London has a very special spirit that is unlike any other city in the world. It inspires creativity and celebrates different cultures. You can see the character of the capital in several things including in the buildings. But is there one specific style of building that best represents the area? As one of the best teams for residential architecture London has, we would like to take a look.
Regency
Few styles are as beautiful or glamorous as Regency. Although the period was only from 1811 to 1820, there are plenty of iconic buildings in this style. The properties can feature things like porticoes, columns and stunning embellishments. Architects from the period were looking far beyond the minimalism that came before. That is why decorative facades became so popular. Buckingham Palace is probably the most famous example of this style of architecture.
Victorian
This style is a front runner because of the sheer number of terraces built between 1836 and 1910. They became a hallmark of the growth of the city. The homes also found a place in people’s hearts because they were more decorative than previous ones, including features like decorative brickwork and ornate bay windows. The fact that these properties can be adapted easily to suit modern needs shows how good the Victorians were at sustainability.
Mansion Blocks
Spatial problems arose because of the rapid urbanisation in the capital. Victorians and Edwardians had a solution with mansion blocks. The design allowed the creation of several large homes on a single site. The properties would generally take up an entire floor. The buildings tended to have grand communal spaces, including grand entrances and staircases. Sadly many of the homes were split up into smaller flats. Some of the buildings even became shops.
50s and 60s
There was a boom in building post-war because so many buildings had been destroyed and needed to be replaced. The period gave rise to designs like the housing estate, garden city, and Brutalism.
High rise
The race to build upwards came in the 80s in response to even worse spatial problems. Now London is home to a huge number of skyscrapers, many of extensively use concrete, steel and glass. These buildings have changed the character of London forever.
As you can see there are plenty of different styles and it is difficult to put a finger on which best represents the spirit of the city. What is plain to see is when it comes to residential architecture London has plenty to offer.