I heard some disturbing news today. In Balham, South London, stands a grand Art Deco apartment block called Du Cane Court. 
Its Wikipedia entry states it is, "A distinctive local landmark, it was opened in 1937 and, with 676 apartments, is the largest privately owned block of flats under one roof in Europe. It is so distinctive (at least from a great height in the air) that it was reputedly used as a navigational landmark by German pilots bombing London during the Second World War" 
Further, it claims, "It is widely believed (particularly in Balham) that Du Cane Court was to be the chosen seat of government for Hitler's invasion should his armies successfully conquer the British, though no documentary evidence exists to prove this theory." There is a proposed refurbishment of this building to include replacement of the original steel windows. Following consultation with local planners, it has been proposed to replace the steel windows with Aluminium, using mock glazing bars instead of true divided lights. 
English Heritage state "Window openings and frames establish the character of a building's elevation. They should not generally be altered in their proportions or details, as they are conspicuous elements of the design." 
English Heritage state "Window openings and frames establish the character of a building's elevation. They should not generally be altered in their proportions or details, as they are conspicuous elements of the design." Last year, a similar Art Deco apartment building in Richmond, West London, carried out a similar refurbishment, and decided to replace their original steel windows with modern, double-glazed replicas from the original manufacturers. The project team and residents of Lichfield Court were so happy with the outcome, that they issued a brocure which is available here in PDF format. 
To rub salt into the wound, Crittall Windows, suppliers of the original steel windows, have been asked to quote to supply the aluminium replacements. That's a bit like asking Michelangelo how much he'd charge to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling in white emulsion. Let's hope it's not too late to stop a totally insensitive refurbishment of part of our architectural heritage.
Its Wikipedia entry states it is, "A distinctive local landmark, it was opened in 1937 and, with 676 apartments, is the largest privately owned block of flats under one roof in Europe. It is so distinctive (at least from a great height in the air) that it was reputedly used as a navigational landmark by German pilots bombing London during the Second World War" 
Further, it claims, "It is widely believed (particularly in Balham) that Du Cane Court was to be the chosen seat of government for Hitler's invasion should his armies successfully conquer the British, though no documentary evidence exists to prove this theory." There is a proposed refurbishment of this building to include replacement of the original steel windows. Following consultation with local planners, it has been proposed to replace the steel windows with Aluminium, using mock glazing bars instead of true divided lights. English Heritage state "Window openings and frames establish the character of a building's elevation. They should not generally be altered in their proportions or details, as they are conspicuous elements of the design." 
English Heritage state "Window openings and frames establish the character of a building's elevation. They should not generally be altered in their proportions or details, as they are conspicuous elements of the design." Last year, a similar Art Deco apartment building in Richmond, West London, carried out a similar refurbishment, and decided to replace their original steel windows with modern, double-glazed replicas from the original manufacturers. The project team and residents of Lichfield Court were so happy with the outcome, that they issued a brocure which is available here in PDF format. To rub salt into the wound, Crittall Windows, suppliers of the original steel windows, have been asked to quote to supply the aluminium replacements. That's a bit like asking Michelangelo how much he'd charge to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling in white emulsion. Let's hope it's not too late to stop a totally insensitive refurbishment of part of our architectural heritage. 
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