Dream flats turn into nightmare for furious residents

23 September 2005

THE iconic Isokon renovation in Lawn Road has won awards galore and last weekend's Open House London event saw the public queuing out the door of the Grade I-listed building.

But life in the Isokon is not quite the idyll it appears, according to residents are fighting a battle against what they claim is shoddy workmanship.

Andrea Breninek moved into one of the 20 refurbished flats - made available to keyworkers such as teachers, nurses and health staff - in June.

At first, the 42-year-old community health team psychologist was delighted with her studio flat.

But last month she was shocked to find bubbles covering her linoleum floor after returning from holiday.

She called her landlords - the Notting Hill Housing Association - when the bubbles burst, causing an explosion of damp.

"They told me over the telephone that it was probably to do with my washing machine," Ms Breninek said.

"They did nothing for four weeks until I made threats of legal action. I was putting my hand in behind the washing machine to feel for damp.

"When the plumbers came and moved the washing machine out I saw the damp was two centimetres from a live wire. I was very lucky I wasn't killed."

The problem with the washing machine has been mended. But flooring is loose and the new underlay is already mouldy and dissolving.

Makers, the building firm which carried out the refurbishment, has provided a guarantee for the interiors - but that runs out in December.

And Ms Breninek fears the damage will not be repaired and further problems will appear after the deadline for defects.

"I am very scared I will have to take them to court," she said. "They have fixed the leak - but the damage got much greater.

"You can get very attached to the amazing architecture of the beautiful building.

"But I wanted to do an alternative Open House day to show the poor standard of workmanship today."

The Isokon apartments went onto the market after an extensive refurbishment, which was delayed but was finally completed in December last year.

When the renovated flats failed to sell, the Notting Hill Housing Association relaxed the rules defining Camden key workers.

Now all the units have been sold for a range of prices starting at £160,000.

But it is not just Ms Breninek who has complained.

One flat flooded this summer and, in June, Barnet secondary school teacher David Wright's balcony melted.

He and 12 other key workers in the flats sent a list of defects to the housing association.

"There was a whole catalogue of shoddy workmanship which would be an insult to a cowboy builder," said Mr Wright.

But in July, Makers was presented with a sustainability award by Camden Council leader Dame Jane Roberts.

At the ceremony, Dame Jane said: "These awards reflect Camden Council's commitment to promoting high quality building in the borough.

"A number of the winners were chosen because they have sought to address the environmental impact of their development through sustainable design."

But Camden Council said: "The award did not relate to the maintenance works."

In June, the Royal Institute of British Architects presented a design award to Avanti, the architects behind the £4million redevelopment.

RIBA's head of awards Tony Chapman said: "If we had known about the defects at Isokon then the Isokon Trust and architects Avanti may not have won the award."

However, Notting Hill Housing Association said: "Isokon is still in its 12-month defects period.

"This is standard for any new building as it is only to be expected that items requiring attention will come to light when people take up residence.

"We have made our best endeavours to liaise with all lessees at Isokon to identify defects and discuss what is required to remedy them."

When approached by the Ham&High, builders Makers declined to comment.

marc.mullen@hamhigh.co.uk