London architect ordered to demolish £4m award-winning home

A critically acclaimed house may be torn down over lost planning paperwork

The six–storey building at 15 Clerkenwell Close in London is hard to miss. The cube-like structure, built around a series of limestone squares, is certainly original and stands out on this otherwise quiet, residential street.

But while some describe the £4.65m structure as something of a rough diamond – The Observer even went so far as to call it “poetry set in stone” – others consider it a blight on the skyline. Now, the divisive building is being threatened with demolition. 

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Architect Amin Taha, who lives on the top floor with his wife and young son, is currently fighting an enforcement notice from Islington Council, who says the building differs from original plans submitted for approval back in 2012.

The council’s main objection is over the material used on the façade of the building – stone rather than brick – and Taha says that this amendment was approved but that the paperwork has been lost.

The building, completed in 2016, is not only Taha’s home but also contains a number of other residential dwellings, as well as accommodating the office of his architecture firm, Groupwork & Amin Taha.

Award-winning architecture

Nevertheless, the structure has been hailed an architectural triumph, with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) describing it as a “truly bespoke, handcrafted work of art”.

The Clerkenwell Close building has been awarded two prestigious accolades this year - the RIBA London Award 2018 and the RIBA National Award 2018. 

Despite its critical acclaim, local community group the Friends of Clerkenwell Green are among those calling for it to be flattened. They even went so far as to nominate the structure for the Carbuncle Cup, which recognises the worst building of the year.

Mr Taha was first served with an enforcement notice in June 2017 on the grounds that materials used, the height of the building and its design differ from original plans.

In addition, a second enforcement notice was sent in February 2018, which asserts that the building’s design and location are “harming the character and appearance of the local area”.

Mr Taha, who is currently appealing the second enforcement notice, said: “It’s our family home, it’s my office. My parents should be retiring and coming to live here and my sister too, but we’ve had to put it on hold because it could all be destroyed.”

Planning permission withdrawn

A spokesperson from Islington Council said: “After an investigation, the council has come to the view that the building at 15 Clerkenwell Close does not reflect the building that was granted planning permission and Conservation Area consent in 2013.

In the council’s view, the existing building does not benefit from planning permission, and the council issued an enforcement notice on 26 February 2018, to take effect on 9 April 2018.

“The owners of the site appealed that enforcement notice on 6 April 2018, and the case will now be handled by the Planning Inspectorate.”

READ MORE: RIBA House of the Year 2018

Image: Ray Tang / Zuma Press / PA Images