Lansbury Estate at 75: Study day (conference only)
Lansbury Estate at 75: Study day only (walk not included)
Saturday 16 May 2026
Start time/place: 10am/Cowcross Street Gallery (EC1M 6EJ)
Finish time/place: 1pm/Cowcross Street Gallery (EC1M 6EJ)
PLEASE NOTE: These tickets are for the conference at Cowcross Street only. The afternoon walk is fully sold out and not included in this booking.
The Lansbury Estate is the largest council estate in Poplar. Mostly built in four phases between 1949 and 1982 (with some parts currently being redeveloped and extended), it illustrates the shifting trends in post-war council housing design and layout. As the Survey of London notes, 'the interest of the estate lies as much, if not more, in the story of its planning and construction as in what was actually built'.
This is especially true of its first phase, which formed the basis of the Live Architecture Exhibition during the Festival of Britain. It opened on 3 May 1951 - one day ahead of the main South Bank celebrations. The origins of the Lansbury Estate can be traced to the County of London Plan of 1943, commissioned by the London County Council. The area had suffered severely during the war, with around 24 per cent of buildings destroyed or seriously damaged.
The C20 Society is organising a study day on 16 May 2026 to celebrate the Lansbury Estate’s 75th birthday.
The event will consist morning of talks at the Gallery in Cowcross Street – confirmed speakers including John Allan, John Boughton, Catherine Croft, Miles Glendinning, Owen Hatherley, Claire Titley and Rosamund Lily West.
Please note that the programme is subject to change.
C20 Members’ price: £20
Non-members’ price: £25
Young C20: £10*
*For Young C20 members, please email lukas@c20society.org.uk to secure a place.
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The Twentieth Century Society is an IHBC (Institute of Historic Building conservation) recognised CPD provider.
Twentieth Century Society is a registered charity, no 1110244
Image: St Mary and Joseph Church, Lansbury Estate, 1961. Courtesy of London Metropolitain Archive.