DMA

Designed by the architects, Powell and Moya, for Westminster City Council, Churchill Gardens comprises 1,661 dwellings built as 36 blocks overlooking the Thames. The estate is within a conservation area and includes several Grade II listed buildings. It won a Civic Trust Award in 1961 and is widely recognised as one of the finest modernist influenced housing schemes of the post war period.

When Westminster City Council planned a major programme of external repairs and maintenance to the estate, DMA were appointed to produce the Heritage Statements to support the applications for the works to three of the listed buildings. We worked closely with English Heritage, Westminster planners, the client and contractor to find acceptable methods to repair and upgrade the buildings whilst preserving their character and appearance. As part of the upgrades, the Council saw an opportunity to try and bring the external colour schemes (a key part of Powell & Moya’s approach) closer to the original spirit of the design. DMA researched and advised on colours and materials, including by tracking down the original Powell & Moya archive and using it to inform the upgrade.