Join us for a screening of 'The White Flats,' a documentary about the Whittington Estate (Highgate Newtown Phase 1).

As part of the NLA’s public programme, and in line with our latest research Homes for Londoners, please join us for a screening of The White Flats, a 25‑minute film that explores the lived experiences of residents at the Highgate New Town estate in Camden. 

 

Designed by Peter Tábori and Ken Adie as part of Camden Council’s in‑house team, the estate provides 275 homes arranged in a series of south‑facing, low‑rise terraces that step down Dartmouth Park Hill and are positioned around four pedestrianised streets and a central green space. Having lived on the estate for many years and raised their families there, architects Jo McCafferty and Rachel Stevenson, together with film editor Anna Price, wanted to showcase this 45‑year‑old estate as an exemplar of good housing design. 

 

The resulting film was created entirely by residents, who shot and edited the footage, composed the music, provided photographs and reminiscences, and starred in it. With no budget, all resources and skills were contributed voluntarily by the community. It stands as an estate‑wide collaboration, communicating the lived experience of residents of all ages and serving as a powerful reminder of the impact of good housing design — and its ability to nurture community life and neighbourliness. 

 

The White Flats demonstrates how architecture can profoundly influence community life, showing that thoughtful design fosters intergenerational engagement, independence for children, and resilience in urban living. It also underscores the importance of including children’s voices in housing design, a perspective too often overlooked in policy and planning.