Alton Estate, Public housing complex in Roehampton, London, United Kingdom
Alton Estate is a large residential complex in Roehampton in southwest London, stretching across expansive grounds between Roehampton Lane and Richmond Park Golf Courses. It contains different building blocks with varying architectural styles, ranging from Scandinavian-influenced structures to modern slab-style blocks.
The site was developed in the 1950s by London County Council to address housing shortage after World War II. Its two main sections show different design philosophies from postwar architecture.
The estate was designed as housing for working families and still shows how people from different backgrounds share the same spaces. The layout reflects an idea that well-designed homes should be available to everyone.
The estate can be reached by several bus routes including 85, 170, 430, 265, and 419, which connect to Putney and Barnes railway stations. Walking is the best way to explore the grounds, as the different areas are connected on foot.
Some of the slab blocks at Highcliffe Drive are listed monuments and show how modern building methods respected existing landscape forms. They were planned to preserve the existing Georgian landscape while creating space for new residents.
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