Design Heroes: Ernö Goldfinger
Ernö Goldfinger, the creator of one of London’s most iconic buildings – The Trellick Tower. A very self-confident, controversial and prolific urban modernist. And yes, the James Bond villain was called after him, this was Ian Felming’s payback for building a modernist terraced house in Hampstead. Ernö didn’t have it easy. But he did a lot for London and I really appreciate his buildings.
He was a follower of structural rationalism, creator of simple and functional spaces that worked.
Balfron Tower
Inside Balfron Tower
He designed few tower blocks like the Balfron Tower in Poplar where he actually lived and worked on improvements for his next structure. Tenants were invited for champagne and a chat about the building with Ernö and his wife, Ursula. Whatever he learned from his experience at Balfron he implemented in his next building – the Trellick Tower in North Kensington.
Trellick Tower
Ernö with kids at Trellick Tower
Trellick Tower was one of the most sophisticated tower blocks in the 60s London, it had its own nursery, doctors’ surgery, shops and Goldfinger himself had his practice there for some time. There is a great story by JG Ballard called High-Rise which is inspired by the building.
The Elephant & Castle development was another hated creation – soulless, scary and dangerous.
Elephant and Castle development
I find those buildings very interesting, light and elegant but I can understand how people hated them back then.
Ernö built his family house in Hampstead at Willow Road, now in hands of National Trust.
1-3 Willow Road
The moment I saw it I fell in love, it would be my dream to live there. He designed most of the furniture himself too as well as children toys. I have written about my visit here.
2 Willow Road
2 Willow Road
2 Willow Road
2 Willow Road
2 Willow Road
The house is very warm and almost feels familiar, there are even shelves of condiments in the kitchen (Ursula was the heiress of the Crosse and Blackwell fortune). As the Goldfingers had many friends in the art crowd there are few amazing works of art in the house.
Goldfinger was a very important post war architect, not afraid of criticism and facing tough challenges.
Ernö’s other buildings include Daily Workers HQ in Farringdon, Carr & Co offices in Birmingham, a number of shops, office buildings and schools.
Looking at post war buildings around London you can very often spot Ernö’s influence: large windows, low spaces, clean lines and easy access.
Tags: 2 Willow Road, Balfron Tower, Elephant and Castle Development, Ernö Goldfinger, Trellick Tower
March 3rd, 2010 at 11:36 am
I enjoyed this post a lot! I visited 2 Willow Road in the summer and found it fascinating. Goldfinger sounded such an interesting character.
March 3rd, 2010 at 11:52 am
oh wow…shall check into his work more! thanks!
March 3rd, 2010 at 1:45 pm
skirmishofwit and if jane: he was very fascinating, there is a good biography by nigel warburton called Erno Goldfinger – the life of an architect. Such an interesting person.
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:21 pm
I finally got round to posting your cup and saucer today!! Sorry about the long wait!
March 4th, 2010 at 2:27 am
thank you Lisa, really looking forward to it ;)
March 15th, 2010 at 7:21 am
Oh. I’m skipping off to read about 2 Willow Road now. That looks like my dream home, too. We can share? ;p
March 16th, 2010 at 11:44 am
yes we can Caroline! or we could take over the flats next door ;)
March 19th, 2010 at 4:51 am
There are buildings like this in Sydney (post war), they were mostly built to be functional as opposed to being aesthetically pleasing. But although I think the designers had the right idea eg. le corbusier. A lot of those sorts of buildings were reserved in France as public housing and similarly in places like Chicago. Just not very cheery places on the outside. What are the red things from the Trellick building, they kind of jazz up the building?
March 20th, 2010 at 1:49 am
yu: I think they are features on the balcony railings. I find those building very exciting and stylish.