At Home in London: The Mansion Block

A well organised, clearly and accessibly written book. A useful, beautifully illustrated studio companion with drawings to scale and top quality photography. An excellent resource for professionals and for students or architecture and the design of cities.

Karin Templin has produced a remarkable book on a timely subject. She has researched the history of a building type in London that has long been overlooked, the Mansion Block, one that has recently been resurrected as an important way to build high density multi-family housing which can contribute to the city's streetscape and London's urban fabric. Looking at three distinct historic periods, the late 19th Century, the 1930's, and from 2010 to the present, she examines 27 case studies that illustrate the evolution of this building typology. The photographs, accurate building plans, figure ground drawings and street sections thoughfully showcase her choices. The text is succinct and filled with interesting nuggets. The book is a beautiful design in itself.

Karin Templin has produced a remarkable book on one of London's neglected residential building types. With excellent photographs and clearly drawn plans she has compiled multiple case studies of mansion block dwellings from three distinct eras. 1852-1903 covers the Victorian/ Edwardian period with examples such as Norman Shaw's Albert Hall Mansions, the Prince of Wales Mansions overlooking Battersea Park, and Clarendon Court in Maida Vale. The second period covers 1930-37 with examples such as Gordon Jeeves' Dolphin Square in Pimlico, Latymer Court in Fulham, and Sloane Avenue Mansions in Chelsea. The third period covers the current 2010-22 period with examples such as Allies and Morrison's Keybridge in Vauxhall, Peter Barber's quirky 95 Peckham Road and Amin Taha's idiosyncratic 15 Clerkenwell Close. The book is full of nuggets of information about the social patterns of each era such as the direct telephone connection between certain 1930 era apartments and Selfridges Department store.The book is a valuable resource for architects, urban designers and planners and anyone interested in urban living.