Dawson's Heights was built the 1960s by Kate Macintosh when she was with the London Borough of Southwark’s Architecture Department. She had been previously working for Sir Denys Lasdun and considers him to be an influence on her buildings.  She was just 26 years old when she designed this distinctive estate.

In 2012, the Secretary of State turned down an application by English Heritage to grant the estate a Grade-II listing. Emphasising the architectural contribution, English Heritage argued;  ‘the dramatic stepped hilltop profile is a landmark in SE London, and endows the project with a striking and original massing that possesses evocative associations with ancient cities and Italian hill towns…The generous balconies with remarkable views and natural light, the warm brick finish and thoughtful planning introduce a real sense of human scale to a monumental social housing scheme.’

Macintosh said that "if large blocks were to be accepted and loved, as a new way of living, they must try to replicate the best characteristics of the terraced street; that families of different sizes and age groups should intermingle, as their needs and strengths would be diverse and complementary."