Lewisham Architect

Lewisham, located in southeast London, is a borough that combines a rich history with modern urban development. The architectural styles of homes in Lewisham vary widely, reflecting the area’s historical growth, from rural settlements to a bustling urban center. Like many parts of London, Lewisham’s housing stock includes a mix of Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, interwar, post-war, and contemporary styles. The area has undergone significant regeneration in recent years, which has influenced the types of buildings and their designs. Here’s an overview of the architectural styles and types of homes you can find in Lewisham:

1. Victorian Architecture (1837–1901)

• Characteristics:
  • Victorian terraced houses and semi-detached homes are common, especially in the areas developed in the late 19th century.
  • These homes are typically brick-built, often with red or yellow brick facades, large sash windows, and decorative features such as stucco cornices and ornate fireplaces.
  • Bay windows, original woodwork, and high ceilings are common in interiors.
  • Many Victorian homes in Lewisham are situated in desirable residential streets, with small front gardens or courtyards.
• Where found: Victorian terraces are widespread in the central and southern parts of Lewisham, particularly in areas such as Hither Green, Ladywell, and Catford.

2. Edwardian Architecture (1901–1910)

• Characteristics:
  • Edwardian homes tend to be larger and more spacious compared to Victorian homes, with a more relaxed and lighter feel.
  • Features include large bay windows, wide fronts, and decorative brickwork, often combined with timber framing or tiling.
  • Interiors of Edwardian homes tend to have larger rooms, higher ceilings, and often include features like picture rails and original fireplaces.
• Where found: You can find Edwardian homes in areas such as Forest Hill, Honor Oak Park, and parts of Catford and Hither Green.

3. Interwar Homes (1918–1939)

• Characteristics:
  • Interwar homes in Lewisham include a variety of designs, from traditional semi-detached houses to larger detached homes, influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, Tudor Revival, and early Modernism.
  • Common features include steep pitched roofs, mock-Tudor half-timbering, decorative brickwork, and sometimes pebble-dash exteriors.
  • Many interwar homes also have wider plots and larger gardens compared to earlier Victorian properties, reflecting the suburban expansion of the time.
  • The period also saw the development of larger council estates with a mix of semi-detached and terraced houses.
• Where found: These homes are common in areas like Brockley, Forest Hill, and parts of Catford.

4. Post-War and 1960s–1970s Housing

• Characteristics:
  • After World War II, Lewisham saw large-scale development of social housing, often in the form of terraced or semi-detached houses and low-rise flats.
  • Post-war homes typically have simpler, more utilitarian designs, with small front gardens and backyards, flat roofs, and basic brick facades.
  • Many of these properties were built with practicality in mind, and as a result, some may feel less ornate than earlier styles.
  • The 1960s and 1970s also saw the construction of tower blocks and larger high-rise buildings as part of urban renewal programs.
• Where found: Post-war housing is spread throughout Lewisham, particularly in areas like Catford, Downham, and Deptford. High-rise council estates can be found in parts of Lewisham and New Cross.

5. Modern and Contemporary Architecture (1990s–Present)

• Characteristics:
  • Modern homes in Lewisham are often designed with an emphasis on energy efficiency, open-plan living, and contemporary materials such as glass, steel, and concrete.
  • New build developments in the borough often feature sleek, minimalist designs, with large windows, flat or pitched roofs, and eco-friendly features.
  • Contemporary housing developments are often found in the form of apartment complexes, especially near transport hubs, and urban regeneration areas.
• Where found: New developments are particularly concentrated around Lewisham’s transport corridors, such as the areas around Lewisham and New Cross stations, as well as in areas that have undergone gentrification, like parts of Deptford and Ladywell.

6. Art Deco and 1930s Architecture

• Characteristics:
  • Although less common than in other parts of London, there are some Art Deco-influenced buildings in Lewisham, often in the form of apartments or small blocks of flats.
  • These buildings feature geometric designs, streamlined facades, and decorative details such as fluted columns, curved corners, and bold, angular shapes.
• Where found: Art Deco buildings can be found in some of the more urbanized parts of Lewisham, particularly near Deptford or along main roads.

7. Mews Houses and Courtyard Homes

• Characteristics:
  • Mews houses, often tucked away on quiet, cobbled streets, are found in a few pockets in Lewisham. These homes are typically small, two-story properties with compact, charming interiors.
  • They are usually built behind larger properties or along former service lanes, offering a more private and secluded living experience.
  • Some of these properties have been converted from former stables or workshops and retain a lot of original character.
• Where found: Mews homes can be found in parts of Brockley, Forest Hill, and Honor Oak Park, though they are much less common than in areas like Notting Hill.

8. Council Estates and Social Housing

• Characteristics:
  • Lewisham has a significant stock of social housing, built primarily in the mid-20th century. These homes are typically in the form of terraced houses, low-rise flats, and tower blocks.
  • Many of the tower blocks and housing estates in Lewisham were built in the 1960s and 1970s, often using concrete, with a focus on mass housing for the growing urban population.
  • Over time, many of these areas have been renovated or regenerated, although some areas still maintain the distinct architectural style of post-war social housing.
• Where found: Major council estates can be found in areas such as Lewisham Central, Catford, and parts of Deptford and Brockley.

9. Townhouses and Larger Residences

• Characteristics:
  • In more affluent parts of Lewisham, particularly in areas like Blackheath, you’ll find larger Victorian and Edwardian townhouses, which may have been converted into multiple flats or remain as single-family homes.
  • These properties are often multi-story, with expansive gardens, and retain many original period features such as high ceilings, decorative woodwork, and ornate fireplaces.
  • Many of these larger homes are now highly desirable due to their location near Blackheath Common or the affluent areas of Lee and Hither Green.
• Where found: Larger homes and townhouses are most often found in Blackheath, Hither Green, and parts of Brockley and Forest Hill.

10. Flats and Apartments

• Characteristics:
  • Lewisham has seen significant development of new flats and apartment complexes in recent years, especially in response to the growing population and the need for more housing near transport hubs.
  • These apartments are typically modern, often featuring open-plan layouts, contemporary finishes, and balconies or terraces.
  • Some new developments also emphasize sustainability, with green roofs, energy-efficient designs, and shared communal spaces.
• Where found: Flats are common in more central areas, especially around Lewisham, Deptford, and New Cross, where regeneration has taken place. Larger apartment blocks are also found near transport links and local amenities.

Summary of Housing Types in Lewisham:

• Victorian Terraces: Common throughout much of the borough, especially in areas like Hither Green and Catford.
• Edwardian & Interwar Homes: Larger semi-detached and terraced houses, often with period details, found in areas like Brockley and Forest Hill.
• Post-War Housing: Predominantly found in social housing estates and low-rise homes, especially in Catford, Deptford, and Downham.
• Contemporary Homes and Apartments: New-build developments and flats, especially near transport hubs and areas undergoing regeneration (e.g., Lewisham town center, New Cross, and Deptford).
• Council Estates: Large, utilitarian housing blocks from the mid-20th century, often located in the more urbanized areas.

Architectural Influence:

Lewisham’s architecture is a blend of old and new, with Victorian and Edwardian houses sitting alongside modern apartment blocks and post-war housing estates. The area’s architectural diversity reflects the history of the borough, from its rural roots to its modern, urbanized present. The increasing number of new developments and regeneration projects has also led to more contemporary buildings, but the borough maintains a significant stock of period properties, especially in residential areas like Hither Green, Forest Hill, and Blackheath.