Barbican Living
The different types of flats in Gilbert House
Regular Flats
The view is so good that it would have been spoiling the residents, to have given them windows on both sides of the block. The flats are arranged on one side or the other of a central internal corridor. Each flat has either an east or a west view over the lake. The corridor leads to lifts and staircases at both ends of the block. There are not many ways to design a flat with windows on one wall only: bedrooms and living rooms are always at the front with windows; kitchens bathrooms and WCs are always at the back without. There are 15 different “types” of flat in Gilbert House, but really the differences between some types are too small to mention. All the flats (except those at either end) have a virtually identical layout. The living room and the bedroom are next to each other at the front, with windows. Behind the bedroom is a bathroom and a WC. Behind the living area is a kitchen. The kitchen does not go right across the width of the living room. Instead it takes a chunk out of it at one corner, leaving an L shaped living room. (Types 26 and 27 on floors 1 and 3; 31 and 32 on floors 2, 4 and 5). At each end of the block, the flats are smaller or differently shaped because of the stairs and lifts (Types 70 and 71). Some of the corner flats have two bedrooms because of the extra window space. (Types 39 and 41).
Penthouse Flats
There are duplex (two floor) penthouses on floors 6 and 7. The lower level has a living area, with a bedroom, bathroom, WC, and kitchen round it. The living area is the special attraction. It’s double height. Upstairs, there is a gallery, off which are two bedrooms and a bathroom, built over the single height bedroom, bathroom, WC and kitchen downstairs. You half expect Emma Peel to come down the stairs in a cat suit. (Types 35 and 36). (At the ends of the block, the penthouses are one floor only, and much smaller). (Types 72, 73 and 74).
