Residential fabric as a memorable city form : a study of West London and Bath

Abstract

The thesis explores the idea of an 'intermediate order' in city form, one that lies between texture and monument, as an attempt to explain the form of London. Unlike Paris, London does not have a grand order of boulevards, plazas and monuments. On a map, it is the imprint of the residential squares of West London that is legible. Texture and monument are defined in the context of the ideas of Rossi, Rowe and Smithson. A definition of the intermediate order was proposed as one wherein a primarily residential fabric provides the legible, articulated urban spaces that give order to the form of the city. An analysis of two examples, West London and Bath helped clarify the characteristics and value of the intermediate order. The development of the Bedford estate of Bloomsbury, was analyzed to reveal typical ordering systems and the urban qualities of its organization and architecture. The study concludes that the intermediate order is essential for an understanding of cities like London, and for showing that residential environments can create public spaces and memorable city form.