Constructed in 1987 on derelict land, 'The Triangle' is a modern, attractive looking block, which was very state-of-the-art for its time.
In the mid 80s to mid 90s, the Co-op acquired a series of Victorian houses on Cromartie Road and were in the process of converting them into flats. The piece of derelict land, was on the same street and belonged to Islington Council.
During World War I, it had once housed a factory which worked on the wings of aircraft. In the 70s, it became home to a large community of squatters and short-lifers, who were the first ‘Triangle’ residents. The area was a mixture of beautiful derelict houses and a lot of squats, ICH Short Life Housing and a huge wild garden in the middle. The Social Democratic party (SDP) demolished many of the buildings around the area, with the excuse that they wanted to build a health centre.
The land destined to become The Triangle, had been abandoned and fenced off for years, before the Co-op bought it from the Council. Then with funding from The Housing Corporation, ICHC commissioned architechs, The ECD Partnership (Energy Conscious Design), to design 20 purpose-built flats.
The new blocks were built with high levels of insulation, their own heating system and double glazing. All the windows facing North or East, were small and those facing the South and West, had large windows to maximise light and heat. The balconies which run across the back of The Triangle were paid for by extra funding from English Heritage.
One of the most special things about The Triangle is how the flats are arranged around a huge ‘secret’ garden, not visible from the street. Growing in the middle of the communal garden is a beautiful pear tree which is well over 100 years old. Richard Cooper, an ICHC member, made sure the tree was protected during the build.
There was a competition to choose a name for the new block and since locals used to call the area around Cromartie Road, Beaumont Rise and Hornsey Road The Triangle before the demolitions, it was the obvious choice.
Tenants were highly satisfied with their new homes and the building won the RIBA Award, (Royal Institute of British Architects) Energy Efficiency Award in 1988.
Many thanks to Ruben Flores.
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