Ossulston Estate, Viennese flair in Somers Town

Most planned estates from the 1920s do not include amenities. Ossulston Estate is the exception to the rule with a tavern included in the scheme in reflection of similar continental schemes. These especial functions are included in the lowest sections of the Super Blocks and always frame an entrance to an inner courtyard.

The white render on the facades is reminiscent of the Carl Seitz Hof and modernist architecture. Here structured render is applied to enliven the visual perception of the block. In the axis of the north court a large gate gives access to the street beyond. The facade is also symmetrical. The new planting is rather sparse compared to Viennese examples.

The largest part of the estate is composed of 6 storey blocks of flats that link together around courtyards. The balconies look out over the adjoining courtyard, that in this case is completely paved. The horizontal lines of the architecture reduce the visual height of the buildings.

Large gates give access to the complex. Each perforation of the block is emphasised in the architecture and placed in a central axial position within the spatial composition and facade. The facades have a ground floor in natural stone thus breaking the visual height of the building. The facade is composed of repeated symmetrical groupings of elements (i.e. windows, balconies and chimneys).

The same compositional devices are employed on the facades facing inner courtyards. The whole complex is very reminiscent of the Carl Seitz Hof (formerly known as Garden City Floridsdorf).

The windows have a rectangular shape with a strong vertical aspect, but they are arranged in horizontal ribbons on the facade. Widow bays break the surface of the facade and segment the facade. The shops that were part of the original scheme still function. Again this special function sits besides an entrance to an inner courtyard.

By playing with the height of the various sections of the Super Block, Topham Forrest creates visual interest and reduces the visual impact of what would otherwise have been a massive structure. It also provides him with opportunities to emphasize certain parts of the building and thus exaggerate the gateways to the inner courtyards.