Two weeks ago I did a flying visit to the New Donnybrook Quarter near Bow in East London. It is a new housing project by Peter Barber architects based around an intimate pedestrian street typology that removes the emphasis away from the car. As such I think it provides a refreshing alternative to the mock-tudor boxes and gated-development prison flats that seem to dominate the UK housing scene.

Here are a few pics. I apologise for the quality. The housing isn't open yet and we were rushed round the site by the kind security guard who let us in because it is still fenced off.

The quality of light reflects a typical bleak grey London February day. :(

here's the .kmz

The intimate pedestrian street frontage.

South facing glass fronted house.

Each house has it's own small outdoor garden or roof-terrace garden.

As yet a bit uninspiring but a blank canvas for city-dwellers to personalise.

All properties have their own entrance. No shared access stairways to get vandalised or urinated on.

I think this intended as a community centre building on the corner of Parnell Rd and Old Ford Road

So it looks like modernism is alive and well in the UK. :) Apparently the residents like it because it reminds them of holiday homes in spain. - But the architect doesn't seem too bothered by this.

Funnily enough four days after I visited there was an article in the Guardian about it.. :eek:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,,1703137,00.html

the Architects site. - with much better pics than mine.

http://www.peterbarberarchitects.com/my_CurrentProjects_Donny2.htm

Oh yeah I forgot. Nearest Tube stop + Bow Road on the district (green) line. ...zoom out on google earth. - It's about a ten minute walk...

I like the overall project..but those green doors kill the design... seems like inmates cells doors!!!

On the walk between Bow Road tube stop and Donnybrook is a quite nice bit of urban design. - A railway underpass with slick animated lighting and graphics. Normally what you would expect to be an intimidating space feels safe and has no grafitti or vandalism which makes a change.

Hotrats,
Thanks for the breath of fresh air this morning. :)

Why is so astonishing to design something that is good for our spirit and good for our body? Seems we are sometimes our own worst enemy.

Was wondering what the site plan looked like but couldnt find a drawing on the architects site. But here is an aerial shot. Very interesting forms


PS, Here, in the states, we have an expression: "a donnybrook", which means a big fist fight or similar!! Must be some connection??

Thanks Hotrats .. Very nice tight development .. though I agree with Pedro about the door colour .. mid mediterranean blue would have set them off better IMO but choice of colour would also be nice as well.

This aerial view.... amazing... very good :cheers:

Thanks Hotrats for the tip
I just went to the site its very different compared to all the other housing projects going up there. Yes it does feel very mediteranean, but without the sun ;)
I wish there was more of these lil gems around.

Thanks for sharing hotrats - Well done. I love colors, and personally don't mind the green doors.

Thanks for posting this. It is a great project and so un-english in its style and ambition. I just wish somebody had decided to be as innovative with the landscape design. Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose. :bang head