{"id":848,"date":"2026-04-05T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/picsura.com\/?p=848"},"modified":"2026-04-05T10:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T10:00:00","slug":"bringing-london-homes-to-life-with-arts-and-crafts-details-from-metropolitan-workshop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/picsura.com\/?p=848","title":{"rendered":"Bringing London homes to life with arts and crafts details from Metropolitan Workshop"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n                <!-- Modern Template --><br \/>\n<iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 100px; border: none; display: none;\" data-project-id=\"ji901qTk5OPWLvvl6Wxf\" allowfullscreen=\"false\" allowtransparency=\"\" allow=\"clipboard-read; clipboard-write\" frameborder=\"0\" id=\"ad-auris-iframe\" scrolling=\"no\"><br \/>\n<\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Textured brickwork, arch motifs and large mansard roofs are reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts-style setting of Farmstead Road, an affordable housing development developed in London by local studio Metropolitan Workshop.<span id=\"more-2308184\"\/><\/p>\n<p><!-- dezeen_mpu_4 For mobile ad units only --><br \/>\n<!-- \/1224966\/dezeen_mpu_4 --><\/p>\n<p>Located on Lewisham&#8217;s 1920s Bellingham Estate reclaimed land, the 24-unit development was designed for Phoenix Community Housing, a not-for-profit, resident-led association.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"preload-0\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2311988\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" data-lightboximage=\"https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/phoenix-community-housing-metropolitan-workshop-architecture-residential-london-uk_dezeen_2364_col_0-scaled.jpg\" data-orientation=\"portrait\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2311988\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Farmstead Road is a residential development by Metropolitan Workshop.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The surrounding Bellingham Estate was originally designed as a cottage estate and consists of small terraced houses influenced by the Arts and Crafts and Garden City movements.<\/p>\n<p>To maintain the scale of these environments, Metropolitan Workshop has divided Farmstead Road into three volumes, with a mix of two- and three-bedroom apartments, all designed to Passive House standards.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"preload-1\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2311993\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" data-lightboximage=\"https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/phoenix-community-housing-metropolitan-workshop-architecture-residential-london-uk_dezeen_2364_col_5.jpg\" data-orientation=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2311993 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/picsura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775394479_806_Bringing-London-homes-to-life-with-arts-and-crafts-details.jpeg\" alt=\"Aerial view of Farmstead Road, Phoenix community housing by Metropolitan Workshop\" width=\"2364\" height=\"1774\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picsura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775394479_806_Bringing-London-homes-to-life-with-arts-and-crafts-details.jpeg 1x, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/phoenix-community-housing-metropolitan-workshop-architecture-residential-london-uk_dezeen_2364_col_5-1704x1279.jpg 2x\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2364px) 100vw, 2364px\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2311993\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It occupies a 1920s Bellingham Estates landfill.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Studio partner Tom Mitchell said: &#8220;We needed to prove that it was possible to develop a sensitive design without compromising the integrity of the site&#8217;s radial master plan and character.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/1224966\/dezeen_mpu_5 --><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We achieved this by adjusting the layout to the shape of the surrounding site so that when you zoom out, it would appear to be part of the original site design. Fortunately, the planners agreed,&#8221; he told Dezeen.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"preload-2\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2311991\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" data-lightboximage=\"https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/phoenix-community-housing-metropolitan-workshop-architecture-residential-london-uk_dezeen_2364_col_3-scaled.jpg\" data-orientation=\"portrait\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2311991 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/picsura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775394480_975_Bringing-London-homes-to-life-with-arts-and-crafts-details.jpeg\" alt=\"affordable brick homes in london\" width=\"1688\" height=\"2364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picsura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775394480_975_Bringing-London-homes-to-life-with-arts-and-crafts-details.jpeg 1x, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/phoenix-community-housing-metropolitan-workshop-architecture-residential-london-uk_dezeen_2364_col_3-1704x2386.jpg 2x\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1688px) 100vw, 1688px\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2311991\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Arts and Crafts references are featured throughout<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The street-facing development replaces the existing terrace with two &#8216;gatehouse&#8217; volumes. These will surround the driveway to the shared car park and green space at the heart of the scheme.<\/p>\n<p>This common space is hugged by large blocks with a butterfly-shaped plan that aligns with the surrounding property boundaries.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"preload-3\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2312000\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" data-lightboximage=\"https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/phoenix-community-housing-metropolitan-workshop-architecture-residential-london-uk_dezeen_2364_col_12-scaled.jpg\" data-orientation=\"portrait\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2312000 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/picsura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775394480_709_Bringing-London-homes-to-life-with-arts-and-crafts-details.jpeg\" alt=\"Farmstead Road, Phoenix Community Housing, produced by Metropolitan Workshop\" width=\"1772\" height=\"2364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picsura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775394480_709_Bringing-London-homes-to-life-with-arts-and-crafts-details.jpeg 1x, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/phoenix-community-housing-metropolitan-workshop-architecture-residential-london-uk_dezeen_2364_col_12-1704x2273.jpg 2x\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1772px) 100vw, 1772px\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2312000\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The brickwork is complemented by orange metalwork<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The block&#8217;s two diagonal wings are flanked by a central outdoor staircase that looks back onto the street through a large arched opening. This motif is repeated on the balcony of the gatehouse block.<\/p>\n<p>Each block is finished in brickwork selected to closely match the surrounding site, with textured and tiled areas introduced next to entrances and openings.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"related-in-article-wrapper\" id=\"recommended-item-single-story\">\n<article class=\"related-in-article\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Can this image be in the exclude lightbox list? --><img width=\"191\" height=\"191\" src=\"https:\/\/picsura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775394481_73_Bringing-London-homes-to-life-with-arts-and-crafts-details.jpeg\" class=\"excludeLightbox wp-post-image\" alt=\"Photos of citizen house\" decoding=\"async\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picsura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775394481_73_Bringing-London-homes-to-life-with-arts-and-crafts-details.jpeg 191w, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/archio-citizens-house-white-brick-housing-block-london-community-land-trust-1_dezeen_2364_col_0-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/archio-citizens-house-white-brick-housing-block-london-community-land-trust-1_dezeen_2364_col_0-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/archio-citizens-house-white-brick-housing-block-london-community-land-trust-1_dezeen_2364_col_0-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/archio-citizens-house-white-brick-housing-block-london-community-land-trust-1_dezeen_2364_col_0-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/archio-citizens-house-white-brick-housing-block-london-community-land-trust-1_dezeen_2364_col_0-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/archio-citizens-house-white-brick-housing-block-london-community-land-trust-1_dezeen_2364_col_0-411x411.jpg 411w, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/archio-citizens-house-white-brick-housing-block-london-community-land-trust-1_dezeen_2364_col_0-822x822.jpg 822w, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/archio-citizens-house-white-brick-housing-block-london-community-land-trust-1_dezeen_2364_col_0-1233x1232.jpg 1233w, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/archio-citizens-house-white-brick-housing-block-london-community-land-trust-1_dezeen_2364_col_0-852x852.jpg 852w, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/archio-citizens-house-white-brick-housing-block-london-community-land-trust-1_dezeen_2364_col_0-213x213.jpg 213w, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/archio-citizens-house-white-brick-housing-block-london-community-land-trust-1_dezeen_2364_col_0-1704x1703.jpg 1704w, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2023\/04\/archio-citizens-house-white-brick-housing-block-london-community-land-trust-1_dezeen_2364_col_0.jpg 2364w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 191px) 100vw, 191px\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>Archio creates white brick apartment blocks for London Community Land Trust<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The brickwork is complemented by orange metalwork used on the parapets and gutters, as well as dormer window frames that protrude from the oversized mansard roof.<\/p>\n<p>These roofs allowed additional housing to be added without the building becoming too large.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"preload-4\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2311990\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" data-lightboximage=\"https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/phoenix-community-housing-metropolitan-workshop-architecture-residential-london-uk_dezeen_2364_col_2-scaled.jpg\" data-orientation=\"portrait\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2311990 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/picsura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775394482_908_Bringing-London-homes-to-life-with-arts-and-crafts-details.jpeg\" alt=\"London house with mansard roof\" width=\"1688\" height=\"2364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picsura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775394482_908_Bringing-London-homes-to-life-with-arts-and-crafts-details.jpeg 1x, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/phoenix-community-housing-metropolitan-workshop-architecture-residential-london-uk_dezeen_2364_col_2-1704x2386.jpg 2x\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1688px) 100vw, 1688px\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2311990\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dormer windows protrude from the oversized mansard roof<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&#8220;The brick pattern indicates the entrance and frame circulation, the chimney features the house elevator and service riser, and the archway marks the route to the communal gardens. This is a common local aspect,&#8221; Mr Mitchell said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese shapes are playfully turned upside down to form a corrugated railing to the balcony of the gatehouse and the social circulation terrace of the butterfly block,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"preload-5\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2312014\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" data-lightboximage=\"https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/phoenix-community-housing-metropolitan-workshop-architecture-residential-london-uk_dezeen_2364_col_25.jpg\" data-orientation=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2312014 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/picsura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775394482_148_Bringing-London-homes-to-life-with-arts-and-crafts-details.jpeg\" alt=\"apartment complex in london\" width=\"2364\" height=\"1688\" srcset=\"https:\/\/picsura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775394482_148_Bringing-London-homes-to-life-with-arts-and-crafts-details.jpeg 1x, https:\/\/static.dezeen.com\/uploads\/2026\/03\/phoenix-community-housing-metropolitan-workshop-architecture-residential-london-uk_dezeen_2364_col_25-1704x1217.jpg 2x\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2364px) 100vw, 2364px\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2312014\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mix of 2 and 3 bedroom apartments<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Metropolitan Workshop was founded in 2005 by Neil Deeley and David Pritchard and has offices in London and Dublin.<\/p>\n<p>Previous projects by the studio include a modular house tower for developer Pocket Living in Wandsworth, finished in &#8216;chameleon-style&#8217; glazed ceramic tiles.<\/p>\n<p>Other recently completed residential developments in London include Albion Street by Bell Phillips, which features a white brick undulating fa\u00e7ade, and Stanton Williams&#8217; faceted retirement complex in Hampstead.<\/p>\n<p><em>Photographed by Fred Howarth.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>#Bringing #London #homes #life #arts #crafts #details #Metropolitan #Workshop<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Textured brickwork, arch motifs and large mansard roofs are reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts-style setting of Farmstead Road, an affordable housing development developed in London by local studio Metropolitan Workshop. Located on Lewisham&#8217;s 1920s Bellingham Estate reclaimed land, the 24-unit development was designed for Phoenix Community Housing, a not-for-profit, resident-led association. Farmstead Road is &#8230; <a title=\"Bringing London homes to life with arts and crafts details from Metropolitan Workshop\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/picsura.com\/?p=848\" aria-label=\"Read more about Bringing London homes to life with arts and crafts details from Metropolitan Workshop\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":849,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[502,1],"tags":[510,1950,1951,1952,1941,1623,1945,1043,1947,1946,1953,1948,1853,708,741,1949,1954],"class_list":["post-848","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts-design","category-general","tag-arts","tag-bringing","tag-crafts","tag-details","tag-england","tag-homes","tag-housing","tag-life","tag-london","tag-low-cost-housing","tag-metropolitan","tag-metropolitan-workshop","tag-residential-architecture-and-interior","tag-section-all","tag-section-architecture","tag-uk","tag-workshop"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/picsura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/848","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/picsura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/picsura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/picsura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/picsura.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=848"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/picsura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/848\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/picsura.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/849"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/picsura.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/picsura.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/picsura.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}