Top 95+ Captivating 1970s Council House Design For Every Budget

As technology and style began to integrate, modernist council house designs of the 1970s reflected the sleek lines and powerful shapes previously only found in industrial and commercial buildings. A distinct change in the architecture of council house designs of the time, modernist designs were characterized by their strong geometric lines, unconventional shapes and monochromatic colors. Many brick buildings were built around this period, emphasizing the exposed structural components of the building as a feature rather than their minimal and clean finishes. The design philosophy of the time was much more architectural, often focused on designing for functionality and reducing unnecessary adornments.

The 1970s also saw the infamous brutalist council house designs take hold. Easily identifiable by their formidable shapes; these buildings were designed to be formidable or imposing. Often composed of concrete, brick or other materials that had an industrial aesthetic, brutackers echoed a minimalist and raw design that includes angular unfinished walls, deep concrete frames and other features. These designs were often cheaper to construct and ideologically was considered to be prescriptive to housing the majority of a city’s populations at a time.

The terraced council house designs of the 1970s were notable for their approach to dealing with limited space. When constructing homes for dwellings in an area where land was in short supply, terraced house designs offered a more efficient use of space. Often composed of long rectangular and terraced structures, these dwellings featured long narrow passageways, small courtyards, balconies and parapets. In addition, many of these homes were equipped with amenities and services such as communal laundries and recreation rooms in order to accommodate the needs of their inhabitants.

Many populations of the 1970s were experiencing an increasing trend of people flocking to the cities. High-rise council house designs answered the need for increased housing while also taking advantage of the expansive cityscapes. Tall and towering constructions, high-rise council houses often had spacious communal spaces, modern amenities and services, balconies, and multiple stories. For many, this design offered an opportunity to enjoy the city from a more comfortable height.

The 1970s saw an increase in mixed development council house designs. This approach to design combined the functional requirements of city living with modern amenities such as shops, entertainment and public services. The lack of land available made it impossible to simply construct large and sprawling dwellings in order to accommodate the city’s inhabitants. Mixed development buildings offered the opportunity to design for the needs of the community while still making use of the space available to them.

During the 1970s, a major influx of immigrants meant that council housing had to adapt to accommodate the influx of people. A variety of immigrant council house designs began to emerge, often contrasting with existing designs. Providing a blend of homes and services, many of these buildings came equipped with schools, medical centers, and libraries to meet the needs of the populace. In addition, many of these dwellings featured a strong cultural identity, inspired by the traditional styles of the immigrant’s homeland.

In contrast to the heavily stylised council house designs of the time, minimalist designs emerged. These minimalist council house designs focused on an efficient use of space as well as usability and simplicity. They often featured flat and outwardly humble surfaces without adornment, often featuring monochrome color schemes that created a uniform look. Often, materials such as wood and metal were used in order to create an efficient, sleek and minimalistic design.

With the need for increased housing, multi-use council house designs emerged. By building spaces that served multiple purposes such as shops, schools, and medical centers, councils were able to accommodate more people in a smaller area. These units often featured large internal filtration systems, energy efficient insulation and other features which allowed them to be used for multiple functions.

In the 1970s, the idea of future living took prominence. Building materials such as steel, glass, and plastics allowed inmates the opportunity to build futuristic council house designs. Often featuring glazed windows, exposed metal frames, panoramic views, and other features which could not be found in previous designs, this style of council housing was futuristic and captivated the imagination.

Modern and sustainable council house designs of the 1970s took into account the environment in its construction and used energy efficient materials. For example, solar panels, water catching devices, and wind turbines began to appear on these designs using the natural environment to power the dwellings. Sustainability was an important issue during the period as it was seen as a key to meeting the needs of increasing populations while also considering the environment’s health.