DMA

‘The White Flats’ film was made to celebrate the work of architect, Peter Tábori, who died in February 2023. It explores the qualities of Highgate New Town Phase 1 (known as the Whittington Estate), a housing estate built for the London Borough of Camden between 1972 and 1979, from the perspective of its residents. Designed by Peter Tábori and Ken Adie as part of the Council’s in-house team, the estate provides 275 homes arranged in a series of south-facing, low-rise terraces, which step down Dartmouth Park Hill, and are positioned around four pedestrianised streets and a central green space. Having lived on the estate for many years and brought up their families there, architects, Jo McCafferty (Levitt Bernstein) and Rachel Stevenson (DMA) and film editor, Anna Price, wanted to showcase this 45 year old estate as an exemplar of good housing design.

When they asked other residents if they would like to get involved, there was an overwhelming response, with all sorts of people offering their time and their skills. The resulting film has been created entirely by residents, who have shot it, edited it, composed the music, provided photographs and reminiscences, and starred in it. There was no budget – all resources and skills were given voluntarily by the community. It was an estate-wide collaboration, communicating the lived experience of residents of all ages and is a powerful reminder of the impact of good housing and its ability to encourage community life and neighbourliness.

The first screening was at a memorial event for Peter Tábori in November 2023 at the University of Westminster, where it was very well received by Peter’s family, friends and colleagues, as well as many residents, architects and students. The final cut was then shown at the local primary school in May 2024, attracting around 300 people. Since then, it has been used to launch the NLA Housing Expert Panel’s series on using lived experience to shape our city’s future housing and has been screened for both Camden and Islington’s Planning Departments, with more screenings planned in London, Liverpool and Newcastle. It was also screened at the Better Cities Film Festival in Detroit.

We very much hope that the film is shared widely, unlocking conversations about what good housing can achieve, and hopefully influencing both designers and policy makers.