Estate benefits: in support of the communal, the concrete and the creative
A new book on post-war housing is unapologetically supportive of the communal, the concrete, and the creative
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Stef Orazi, a graphic designer with a clutch of high-profile cultural clients, has long been fascinated by architect-designed estates. So she set up the blog Modernist Estates (opens in new tab), focusing on property for sale and in-depth interviews.
Publisher Frances Lincoln (opens in new tab) approached her with a book proposal, and now her imagery and interviews have made a neat transition from screen to page. The flats on display (such as London’s Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate) are shaped by modernism’s relentless rise in popularity and the keen eyes of the inhabitants – typically design-industry types with well-curated living spaces.
‘The book is about a unique time in recent British history when architects, planners and the government had ambition and vision,’ says Orazi, who is pictured at her own London home, part of an estate by Benson + Forsyth.
As originally featured in the October 2015 edition of Wallpaper* (W*199)
Stef Orazi, pictured at her own London home, part of an estate by Benson + Forsyth.
… alongside in-depth interviews with their high-profile architects and planners. Pictured: architect Neave Brown.
The book was borne out of the graphic designer's fascination with architect-designed estates.
INFORMATION
Modernist Estates, by Stef Orazi, published by Frances Lincoln, £25
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
-
Women’s Fashion Week A/W 2023: what to expect
Look forward to Women’s Fashion Week A/W 2023 with our guide to this season’s shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris
By Jack Moss • Published
-
Meet Tyler Hobbs, the breakout star of generative art
Tyler Hobbs is making waves with abstract, algorithm-assisted art that harnesses code as a creative medium. We speak to the American artist ahead of two physical exhibitions in New York and London
By Nick Compton • Published
-
Triennale pays tribute to Angelo Mangiarotti with extensive retrospective
‘Angelo Mangiarotti: When Structures Take Shape’ (until 23 April 2023) is an extensive retrospective of the Milanese architect's work, with contributions from Renzo Piano and UniFor
By Maria Cristina Didero • Published
-
Architecture books to inspire shelf love
Here at Wallpaper*, we’ve got architecture books piling up; among them, these are the photographic tomes, architects’ monographs and limited editions that we couldn’t resist
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Pioneering modernist Henry Kulka's life and career tracked in limited-edition monograph
Czech-New Zealand architect Henry Kulka, a man who spread modernist ideals half way around the world, is celebrated in Giles Reid and Mary Gaudin’s richly illustrated monograph
By Jonathan Bell • Published
-
Nordic architecture explored in Share, a book about contemporary building
Discussions about Nordic architecture and contemporary practice meet in a new book by Artifice, Share: Conversations about Contemporary Architecture – The Nordic Countries
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
London Feeds Itself: we are hungry for Open City's book on food and architecture
London Feeds Itself, a new book by Open City, is a scrumptious offering that connects food culture and architecture
By Nick Compton • Last updated
-
The Sustainable City chronicles London’s eco design innovation
Urban areas provide the best environment for ultra-low-impact living; that's the premise of Harriet Thorpe’s new book, The Sustainable City, which brings together the architecture that's shaping London’s quiet green revolution
By Jonathan Bell • Last updated
-
Montalba Architects' monograph ponders on space, place and building
Montalba Architects launches extensive monograph, ‘Place and Space’
By Pei-Ru Keh • Last updated
-
House London is an insider’s guide to the city’s best architectural transformations
House London is a new book offering a peek into some of the best redesigns of the capital’s omnipresent, historical brick home typology
By Jonathan Bell • Last updated
-
Three books chart the rise, impact, and scope of virtual worlds
Love them or hate them, virtual worlds are here to stay; and three new books explore their charms and challenges
By Jonathan Bell • Last updated