A campaign led by Twentieth Century Society was unable to persuade Historic England to list the estate. As a result demolition began in August 2017 to make way for the Blackwall Reach regeneration project.
Almost 1,600 new homes will be built over the next decade to replace the current 213 flats that make up the estate.
In response to Victoria & Albert’s decision, Catherine Croft, director of Twentieth Century Society, said: “Keeping a small section is by no means an adequate way of preserving all that is important about a great building, but nevertheless we are delighted that some sense of the physical materiality of Robin Hood Gardens will endure.”
Robin Hood Gardens was designed in the Brutalist style by husband and wife team, Alison and Peter Smithson in the late 1960s and completed in 1972.
It was praised at the time for its revolutionary ‘street in the sky’ walk way concept that was devised by the Smithsons.
The V&A plans to add a three-story section of one of the blocks that includes parts of a maisonette flat, to its permanent collection. This is in recognition of the substantial influence the scheme had on architecture at the time.
The Smithsons were regarded as some of the leading thinkers of their generation. Other notable works of theirs includes the Economist building in Mayfair.
Christopher Turner, keeper of the design, architecture and digital department at the V&A, said: “This three-storey section of Robin Hood Gardens, complete with “street in the sky”, is an important piece of Brutalism, worth preserving for future generations.
“It is also an object that will simulate debate around architecture and urbanism today- it raises important questions about the history and future of housing in Britain, and what we want from our cities.”
The V&A has acquired the piece by contributing to the costs of its extradition from the demolition site, which is owned by Tower Hamlets council.
It comes at a time when debate around the UK’s social housing its very much at the fore. The mass sell-off of social housing, cuts in welfare reform and the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy are all prevalent issues.
The museum has yet to reveal its exhibitions plans for the piece. Limited space in the museum’s South Kensington campus point towards its new east London facility in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineVictoria & Albert museum saves part of Tower Hamlets estate from demolition
Short HeadlineV&A saves section of Robin Hood Gardens estate
Standfirst
A campaign led by Twentieth Century Society was unable to persuade Historic England to list the estate. As a result demolition began in August 2017 to make way for the Blackwall Reach regeneration project.
Almost 1,600 new homes will be built over the next decade to replace the current 213 flats that make up the estate.
In response to Victoria & Albert’s decision, Catherine Croft, director of Twentieth Century Society, said: “Keeping a small section is by no means an adequate way of preserving all that is important about a great building, but nevertheless we are delighted that some sense of the physical materiality of Robin Hood Gardens will endure.”
Robin Hood Gardens was designed in the Brutalist style by husband and wife team, Alison and Peter Smithson in the late 1960s and completed in 1972.
It was praised at the time for its revolutionary ‘street in the sky’ walk way concept that was devised by the Smithsons.
The V&A plans to add a three-story section of one of the blocks that includes parts of a maisonette flat, to its permanent collection. This is in recognition of the substantial influence the scheme had on architecture at the time.
The Smithsons were regarded as some of the leading thinkers of their generation. Other notable works of theirs includes the Economist building in Mayfair.
Christopher Turner, keeper of the design, architecture and digital department at the V&A, said: “This three-storey section of Robin Hood Gardens, complete with “street in the sky”, is an important piece of Brutalism, worth preserving for future generations.
“It is also an object that will simulate debate around architecture and urbanism today- it raises important questions about the history and future of housing in Britain, and what we want from our cities.”
The V&A has acquired the piece by contributing to the costs of its extradition from the demolition site, which is owned by Tower Hamlets council.
It comes at a time when debate around the UK’s social housing its very much at the fore. The mass sell-off of social housing, cuts in welfare reform and the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy are all prevalent issues.
The museum has yet to reveal its exhibitions plans for the piece. Limited space in the museum’s South Kensington campus point towards its new east London facility in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
A 2024 Freedom of Information request showed Bromley Council had £4.5 million invested in arms companies that year with £1.5 million reportedly linked to Israel.
Undercover officers raided three linked shops in Barking town centre, revealing how illicit tobacco is being hidden in walls, ceilings and nearby locations to evade detection.
More than 330,000 people across the UK sought support from the Stop It Now helpline in 2025 over concerns about their own or someone else’s online sexual behaviour towards children, according to new charity data. The anonymous service says contacts by phone, email and webchat rose significantly over the year.
