The Isokon Building - also known as Lawn Road Flats - opened in 1934. Designed by Wells Coates. Popular with artists, writers, a chef and even spies.


It contained 22 single flats, four double flats, three studio flats, staff quarters, kitchens and a large garage. Services included shoe cleaning, laundry, bed making and food sent up by a dumb waiter at the spine of the building. In 1937, a restaurant and bar designed by Marcel Breuer and F. R. S. Yorke named the Isobar – located on the ground floor with a decked outdoor area – was added to the complex. Its first manager was Philip Harben, who after World War II became the first TV celebrity chef at the BBC. The building was popular as a residence during the war due to being made out of reinforced concrete, and despite near bombs, survived the Blitz. It was repainted brown during the war as it was feared its white surface would serve as a guiding pointing for German bombers


Size: 5424px × 8136px
Location: Isokon Flats, Lawn Road, London, UK
Photo credit: © Colin Walton / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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