THE FREE-STANDER Sta.—In the Spectator some time ago John Betjeman
comments on the housing scheme for the Corporation of London in Golden Lane and directs the full weight of his personal dis- Pleasure on a feature topping the highest block. As the designers of this insult to St. Paul's may we write a few words—if not in defence of our inexcusable temerity—at least by way of extenuation.
First, as to function; the roof of the building, sixteen storeys above ground, forms a terrace for the residents, and to free it for this use the lift motor room and the water tanks containing 10,000 gallons are raised in the air and grouped with the large boiler flue to form protective canopies.
Secondly, as to appearance; the structure is Composed of parabolic curves as a foil to the rigid rectangularity of the buildings below. Each wing hovers over one-half of the estate, with its underside reflecting the flickering play of light from a pool on the roof terrace below. Thus necessary, but by themselves uninspiring, elements are grouped and given clear and distinctive form.
Since reading — many years ago—Mr. Betjeman's Ghastly Good Taste we had thought him as being on the side of the angels, and it is therefore all the more disappointing that these concrete but none the less celestial wings should have provoked him so. We trust, however, that those who now dislike this feature may, when the early unfamiliarity of its form has worn off, come to see the point which will, of course, be more apparent when the whole scheme—of which this feature is but a part—reaches fruition. It is in any case some half a mile from the Cathedral and only half as high.—Yours faithfully,
CHAMBERLIN, POWELL AND BON
Architects Avenue Studios, 15 Sydney Mews, Fulham Road, London, SW3
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