02 | 2020 HOT DIP GALVANIZING
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Photos | Peter Cook (1,3), John Maltby / RIBA Library Photographs Collection (2), Will Scott (4,5)
by Iqbal Johal
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Great Arthur House, London John Robertson Architects (JRA) has completed the recladding of Great Arthur House for the City of London Corporation, a Grade II listed landmark, part of the Golden Lane Estate originally designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon and completed in 1956. Influenced by the work of Le Corbusier, the design of the Estate was regarded as a model of social integration with early tenants including doctors, police officers, secretaries, cleaners and caretakers – with an emphasis on one bedroom flats for single people and couples.
Great Arthur House has been restored, taking a 1950s design classic into the 21st century with the replacement curtain wall contributing to the estate wide regeneration. The striking yellow colour is now clearly expressed and provides a welcome counterpoint to the lower blocks of flats and maisonettes at the Golden Lane Estate clad in contrasting primary hues. In addition to replacement of the curtain wall, JRA has restored the pergola and distinctive oversailing curved roof feature, which is cited as one of the first purely decorative motifs to appear on a modern building in London.
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