Similar to the more widely celebrated estates by Chamberlin, Powell & Bon – the Barbican and Golden Lane – there are a variety of housing types at Vanbrugh Park. The scheme was commissioned by the Borough of Greenwich, whose vision sought a mixture of dwellings. As a result, the estate comprises an elegant eight-storey block containing the majority of the estate's flats, low-rise terraces of houses and flats, and a few single-storey flats arranged over garages.

The perpendicular layout of the terraces creates communal squares and spaces, a key function of the design. As discussed in a book by Robert Maxwell, 'New British Architecture', "The greater part of the site is organised with two-storey blocks forming courts, and although an access road cuts through the middle of the layout, it is quiet and combines with the squares and walkways to provide an environment favouring the pedestrian. The main walkway penetrates the apartment block as if to underline the importance of the pedestrian system".

In Elain Harwood’s book, ‘Chamberlin, Powell & Bon’, the author points out that “Powell gave special attention to preserving trees and planting courtyards and play spaces, which survive… The scheme is a suburban adaptation of the Golden Lane ethos and is a fine example of Chamberlin, Powell & Bon’s interest in place making”.