants.

−	Instructions for the floorplans came from Jack Pritchard, who wanted an egalitarian approach ~~to urban living~~ based on Le Corbusier’s idea that homes should be 'machines for living'. The Pritchards hoped the flats would allow them to separate themselves from the bourgeois middle class and provide a place for other like-minded people to live and socialise under the same conditions.	+	Instructions for the floorplans came from Jack Pritchard, who wanted an egalitarian approach based on Le Corbusier’s idea that homes should be 'machines for living'. The Pritchards hoped the flats would allow them to separate themselves from the bourgeois middle class and provide a place for other like-minded people to live and socialise under the same conditions.

	= The residents =		= The residents =

Editor at 08:28, 15 August 2020

2020-08-15T08:28:16Z

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	= Concepts behind the design =		= Concepts behind the design =

−	Each minimalist studio included a living room, bathroom, micro kitchen and dressing room; eight also included a ~~dedicated~~ bedroom. The flats were built from standard pieces and parts in an approach that was common in industrial design.	+	Each minimalist studio included a living room, bathroom, micro kitchen and dressing room; eight also included a bedroom. The flats were built from standard pieces and parts in an approach that was common in industrial design.

	Shared space was set aside for staff, a garage and a larger kitchen for communal meal preparation. A dumbwaiter system was used to deliver food from the larger kitchen to the individual flats. Shared balconies were designed to encourage social interaction and spark intellectual exchange in the classless hierarchy amongst the tenants		Shared space was set aside for staff, a garage and a larger kitchen for communal meal preparation. A dumbwaiter system was used to deliver food from the larger kitchen to the individual flats. Shared balconies were designed to encourage social interaction and spark intellectual exchange in the classless hierarchy amongst the tenants

Editor at 08:26, 15 August 2020

2020-08-15T08:26:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:26, 15 August 2020
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	= Why Isokon? =		= Why Isokon? =

−	Always slightly controversial, there are several theories about the origins of the name Isokon. One claims it is a variation on the term 'isometric construction drawing' which was a three dimensional type of architectural drawing. Another theory proposes that it was based on ~~Coats’s~~ use of isometric perspective and constructivist aesthetics. Yet another theory, this one from Isokon Plus, claims it is a contraction of ‘Isometric Unit Construction'.	+	Always slightly controversial, there are several theories about the origins of the name Isokon. One claims it is a variation on the term 'isometric construction drawing' which was a three dimensional type of architectural drawing. Another theory proposes that it was based on Coats’ use of isometric perspective and constructivist aesthetics. Yet another theory, this one from Isokon Plus, claims it is a contraction of ‘Isometric Unit Construction'.

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

Editor at 19:01, 14 August 2020

2020-08-14T19:01:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:01, 14 August 2020
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	* [https://isokongallery.org/ Isokon Gallery].		* [https://isokongallery.org/ Isokon Gallery].
	* [https://isokonplus.com/ Isokon Plus].		* [https://isokonplus.com/ Isokon Plus].
−	* Skandium, [~~[w/index.php?title=W/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DHttps~~://youtu.be/zPkjBywLWWk~~%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1&action=edit&redlink=1\|~~Isokon video, Part 1]].	+	* Skandium, [https://youtu.be/zPkjBywLWWk Isokon video, Part 1].
	* Skandium, [https://youtu.be/xujl5s5KG3c Isokon video, Part 2].		* Skandium, [https://youtu.be/xujl5s5KG3c Isokon video, Part 2].

	[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:Education]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]		[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:Education]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]