At Makower Architects, we always enjoy the research process at the outset of a project: diving into a site, its history and then, relishing the opportunity to celebrate it in the details. 

For our two blocks in Eastman Village in Harrow, (now almost complete) within Pollard Thomas Edward's masterplan, we took inspiration from the Kodak factory which had occupied the site since 1891. It was once the largest Kodak factory outside the United States and at its peak in the 1950s, employed around 6,000 workers. With such a large workforce, a real community was created: with a sports ground, social clubs and Kodak FC, the company’s football team. 

To pay homage to this important slice of local history, we took elements from the factory to inform our designs hoping to retain the community spirit of the place. 

Here are some key details we want to highlight:

(2/7) The lobbies have colourful glazed brickwork directly inspired by the machinery of the factory. 

(3/7) The eastern corner of Block J has a chamfered corner with a staggered brick profile mediating between the ground and the upper floors. This moment of surprise will welcome people into the development and draw them to the pocket garden behind.

(4/7) The base zone is clearly marked by a variation in colour and characterized by a serrated rustication - also apparent in the first floor balconies through a partial brick parapet, which increase the residents' privacy and the solid appearance of the base.

 

(5/7) The balconies are not the standard grey ones that you can find in any other developments; here the use of colours, including the soffits, has been adopted to create a playful and lovable appearance. They also include a bespoke pattern for the solid panel, to provide privacy and protection from the wind, while enriching the experience of the residents.

(6/7) The striped brickwork for the buildings facing the New Square, references the textures of some Kodak photos while the red mortar of the base which binds together the darker tone of the bricks. All in all creating a homely and inviting entrance to each home.

(7/7) And lastly, this sculptural stair when completed will create seating steps integrated with the play area of the pocket garden to provide a neighbourhood stoop.

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