It's tempting to dismiss Essex as a hotbed of perma-tans, deep-V tees and boy racers. But the English county has more than most to offer to architecture aficionados.
Essex is peppered with pioneering and experimental architecture from the early and mid-20th century. These modernist architecture gems are now being championed during Essex Architecture Weekend, part of the Radical Essex initiative, which seeks to reevaluate the region in relation to its rich cultural history (rather than the pervading image of TOWIE). Delights include Silver End, the village built by window industrialist Francis Henry Crittall to house his workers. Its village hall is the hub for the two-day event, and houses an exhibition.
Other sites of note include the Bata Estate in East Tilbury, founded in 1932 by eponymous shoe company pioneer Czech Tomáš Baťa; and the coastal resort of Frinton-on-Sea. Shuttle buses will carry visitors between these sites.
Spearheading Radical Essex is Joe Hill, director of the Southend-on-Sea gallery Focal Point. Two elements conspired to make the county so architecturally significant, he says: plenty of open land to build on thanks to the dearth of large historic estates; and its proximity to poverty-stricken east London. 'The permeable relationship with the capital promoted innovation and experimentation with diverse political ideologies and social makeups,' Hill explains. 'These pioneers came to regard the region as a testing-ground for radical thought, alternative lifestyles and new architecture.'
As well as the three estates, there are individual buildings worth perusing: Joseph Emberton’s Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Burnham-on-Crouch was Britain’s sole entry in MoMA’s 'Modern Architecture: International Exhibition' in 1932. And a number of home-owners are giving tours, including those of 52 and 62 Clatterfield Gardens in Westcliff-on-Sea, by Swiss architect Douglas Niel Martin-Kaye, who was also responsible for the town’s tennis pavilion.
An enlightening trip through an unfairly maligned part of the country, Essex Architecture Weekend is a worthy survey of an underrated architectural hotspot.
The tour was devised as part of the Radical Essex initiative, which seeks to reevaluate the region in relation to its rich cultural history. Pictured: Bata Factory, East Tilbury, 2016
Two elements conspired to make the county so architecturally significant, explains Focal Point gallery's Joe Hill: plenty of open land to build on thanks to the dearth of large historic estates... Pictured: Bishopsfield Estate, Harlow, 2016
... and its proximity to poverty-stricken east London. Pictured: The Round House, Frinton-on-Sea, 2015
Delights include Silver End, the village built by window industrialist Francis Henry Crittall to house his workers. Pictured: Wolverton, Boars Tye Road, Silver End, 2016
'The permeable relationship with the capital promoted innovation and experimentation with diverse political ideologies and social makeups,' Hill explains. Pictured: Heath Drive, Romford, 2016
'These pioneers came to regard the region as a testing-ground for radical thought, alternative lifestyles and new architecture.' Pictured: Labworth Cafe, Canvey Island, 2016
Joseph Emberton’s Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Burnham-on-Crouch was Britain’s sole entry in MoMA’s 'Modern Architecture: International Exhibition' in 1932. Pictured: Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Burnham-On-Crouch, 2016
Essex Architecture Weekend is a worthy survey of an underrated architectural hotspot. Pictured: Shipwrights, Benfleet, 2016
INFORMATION
Essex Architecture Weekend: ‘The Modernist County’ is on view this weekend, 10–11 September. For more information visit the Radical Essex website
Photography: Catherine Hyland. Courtesy Focal Point Gallery
-
Achille Salvagni imbues Upper East Side townhouse with understated glamourDesigner Achille Salvagni’s latest project is a Manhattan townhouse whose understated design is led by function and inspired by 1920s and 1930s architecture
-
Discover July 2023 Wallpaper*: the Design Directory
See Wallpaper’s July 2023 Design Directory for the best new seating, tables, beds, lighting, outdoor furniture, rugs and more, on sale now
-
Ruinart’s Food For Art promises culinary delights in Basel
Hosted during Art Basel in Basel 2023, Ruinart’s latest Food For Art dinner draws on Eva Jospin’s Carte Blanche commission
-
A show on British cooling towers explores these sculptural giants
'British Cooling Towers - Sculptural Giants' is a new exhibition created by Twentieth Century Society (C20 Society) and Margaret Howell, presented during the London Festival of Architecture 2023
-
Sotheby's to buy the Breuer Building in New York
The Breuer Building in New York is to be acquired by famed auction house Sotheby's, it's been announced
-
A Trellick tower apartment’s contemporary makeover
A Trellick tower apartment gets a contemporary makeover by architecture studio Buchholzberlin and interior designer Peter Heimer
-
The Arbor House brings quiet minimalism to a suburban Aberdeen site
The Arbor House by Brown & Brown is a low-energy home in suburban Aberdeen that brings calm and minimalism to its sloped site
-
LFA 2023 kicks off, celebrating togetherness and common ground
The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) 2023 is launched today, putting the spotlight on its theme, 'In common'
-
New Practice’s architecture draws on kindness and collaboration
New Practice co-founders Becca Thomas and Marc Cairns talk us through their Glasgow- and London-based studio’s ethos, projects and plans for the future
-
‘Sun Breakers’ book sees Jürgen Beck’s photography celebrate Eileen Gray’s E-1027 house
‘Sun Breakers’, a new book celebrating the work of Eileen Gray, looks at the architect’s E-1027 house through the captivating, intimate photography of Jürgen Beck
-
Don’t Move, Improve 2023: discover house of the year and London’s best homes
The Don’t Move Improve 2023 winners have been revealed, chosen from a refined selection of 15 homes, as the judges announced the Home of the Year alongside seven more category gongs
