Isokon building
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Image:Isokon Building Hampstead 2005.jpg The Isokon building in Lawn Road, Hampstead, London is a concrete block of 34 flats designed by architect Wells Coates for Jack and Molly Pritchard. They were built between 1933 and 1934 as an experiment in communal living. Few of the flats had their own kitchen as there was a large communal kitchen for the preparation of meals. As part of the lease some residents agreed to provide communal services such as laundry and cleaning.
Early famous residents included Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, Agatha Christie (1940-46), László Moholy-Nagy, Adrian Stokes, Egon Riss and Arthur Korn. Jack and Molly Pritchard lived in the penthouse. The communal kitchen was converted into the Isobar restaurant in 1937.
The Isokon company folded during World War 2. James Stirling was a resident during the 1960s. In 1969 the Isobar was converted into flats and in 1972 the building was sold to Camden Council. It was refurbished by a housing association (Notting Hill Housing Group) in 2003. In the refurbishment a public gallery has been created with reproductions of the original interiors.
The block has controversially been given Grade I listed status, despite being considered ugly by some people.