A Guide to Modernism in Metro-Land
By Joshua Abbott
Art Deco, Modernist & Brutalist architecture in the suburbs of London
Publication date: October 2020

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Metropolitan
Frank Pick: Chiswick Park
Northern
Victoria
Holden
Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly
Central
Circle
District
Bakerloo
Jubilee
Hammersmith
Patron
Goldfinger
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Modernism in Metro-Land started as a website in 2011 and has grown to explore modernist buildings throughout suburban London. Inspired by John Betjeman’s Metro-Land (1973) television programme and the architectural books by Ian Nairn, the website examines the growth of the suburbs from the 1920s to the present day through its modernist designs. Featuring architects such as Charles Holden, Erno Goldfinger and Norman Foster, Modernism in Metro-Land also shows the development of modernist architecture in Britain from its introduction in the 1920s right up to the brink of the 21st century. As well as the website, Modernism in Metro-Land also hosts tours of the modernist stations of the Piccadilly and Central Lines, as well as being a fixture of the annual Open House London weekend with its Stanmore Art Deco house walking tour.
A Guide to Modernism in Metro-Land will be a pocket guide to the modernist buildings of the suburbs. Covering nine London boroughs and two counties, the book will help you explore the modernist heritage of Metro-Land, with over 100 colour photographs. There will be a short description of each building as well as a map for each area to help you find the buildings you want to see.
* From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro-land: Metro-land (or Metroland) is a name given to the suburban areas that were built to the north-west of London in the counties of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Middlesex in the early part of the 20th century that were served by the Metropolitan Railway (the Met). The railway company was in the privileged position of being allowed to retain surplus land; from 1919 this was developed for housing by the nominally independent Metropolitan Railway Country Estates Limited (MRCE). The term "Metro-land" was coined by the Met's marketing department in 1915 when the Guide to the Extension Line became the Metro-land guide. It promoted a dream of a modern home in beautiful countryside with a fast railway service to central London until the Met was absorbed into the London Passenger Transport Board in 1933.
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When is the book expected to be published/shipped?
Hi Jonathan, From the time the pledge target is reached, it can take up to a year for the book to be published. So the quicker we get to 100% the quicker you can get a copy! Josh
What is the pledge target amount? It doesn’t seem to say this anywhere.
Hi Kenneth, The pledge target amount is just over £17,000. Josh
Bit new to this pledging business and I can't see a recommended (or required) amount anywhere, am I missing the obvious?!
There are different levels of pledge; from £15 for a copy of the book with your name in it right up to £5000 for all the bells and whistles. You can also donate a sum on top of your pledge if you'd like via the "Donate" button. The reward levels should be shown on the right hand side of the the crowdfunding page. Josh
I changed my pledge from one to two books on 14 Jan 2019 but Paypal tells me I'm only being charged for one copy! Please can you tell me when the second copy will come?
Hi Nicky, Thanks for getting in touch. You've made two payments (one for the first pledge and one for the upgrade), and you're now at the 'Holden' level so you'll definitely receive two copies. I hope this helps! Unbound Support
Hello Joshua, when will you be conducting the Metro-land tour many thanks Darren Russell
Hi Darren, The tour will follow the publication of the book. Once we have a firm date for publication we will email you regarding the date of the tour. Regards Josh
Any updates on when the book might be posted out? Impatient to have it! All best wishes, Michael
Hi Michael, We are currently in the process of laying out the design of the book. The copy has been edited and the maps finalised. Once the layout is confirmed and signed off we will be able to go to print. You will get an official update via Unbound when this happens. Thank you for your patience, I know the book has been coming a long time! Josh
Hi, which are the 9 London boroughs covered by the book please? Thanks!
Hi Lau, The boroughs covered in the book will be Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Enfield, Haringey, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Richmond plus parts of Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire Josh
Hello Johua, I hope you and your family are well and safe. Please, would you be so kind to contact me because you are a real expert in Art Deco. I would be most grateful if you help me to present a document to Historic England in order to save a beautiful Art Deco building from destruction. My details are: Luz Rodríguez luz@luzrodriguez.co.uk WhatsApp: +447703937858. It is important. Thank you, Luz
Hi Luz, Thanks for your message.Please send an email with more details to info@modernism-in-metroland.co.uk. Also, contact the C20 Society who are experts at conserving 20th century buildings, https://c20society.org.uk/contact-us Regards Josh
Hi, when will the Tote Bags be posted out? I received the splendid book (very many thanks for that) and the message that the Bag would come separately. When might that be, so I can complete my gift? Many thanks, Simon
Hi Simon, The totes were posted out a week ago so you should have received yours by now. If you haven't please get in touch via support@unbound.com and we can look into this for you.