Darbourne & Darke
Encyclopedia
Darbourne & Darke was a firm of architects and landscape planners.
Though their work includes a football stand (for Chelsea Football Club, London, 1972–4), laboratories and offices, and the landscaping (1976–7) of much of Heathrow Airport, London
, the firm's most notable output was in the realm of public housing.
The firm was founded to design the Lillington Gardens
estate in the Pimlico
area of Westminster
, London. Having won the competition, John Darbourne returned to Britain, and with Geoffrey Darke opened a practice from an office in the nearby Churchill Gardens
estate.
Lillington Gardens, constructed in phases between 1961 and 1972, was a resounding success, breaking with the then current use of standard units in high-rise blocks. Instead, it emphasised individuality in the grouping of dwellings, provided for private gardens at ground and roof levels, and achieved high densities with blocks of only eight stories.
The firm's later (1966–67) project at Marquess Road, Islington
, London
, developed an equally difficult urban site on similar stylistic lines, with family maisonettes with gardens at ground level and smaller flats above, fronted by wide 'roof streets' with space for planting.
Simons House, a retirement home
on Histon Road
in th enorth of Cambridge
, was design by the firm and built in 1977.
The work of Darbourne & Darke was the subject of an exhibition at the Royal Institute of British Architects
Heinz Gallery in the summer of 1977.
Darbourne and Darke went on to undertake work in both the UK and abroad - notably several schemes in Germany and Italy, through competition wins (Hanover, Stuttgart and Gifhorn, in Germany, and Bolzano in Italy). Although their main work was in public housing they undertook many public & commercial buildings, winning a number of Civic Trust and RIBA awards, culminating in the prestigious Fritz Schumacher international award for "Services to Architecture" (1972) an award usually given to statesmen, scientists, writers, artists and musicians.
Though their work includes a football stand (for Chelsea Football Club, London, 1972–4), laboratories and offices, and the landscaping (1976–7) of much of Heathrow Airport, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, the firm's most notable output was in the realm of public housing.
The firm was founded to design the Lillington Gardens
Lillington Gardens
Lillington Gardens is an estate in the Pimlico area of Westminster, London, constructed between 1961 and 1971 to a plan by Darbourne & Darke....
estate in the Pimlico
Pimlico
Pimlico is a small area of central London in the City of Westminster. Like Belgravia, to which it was built as a southern extension, Pimlico is known for its grand garden squares and impressive Regency architecture....
area of Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
, London. Having won the competition, John Darbourne returned to Britain, and with Geoffrey Darke opened a practice from an office in the nearby Churchill Gardens
Churchill Gardens
Churchill Gardens is a large housing estate in the Pimlico area of Westminster, London. The estate was developed between 1946 and 1962 to a design by the architects Powell and Moya, replacing Victorian terraced houses extensively damaged during the Blitz....
estate.
Lillington Gardens, constructed in phases between 1961 and 1972, was a resounding success, breaking with the then current use of standard units in high-rise blocks. Instead, it emphasised individuality in the grouping of dwellings, provided for private gardens at ground and roof levels, and achieved high densities with blocks of only eight stories.
The firm's later (1966–67) project at Marquess Road, Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, developed an equally difficult urban site on similar stylistic lines, with family maisonettes with gardens at ground level and smaller flats above, fronted by wide 'roof streets' with space for planting.
Simons House, a retirement home
Retirement home
A retirement home is a multi-residence housing facility intended for senior citizens. Typically each person or couple in the home has an apartment-style room or suite of rooms. Additional facilities are provided within the building, including facilities for meals, gathering, recreation, and some...
on Histon Road
Histon Road
Histon Road is an arterial road linking central Cambridge, England with the A14 road north of the city. The road is designated the B1049. At the southern end, the road links with Huntingdon Road , Victoria Road , Mount Pleasant, and Castle Street...
in th enorth of Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
, was design by the firm and built in 1977.
The work of Darbourne & Darke was the subject of an exhibition at the Royal Institute of British Architects
Royal Institute of British Architects
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally.-History:...
Heinz Gallery in the summer of 1977.
Darbourne and Darke went on to undertake work in both the UK and abroad - notably several schemes in Germany and Italy, through competition wins (Hanover, Stuttgart and Gifhorn, in Germany, and Bolzano in Italy). Although their main work was in public housing they undertook many public & commercial buildings, winning a number of Civic Trust and RIBA awards, culminating in the prestigious Fritz Schumacher international award for "Services to Architecture" (1972) an award usually given to statesmen, scientists, writers, artists and musicians.