Spatial Composition
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Type A: Three or Four-storey blocks of modernist flats ; two- or threebedroom, with direct access in pairs. Type B: Three-storey blocks of modernist flats: Single-bedroom and bed-sitting room with gallery access. Type C: Two-storey blocks of two-bedroom flatted houses, each with a small private garden. Type D: Two-storey terrace houses, with three bedrooms and private garden. Type E: Terrace of single-storey bungalows with bed recess; these are for old people, Figure 8: Typology Map Source: Authors Own adapted from maps obtained from EDINA Digimap Service
Somerford Grove was an early, if not the first, example of what was later coined mixed development.21 Unlike previous interwar council housing schemes dominated by two- and threebed family housing, Somerford Grove consisted of a range of different dwellings to suit the cities changing demographics.22 Although this change came from a social need, with over a third of hackney residents on the waiting list only requiring one bedroom23, Gibbered saw this as an opportunity to exercise his thoughts on aesthetics of variety he had developed over the war period.24
actors designing to different needs. Concluding that this form of piecemeal development “even though it may have little unity, is more alive and interesting than many planned areas.” 26 Gibbered aiming to replicate a piecemeal aesthetic design 5 different typologies to form Somerford Grove. The site considered of a mix of: "Type A: Three or Four-storey blocks of modernist flats ; two- or threebedroom, with direct access in pairs. Type B: Three-storey blocks of modernist flats: Single-bedroom and bed-sitting room with gallery access. Type C: Two-storey blocks of two-bedroom flatted houses, each with a small private garden. Type D: Two-storey terrace houses, with three bedrooms and private garden. Type E: Terrace of single-storey bungalows with bed recess; these are for old people, "27
Becoming increasingly critical of the homogeneity he saw in many modernist schemes. Often consisting of the repetition of one form or block type. “No matter how good the design, a large scheme composed of only one of these forms of development will be a dull environment to live in, through the over-all sameness of the scene.”25 Gibbered saw the solution in the introduction of variety, inspired by vernacular towns he had analysed. Their variety and complexity developed over time through competing force of multiple
(They typologies have be categorised into types so they can later be referred to with more ease) 8
