Thresholds

Figure 25 Figure 24 Figure 23

Figure 27

Figure 26

Public Landscaped Amenity Space Public Hardscaped Amenity Space Entrances Private Amenity Space (Back-gardens)

Figure 22: Map of the sites amenity provision and entrance. Source: Authors Own adapted from maps obtained from EDINA Digimap Service

An element of the scheme that Gibberd had not written about but clearly shows his inclusion of picturesque principles, is his treatment of entrance thresholds. Doorways on the estate show a clear disregard for the rejection of ornamentation promoted by modernism with each having some form of detailing embellishing them. As part of Gibberd's ‘urban scenes’, they needed to not only “function properly” but must also be “aesthetically satisfying” to ensure they didn't upset the larger composition44. Coloured tiling frames the entrance to the flats (Type A), Woven metal trellises adorned the bungalows and the terrace have porches reminiscent of Georgian detailing, each differing slightly in shape to its neighbour.

The configuration of the flat entrances has helped generate a more humane environment by affording residents space to comfortably connect. Type A: Sheltered overhead by private balconies and framed either side by two perchable planters, the threshold permits residents a space to dwell before entering or exiting. The wide inset doorway allowing residents their personal space, making interactions with strangers more comfortable. Collectively this results in a space that affords residents the possibility of a chance interaction. Type C: Has an equally if not more sociable arrangement. Despite consisting of flats all the entrances go straight onto a shared external square. Akin to the Tyneside flat typology, the access to the above flat is via an internal staircase with a door at street level. The square a space for casual interaction, animated by the four doors and shared bin stores nestled between them.

Type B, however, is not as successful, similar to other modernist developments at the time it has a more utilitarian approach to its threshold. An abrupt unsheltered door greets residents that they open into narrow external deck access. The lack of depth engenders a space where you fell less comfortable dwelling or interacting with other people. Type B entrances are also not very well overlooked facing mainly onto blank walls and service roads. Whereas Type A face onto either green public square or public street both heavily overlooked from adjacent windows and balconies.

Figure 23: Type A Entrance Threshold, sketch plan and companion image Source: Authors Own Figure 24 Type B Entrance Threshold, sketch plan and companion image Source: Authors Own

Poor natural surveillance of these threshold has lead to the council having to implement secured by design provisions, replacing the door and fencing the walkways likely due increase crime or anti-social behaviour, the other entrance have not needed such modifications.

The terraces and bungalows have more traditional threshold but the inclusion of trestles and flowerboxes at there entrances helps to give privacy through depth , while also softening the building exterior. Clearly inspired by his analysis of Hampstead garden suburb where he praised a similar argument at "hampstead way" arguing "informal planting" was infinitely superior threshold treatment to "concreate paving and an enclosed front garden"45 .

Ignoring the entrance to Type B flats, The rest of the sites thresholds all include touches and spatial considerations inspired by a picturesque approach that helps to humanise the developments modernist planning.

Figure 26: Type D Entrance Threshold Source: Authors Own

Figure 27: Type E Entrance Threshold in 2020 and 1939 Source: Authors Own and Frederick Gibberd, Town Design, 4th edn (London: Architectural Press, 1962). Respectively