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The biographer and friend of pioneering modernist architect Berthold Lubetkin has called on NHS chiefs to restore the world-famous Finsbury Health Centre to its former glory.

Lubetkin (1901-1990) designed some of Islington’s most renowned public buildings, including the clinic in Pine Street, the grade II*-listed Spa Green council estate, Priory Green estate and Bevin Court, another grade II*-listed block of council flats best known for its central staircase.

But according to John Allan, of Angel-based Avanti Architects, health officials have been dragging their feet over much-needed restoration work at the grade I-listed health centre.

“What Lubetkin accomplished with Finsbury Council in the 1930s and early post-war period remains an inspirational demonstration of what can be achieved by an outstanding architect and an enlightened local authority working together in pursuit of a shared progressive vision,” Mr Allan told the Tribune.

As a 25-year-old he first met Lubetkin in 1970, striking up a 20-year friendship with the man four decades his senior. “If only the health centre could now be restored with the care and commitment that has been directed towards his three great housing projects – Spa, Priory and Bevin – this unique legacy would be secured,” he said.


Finsbury Health Centre was largely the brainchild of two recent immigrants. Dr Chuni Katial had arrived in London from the Punjab in 1929 and become a ward councillor and chairman of Finsbury’s public health committee. Acting with alderman Harold Riley, he appointed Lubetkin to design a new clinic.

A Jewish immigrant born in Georgia who had witnessed the Russian Revolution while studying in Moscow, Lubetkin formed the architectural practice Tecton after arriving in London.

The clinic has provided free healthcare services for the community – greatly deprived then – continuously since the day it opened in 1938, 10 years before the birth of the NHS.

“It is arguably the most advanced modern building of the first half of the century,” said Mr Allan, who is the author of an award-winning biography of the architect.

“It’s not only highly progressive politically but also architecturally, in the way the technical aspects of the building sit together. It’s a totally legible building. Its open arms and inviting entrance were designed to say: ‘The local authority is on your side’.”

He added: “Lubetkin did not believe architects should be these mysterious professionals who produce things which people should not be able to understand. He believed a building should be totally explicit and self-evident and in this instance it was a very democratic and inclusive project.”

Mr Allan, a member of Finsbury Health Centre Preservation Trust, led a partial restoration project of the clinic in the mid-1980s but is extremely concerned that nothing has been done to the building since.

“Any building needs maintenance,” he added. “We’ve had several reasonably constructive meetings with NHS Property Services but nothing is happening. The health centre is known the world over. It should be addressed urgently.”

The health centre was threatened with closure in 2008, when the then Primary Care Trust planned to sell the building. But it was saved after a campaign drew in more than 2,000 supporters as well as backing from Islington Council.

The building envelope needs to be upgraded, windows need replacing, heating and electrical systems require upgrading and two lifts have to be installed, Mr Allan said. He estimates the project would cost in the region of £10million or possibly less.

A spokeswoman for NHS Property Services said: “We are committed to preserving and conserving our buildings where financially viable, and we are in talks with Finsbury Health Centre Preservation Trust on how best to preserve the building.

“We need to undertake a detailed financial assessment and consider the level of investment that might be possible, while carefully balancing priorities within the remainder of the estate.”

Mr Allan was due to give a talk on Lubetkin’s work at Islington Museum last night (Thursday). It was organised as part of the Bevin Court Community Restoration Project and the London Architecture Festival.

A new edition of his 1992 book, Berthold Lubetkin: Architecture and the Tradition of Progress, is due in October.