Span Developments Blackheath Estate History and Development

Span Developments has a significant presence in the Blackheath area, with a notable estate that has undergone significant changes over the years.

The Blackheath Estate was originally a small, rural village that was transformed into a desirable residential area in the early 20th century.

Span Developments was instrumental in this transformation, bringing modern amenities and infrastructure to the area, making it an attractive option for families and professionals alike.

This development has had a lasting impact on the local community, shaping the area into what it is today.

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Span Developments was formed in the late 1950s by Eric Lyons and Geoffrey Townsend, along with landscape designers Ivor Cunningham and Michael Brown.

The company's first successful period was in the sixties, during which they built over 2,000 homes in London and Kent.

Their aim was to bridge the gap between suburban monotony and architecturally designed residences.

Span built 73 schemes in southern England, comprising over 2,000 dwellings, before ceasing operation in 1984.

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Their developments combined modernist design with attention to detail and harmony with the suburban environment.

Span houses typically featured flat roofs, open-plan interiors, and large windows, along with traditional elements like hung tiles and stock brick work.

The company's ethos was to build "homes within a garden", and many developments included large landscape communal gardens.

In 1969, the last Span Development was completed at Marsham Lodge in Gerrards Cross, comprising 25 houses in communal gardens.

Span's guiding principles included dynamic spatial site arrangements, imaginative house layouts, and generous communal landscapes.

They prioritized people over vehicles, creating introverted schemes that encouraged community self-management.

The company's goal was to create an overall unity that avoided regimentation, provided a sense of freshness, and enhanced the natural features of the site.

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Eric Lyons' approach to post-war housing was centered around providing an affordable environment that gave people a lift. His mission was to create homes that were not only functional but also vibrant and well-loved.

Built almost entirely for Span Developments, the estates were designed to be highly successful. Span Developments' mission was to provide an affordable environment.

Eric Lyons' work is celebrated in the book "The Spirit of Span Housing", which showcases his famous post-war housing estates. The book is a self-published effort by James Strike, an architectural historian and resident of Fieldend, a span estate.

The book captures the spirit of Span housing by detailing all the estates and focusing on Fieldend as a typical example.

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The modernist designs of Span developments are a standout feature of these homes. They typically combine modernist design with attention to detail and harmony with the suburban environment.

Large clerestory high level windows and open-plan interiors are common in Span house designs. These features are often softened by more traditional elements such as hung tiles and stock brick work.

The Span ethos is to build "homes within a garden", which is reflected in the large integrated landscape communal gardens that are often included in these developments. Many Span developments are car-free, a radical difference from other post-war developments.

Concealed communal parking is a deliberate design choice to encourage social interaction among residents. This feature is a key part of the Span concept.

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The features of Span developments are truly unique and innovative. They combined modernist design with attention to detail and harmony with the suburban environment.

Their house designs typically had mono-pitch roofs with large, clerestory high level windows and open-plan interiors. This created a sense of spaciousness and connection to the outdoors.

However, these modernist features were softened by more traditional elements such as hung tiles and stock brick work.

The Span ethos was to build "homes within a garden", so most developments include large integrated landscape communal gardens. These gardens are a key feature of Span developments and are often a highlight of the community.

Many Span developments are car-free, which was a radical concept at the time. This allowed for more pedestrian-friendly spaces and a stronger sense of community.

The use of modular designs and on-site fabrication helped keep construction costs low. This approach also allowed for more efficient use of materials and a reduced environmental impact.

The relatively high housing density of Span developments was often a point of contention with planning authorities. However, it also added to the economic viability of the projects.

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Blackheath Walk Architecture is a fascinating topic. Ana Sutherland, an architect and author, has written a book about modern buildings in Blackheath and Greenwich.

Architect Ana Sutherland will lead a guided tour of the Cator Estate, which features Eric Lyons' Span estates and unique modernist homes designed by architects Patrick Gwynne, Peter Moro, and Walter Greaves.

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