Studio Blackburn's new book celebrates southeast London's Modernist marvels

This meticulously researched book explores how Blackheath and Greenwich in London became a post-war haven for modernist architecture, green spaces and community living.

Blackheath and Greenwich, located in southeast London, emerged as pivotal grounds for modern architectural innovation in the decades following World War Two. This movement reflected a broader cultural shift toward social housing that embraced modernist principles, promoting functional and shared spaces that contrasted with the existing Victorian and Georgian styles previously associated with the area.

Now Studio Blackburn has launched a new book, published by Park Books, that delves into both the residential and community-focused buildings that flourished in this period.

Authored by esteemed Portuguese architect Ana Francisco Sutherland, Modern Buildings in Blackheath and Greenwich spans 416 pages featuring 64 buildings by 38 architects including Eric Lyons & SPAN, Peter Moro, Patrick Gwynne and Allies & Morrison. Her engaging narrative not only showcases architectural masterpieces but also examines the relationships that influenced their creation.

The book as a whole has been long in the making. "Sean Lock once asked, 'When does a leaflet become a pamphlet?'" says Paul Blackburn, CEO and founder of Studio Blackburn. With this project, what began as a leaflet somewhere along the line became a book, which grew to 416 pages."

Key challenges

Paul reveals that the key challenge initially was to establish a process for the book's development. "As a brand design agency, we don't do many books now, and it's been so long since I did one that I'd forgotten just how much process needs putting in place, particularly with regard to project management and deadlines."

Once that was sorted, there was the question of what the book should look like. "We tried to prioritise a contemporary and rigorous aesthetic rather than create a pastiche of the era," Paul explains. "The spirit of the design of the buildings was one of modernity and utopian ideals; the aim was to design a book that contemporary architects and graphic designers would like to own."

And it certainly couldn't be done in a hurry. "Books need constant and focused attention; there are so many moving parts and contributors to consider before you even get to the design aesthetic. We went off course a few times with this book, plus we were doing it pro-bono and trying to fit it in around fee-paying projects."

Design and content

In the end, they decided to hire designer Rita Pereira full-time for around six weeks. "We created the design vision and key page layouts and then briefed and art-directed Rita to a final design and artwork."

As for the content, author Ana Francisco Sutherland drove the project and had begun the research aspect some years previously. "When we got involved, there was still talk of it being a modest and low-budget guide to the area," he recalls.

"We took it on the understanding that we'd create a more substantial book and get it published by a world-renowned publishing house. I visited Park Books in Zurich, and over a bottle of wine, we quickly agreed to publish it through them."

From a design point of view, Paul has enjoyed giving the team at Studio Blackburn the permission to work on the concept and overall design of the book, without the pressure of client deadlines and requests. "It's also been great to see the photography study by Pierce Scourfield come to life, providing a unique and slightly eerie set of images for the book."

Audience and purpose

Paul feels there are several audiences the book will appeal to, including architects, graphic designers, historians and residents of Blackheath and Greenwich. "When combined with the walking tours and talks that Ana Francisco Sutherland organises in the area, the book will serve as a cornerstone of the understanding and appreciation of post-war modernist architecture in Blackheath and Greenwich," he says.

"It will also impact how people more widely view these modern houses as buildings that are part of the area's architectural heritage to be cared for. People who have lived in the houses for decades are only now beginning to realise and understand their architectural importance."

"Designing it has been a privilege," he adds. "It has allowed the whole studio to further our interests in architecture, typography, design and print. It has reminded me that our industry enables us to collaborate with a vast array of interesting and talented people and determine the projects we take on.

"It's also been a reminder of how difficult books are to design and produce," he adds. "But the story of Modern Architecture in Blackheath and Greenwich needed to be told. Ana Francisco Sutherland has brought it to life with a thoroughly well-researched and sensitively constructed narrative. We've tried, and hopefully succeeded, in producing a book that reflects the architectural subject matter whilst delivering a contemporary and rigorous book design."