Highpoint (building)

Highpoint I and Highpoint II are two modernist apartment buildings in Highgate, London, England. Designed by Berthold Lubetkin's Tecton architectural practice, they are considered significant examples of early modern architecture in Britain.

Highpoint I (1935): Commissioned by Sigmund Gestetner, a manufacturer of duplicating machines, Highpoint I was conceived as high-quality housing for Gestetner's employees. Its design incorporated avant-garde principles, drawing inspiration from Soviet constructivism and European modernism. The building features a concrete frame, a flat roof, and a distinctive "butterfly" plan which maximizes light and ventilation. Notable features include the sculptures by Henry Moore on the entrance canopy and the use of a reinforced concrete structure allowing for large open spaces. The building was originally painted white.

Highpoint II (1938): Also known as Highpoint Two, this second building was built adjacent to Highpoint I. While sharing a similar aesthetic, Highpoint II is larger and incorporates some design modifications. It features a more elaborate facade with a prominent central entrance and cantilevered balconies. Highpoint II’s construction marked a further refinement of Tecton’s approach to reinforced concrete construction and modernist design.

Both Highpoint I and II were highly influential, demonstrating the possibilities of modern architecture in a residential context and influencing subsequent social housing designs in Britain and beyond. They are both Grade I listed buildings, recognizing their exceptional architectural and historical significance. The buildings are noted for their innovative use of materials, their elegant form, and their contribution to the development of modern architecture in the UK.