Following previous sell outs and 5* reviews of related walking tours, this tour describes how one local authority, the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury, addressed intense social derivation between the World Wars and how an inspired and inspiring Bolshevik Modernist architect, Berthold Lubetkin, rose to the challenge.

Starting with an overview of Modernism and Modernist Architecture and the life of Berthold Lubetkin, this tour will outline the Mid-C20 social and physical environment in Clerkenwell. It will explain how Lubetkin became involved by the Council and how he interpreted their briefs. The tour will highlight Lubetkin's imaginative methods of construction and his unique design features with particular reference and internal tours of two of his Masterpieces, the Finsbury Health Centre, Pine Street and Bevin Court, Cruikshank Street. See if you agree with my description!

Understand the man who, with his practice, Tecton, "brought modern architecture to England". Understand and admire how Lubetkin's dictum "Nothing is too good for ordinary people" was realised in form and function in his designs. And marvel how Lubetkin's pioneering use of new materials created a building whose "opening arms and formal entrance approach were ....... a deliberate attempt to introduce a smile into what is in fact a machine.” And experience “the spectacular staircase (that) dances skyward" (See photo).

This tour is based on a walking tour which has drawn rave 5* reviews on Tripadvisor. One reviewer described Jiff as a Guide "who had researched everything to the finest detail and had a friendly and relaxed way of putting it over in simple non-technical language." Another was moved to exclaim " I left the tour feeling excited and inspired to obtain a glimpse into a new angle in this amazing city." Join me to see if I can leave you uplifted after a Virtual Tour!

This tour was one of a series of events connected with the restoration of the lobby of Bevin Court. See "https://bevincourt.wordpress.com/" for more information.

This is a live virtual tour hosted via Zoom video conferencing where your guide will give an illustrated presentation of the tour route with an accompanying talk. There will be opportunities for questions and interaction both during and after the virtual tour.