Crescent House / TYPE

Site as found: A 3rd floor studio flat in Grade 2* listed Crescent House, on Golden Lane Estate. Built in the early 1960s, Crescent House is seen as a stepping stone to the design and detailing of the Barbican Estate, by the same architects Chamberlin, Powell, and Bon. What were the challenges presented by the existing building/site? The project had three main challenges; the first was that the flat and the key components within the flat were Grade 2* listed. Any work that was to be undertaken had to be carefully considered against the historic value of the existing elements. The second was that the flat was built in 1960, and had little to no insulation, and significant damp and condensation issues. The Local Authority understands this and is in the process of carrying out major works to upgrade the existing windows to double/triple glazing on the external facades of the block. Our design aimed to rise to the ambition of the LA façade retrofit, but designing the other elements was a challenge as we had no information on what their work would look like. The third challenge was to adapt the studio to contemporary life which was no longer reflective of the three zones originally designed; living, dining, and sleeping.