JUNIPER CRESCENT & GILBEY’S YARD ARCHITECTURE AND HISTORY WORKSHOP BRIEFING DOCUMENT MAY 2020 CAMDEN GOODS YARD HISTORIC TIMELINE

Below is a summary of the key historical events that have influenced the evolution of Camden.

1804 1855 1890 1997 1852 Gilbey’s bonded Construction of Modest houses The Eastern 1973 The West India warehouse; and 1939-1945 1966 Gilbeys Yard, Juniper get built under the and Western crescent and safeways docks was opened the North Bomb Roundhouse The Camden Kentish Town act horse Line are dominant supermarket Damage opens market starts of 1788 1830 London and were built features Birmingham railway

1837 1960’S 1983 2006 1847 Road transport 1872 Breakfast television Roundhouse 1602 1820 1837 ousted rail. The Roundhouse, 1900 building new re-opens as a Camden didn’t Regents canal The windings and goods Gilbeys began Camden Town was a circular building life into the local concert venue distilling gin The Site cleared and no longer ideal for really exist completed shed containing a railway architecture access road built transport turntable was built

RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE what is the history of CAMDEN? RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE

Camden The black square is the approximate location of Camden in relation to the 1746 map.

John Rocque’s Map of London. 1746 Before the industrial revolution, Camden used to be occupied by green fields, mainly used for agricultural purposes.

The black square is the approximate location of Camden in relation to the 1746 map. CAMDEN was rural RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE

REGENT’S CANAL COMPLETED 1820

• The introduction of Regent’s Canal in the early 19th century enabled • The Diagonal Bridge above is a unique feature of the Regent’s Camden to become an important transport hub Canal. It’s special orientation and shape was introduced to help horses turn around canal barges. • The railway extension and various infrastructure features were introduced to help the transportation, exchange and storage of • The need for horses within the canal network lead to the goods. construction of the stables. RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE

INTRODUCTION OF THE RAILWAYS 1830’S

The construction of the London to Birmingham train line helped further Camden’s development as a centre for the transportation of goods. The railways required unique architectural elements, including the Primrose Hill tunnel. RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE

THE WINDING VAULTS AND GOOD SHED 1837

• The Winding Vaults were introduced in 1837. These were required to • Camden’s good shed acted as a hub for the buying, selling and facilitate the steam power trains to reach Euston Station which was exchange of goods. located at the bottom of a steep incline. As the steam engines were not strong enough, the Winding Engine Vaults facilitated this through • The shed also acted as a holding place for products to be taken an innovative pulley system. from the canal network to the railway. • The Winding Vaults were only used for seven years, however they • These activities have created the industrial architecture that we see have become an important part of Camden’s Industrial heritage today in Camden RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE

THE USE OF HORSES • The stables and horse hospital were a crucial part of Camden’s transport network.

• Horses facilitated the movement of goods from the canals to railways and local manufacturing businesses.

• At the peak of their activity, the stables would have housed between 700-800 horses RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE

MANUFACTURING 1870’S - ONWARDS

• Two of the main manufacturing industries in Camden were gin and • A number of the Gilbey’s warehouses still remain along the canal. pianos. These can be related to Camden’s later status as a music and entertainment hub • There were a number of piano manufacturers within Camden exporting pianos all over the world. • Gilbey’s became on of the largest industries in Camden, initially importing wine from abroad (due to the transport networks), then turning to gin manufacturing. RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE

INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS - PIANO FACTORIES

Chappel Factory Collard & Collard piano factory

The building above was a piano factory creating bespoke pianos for The circular building above was part of the Collard & Collard’s piano a number of famous people, including Beethoven. During the war, the factories who had a number of facilities next to Oval Road. Each building was used as a munitions factory. space within the factory had its own purpose in the manufacturing process, including case-making, fall-making, the ‘ware room’, ‘bellying’ ‘finishing’, and others. RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE

INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

Many other industrial buildings can be seen throughout Camden, including the Grade II* listed Roundhouse, the Interchange and the horses stables. Their most important architectural features are: • Rigorous alignment of windows and doors • Special brickwork patterns, especially at the top of the building • Use of different brick colours • Features within the roof line e.g chimneys • Large floor areas CAMDEN is industrial RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE

UNIQUE

Camden is famous for its vibrant streets, colourful buildings and markets. What areas of Camden do you believe are unique? RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE

MUSIC

A number of bands and musicians come from Camden, including Madness - one of the most prominent bands of the late 1970s early 80’s.

The electric ballroom has also been holding music events for over 80 years and is iconic to the area. RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE

ART

Camden is home to a number of artists.

Art has been essential to the growth of Camden and can be always seen within the streets, buildings and public open space.

Camden is a place where people can express themselves.

CAMDEN 50 PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION WINNER BY ANN CLEMENTS RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE

THE ROUNDHOUSE

One building, three uses. The Roundhouse has been one of the most resilient buildings in Camden. Initially designed as a railway infrastructure building, it was later used for gin storage and has recently become a very successful music and cultural venue.

RAILWAY GIN STORAGE CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE WAREHOUSE VENUE RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE

CAMDEN’S UNIQUE BUILDINGS

Regent’s Canal, rear gardens

Grand Union Walk, Regent’s Canal Gloucester Crescent, Italianate architecture CAMDEN is creative RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE ?

FUTURE CONTEXT MORRISONS DEVELOPMENT THE BACKBONE BUILDINGS

Block B Block D Block F

Material Pallete

Block B West Elevation by Allies and Morrison Block D East Elevation by Allies and Morrison Block F South Elevation by Allies and Morrison RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE ?

FUTURE CONTEXT MORRISONS DEVELOPMENT THE FEATURE BUILDINGS

Material Pallete

Block A Elevation by Allies and Morrison Block C Elevation by Allies and Morrison Block E1 Elevation by Allies and Morrison RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE ?

FUTURE CONTEXT MORRISONS DEVELOPMENT VILLA/TERRACE TYPOLOGIES

Block A Local Influences

Material Pallet Elevation by Allies and Morrison

Gloucester Crescent

Italianate Villas Block E1 Elevation by Allies and Morrison RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE ?

FUTURE CONTEXT MORRISONS DEVELOPMENT TREATMENT OF LEVEL DIFFERENCES

Gilbey’s Yard Juniper Crescent

North Elevation study by Allies and Morrison

East Elevation by Allies and Morrison What is YOUR Camden? RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE ? JUNIPER CRESCENT

Tell us what you like about your neighbourhood. RURAL INDUSTRIAL CREATIVE ?

GILBEY’S YARD Tell us what you like about your neighbourhood Supportive information Significant Buildings SIGNIFICANT BUILDINGS THE ROUNDHOUSE

Formerly known as the Warehouse of W & A Gilbey, the Roudhouse is a Grade II* listed industrial building that represents an important landmark and cultural centre for the area. The building was converted into a performing art and concert venue Yellow stock brick in 1964.

The building was designed by Robert B Dockray, and built by Branson & Gwyther in 1846 as an engine shed, which was then turned into a warehouse for Gilbey’s gin in the 1860s for 90 years. Red brick The building has a circular plan of 48m in diameter, constructed in yellow stock brick and is distinctive for its unusual circular shape and pointed roof. Slate roof

Glass

Horizontal banding with strong roof line with pointed roof Vertical articulation through extruded columns at regular Upper storey openings/ recesses increase in size creating spacing appearance of weight around the base SIGNIFICANT BUILDINGS

Decorative cornice PIANO FACTORY entablature

The Grade II listed Piano Factory built in 1852 by Thomas and William Piper, also stands as a significant example of industrial architecture. The building has been renamed The Rotunda and converted into office space occupied Yellow stock brick by an architecture studio and the SSR music production school.

The building stands out with its distinct circular plan, bold design, scale and prominent position on the corner of Gloucester Crescent and Oval Road. Cast iron windows The building is detailed by simple brickwork, arched cast iron windows separated by raised brick pilasters that run the across the full height of the building, and decorative cornice entablature projecting beyond the splayed stucco cornice. Brickwork detailing

Horizontal banding with strong roof line Vertical articulation emphasised by raised and extruded Circular plan with arched cast iron windows create a very pilasters at regular spacing distinct design SIGNIFICANT BUILDINGS

glazed roof Brickwork THE INTERCHANGE BUILDING detailing

The Interchange Warehouse built in 1896 is a Grade II listed building. It stands as an important example of a large-scale, late-Victorian warehouse with its distinctive water tower, bold detailing and fire-proof construction. The building is of a strong industrial character built of multi-coloured red brick stock brick with blue engineering brick dressings, cast iron windows with small panes and a modular pattern of repeating window bays and a beautifully articulated roofscape with chimneys.

The building was designed to bring together canal, rail, blue engineering and road transport and is fortress like and robustly built. brick Typical of the Victorian era the building was refurbished in 1989 retaining its robust industrial character and converted into an office space that is currently occupied by a media company.

Cast iron windows

Horizontal banding and emphasis of base through Windows are evenly spaced and aligned vertically, Arched windows are grouped to emphasise verticality increased proportion. Recessed elements break the mass decreasing in height at the upper levels - showing the of the facade vertical alignment of the building SIGNIFICANT BUILDINGS

Brickwork THE HENSON BUILDING detailing

The Henson building is located on Gilbey’s Yard, directly facing Regent’s Canal. The warehouse was converted into loft apartments retaining the original canal-side facade and modified to include an additional intermediate floor and two rooftop Yellow stock brick penthouse levels.

The building retains a strong industrial character, with its stock brick facade, brickwork detailing and regularly-spaced openings. The new building that lies within the retained facade comes out on side and rear of the building, distinguished by its red brick and floor two ceiling windows. Red brick

floor-to-ceiling windows

Horizontal banding with continuous parapet line and flat Vertical articulation expressed by window openings at Brickword detailing framing windows and creating vertical roof regular intervals with strong vertical symmetry articulation on the brick facade in between. New balconies align horizontally with historic facade CONCLUSIONS MATERIALS

Building Materials:

A variety of different materials are found in the area surrounding Camden Goods Yard, ranging from classical uses of yellow stock brick, stucco dressings and cast iron railings and balconies found in numerous terraced housing developments a; as well as more modern uses of aluminium panels, concrete and glass in industrial and modern buildings. Overall the area is characterised by the use of various brick types and decorative stucco detailing this found both in traditional terraces, Italianate villas as well as in industrial architecture and more modern buildings that reflect this in new ways.

Leicester brick Fletton brick Buff Ruabon Concrete Yellow stock brick Red brick terracotta

Blue engineering brick Glass Aluminium panels Timber Stucco Cast iron