The Isokon Building, located in London and built in the 1930s, served as a model for modern urban living. It was a building ahead of its time with wellbeing at its core. At anatomē, we are giving more thought to architecture and its transformative impact on our wellbeing.
Standing as a testament to the vision of Isokon design company founders Jack and Molly Pritchard and architect Wells Coates, the Isokon Building comprised of 34 flats and was finished in 1934. The flats were promoted as all-inclusive, serviced apartments, providing amenities such as shoe cleaning, window cleaning, and in-house dining, creating a haven of comfort and elegance in Belzise Park, London. Presently, Tom Broughton, the founder of Cubitts London, resides on the fifth floor.
The Isokon Building, with its rich history and architectural significance, has always been a magnet for a diverse community. Its residents included a spectrum of creative minds, from artists and architects to writers. Notable among them were influential émigrés such as Walter Gropius, the founder of the Bauhaus; László Maholy-Nagy, a Hungarian painter, teacher, and photographer; and modernist furniture designer Marcel Breuer. The building's vibrant atmosphere was further enriched by the Isobar restaurant on the ground floor, a favourite haunt of renowned artists Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, and Piet Mondrian.
Tom today takes us through the history of the building, discussing its function, beauty, and relevance, and how he has called it home for the last six years.