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
-
A Swedish scooter blends Teenage Engineering’s aesthetic with accessible electric mobilityThe EPA1 Scooter is the first product from mobility start-up Vässla, an assured and flexible design shaped in conjunction with TE to assist everyday urban mobility
-
Discover Canadian modernist Daniel Evan White’s pitch-perfect homesCanadian architect Daniel Evan White (1933-2012) had a gift for using the landscape to create extraordinary homes; revisit his story in an article from the Wallpaper* archives (first published in 2011)
-
The standout shows of Milan Fashion Week Men’s S/S 2026: Dolce & Gabbana to Paul SmithWallpaper* picks the very best of Milan Fashion Week Men’s S/S 2026, from a Dolce & Gabbana pyjama party to Paul Smith’s travel-inspired Milan debut
-
Discover Canadian modernist Daniel Evan White’s pitch-perfect homes
Canadian architect Daniel Evan White (1933-2012) had a gift for using the landscape to create extraordinary homes; revisit his story in an article from the Wallpaper* archives (first published in 2011)
-
Wolves Lane Centre brings greenery, growing and grass roots togetherWolves Lane Centre, a new, green community hub in north London by Material Cultures and Studio Gil, brings to the fore natural materials and a spirit of togetherness
-
This ingenious London office expansion was built in an on-site workshopNew Wave London and Thomas-McBrien Architects make a splash with this glulam extension built in the very studio it sought to transform. Here's how they did it
-
Once vacant, London's grand department stores are getting a new lease on lifeThanks to imaginative redevelopment, these historic landmarks are being reborn as residences, offices, gyms and restaurants. Here's what's behind the trend
-
Lego and Serpentine celebrate World Play Day with a new pavilionLego and Serpentine have just unveiled their Play Pavilion; a colourful new structure in Kensington Gardens in London and a gesture that celebrates World Play Day (11 June)
-
Inside Abbey Road's refresh: touring the legendary studio's new interiorAbbey Road gets an interior refresh by Threefold Architects, bringing the legendary London recording studio in tune with the 21st century
-
The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 is ready to visit, ‘an exhibition you can use’The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 is ready for its public opening on 6 June; we toured the structure and spoke to its architect, Marina Tabassum
-
A meticulously crafted artist’s space in east London evokes the area’s long creative historyMaich Swift Architects’ artist’s space has radically reconfigured a Victorian terraced house, transforming it into a contemporary live/work interior
