London Calling

An ethnic mix has always been an essential part of Londonʹs character, with areas such as Spitalfields home to successive waves of immigrants - from Huguenots in the 18th century to a diverse Jewish population in the mid-20th century, and a sizable Bangladeshi community today. Jeremy Melvin explains how, through its dynamic sense of the multicultural, London taught other cities how to become metropolises. How, though, does an urban mix, such a natural phenomenon in areas such as Old Compton Street (left), Brick Lane (centre) and Electric Avenue (right), translate into current architectural form? Here Melvin looks at the work of three London-based practices that have all worked on community schemes that engender notions of inclusiveness.