Alton Estate

[1] At Highcliffe Drive on Alton West the LCC essentially retained the Georgian landscape and placed within it five ultra-modern slab blocks: Binley, Winchfield, Dunbridge, Charcot and Denmead Houses (all grade II* listed buildings), inspired by Le Corbusier's Unité d'habitation.

[2] The Alton is sub-divided into ten smaller neighborhoods, each with their own signage: Arnewood, Danebury, Highcliffe, Hyacinth, Ibsley, Manresa, Norley, Tangley, Tunworth and Wanborough.

The design "represents a desire by some architects to formulate a British version of modernism that was more sensitive to context and referenced a traditional vernacular.

"[3]At the time of its completion in 1958, Alton West was considered by many British architects to be the crowning glory of post-World War II social housing.

[4] While Victorian town houses were demolished to make room for the slab blocks, the landscape and trees were left intact, and the new buildings were slotted in between the existing greenery.