Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
A modernist Counterpoint to the Salisbury?
Over on another discussion on the site, in response to a question asked by Rachel, I've mused that a striking modernist piece of architecture would be far preferable for the Salisbury site to a carbuncle that's ashamed and trying to hide itself. I said that there were loads of example around the world of new architecture successfully set against old.
Shall we try and inspire the Council? Can you guys help with some examples??
Shall we try and inspire the Council? Can you guys help with some examples??
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Eddie Finnegan on
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I see that SAVE's Mark Hines scheme for Toxteth Street stresses: "On the street side, landscaping improvements will provide a pedestrian-friendly environment without banishing cars."
We could all do with a bit of that. Indeed I wonder whether the Victorian/Edwardian terrace's walled-off 'front garden' (now more often an untidy concreted or flagged hard surface) is still essential to the original style or even to residents' sense of privacy. Maybe we should let Mark Hines Architects loose on Wightman Road, just as a pilot.
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Permalink Reply by Nigel Lupton (luptonn) on
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I love the new Bull Ring in Birmingham: http://www.flickr.com/photos/luptonn/2483041901/in/set-721576050028... but I'm not sure it would fit next to the Salisbury
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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Here's getting close to the sort of thing I mean - a phonecam snap I took in High Holborn one lunchtime a few years ago. The grey building in the froground isn't right up against the pub, but it could be.:
And a bit furter east - you can just see the new up against the old:
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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This is an incredibly valuable discussion thread and a vital public debate we should find ways of encouraging.
A few years ago, I chaired a Neighbourhood Assembly and arranged a small project for three local residents who were loaned cameras and gave illustrated talks on their local Likes and Dislikes.
One participant's photos are posted on Flickr starting here. Or search Flickr using this tag.
I'd like to see Haringeyonline members posting such photos, videos and comments. Not just with buildings they like and why. But taking us to the corners of Harringay, Haringey and London they especially like/dislike. (Some people have already started this sort of discussion, with recommendations for places they enjoy visiting.
I'm glad Eddie has his dream Victorian terrace house. Zena and I quite like our two-and-a-half-bedroom 1930s home in Tottenham Hale. But there are other key factors apart from architectural style. One reason we've been happy is because we have good neighbours. Another is that we could just about afford a house with enough space for us as a small family.
What I really want to see is more choice - for everyone. Not just homes with different styles - including modern styles. But with enough personal space. Houses and flats which are well-built, properly maintained and have the flexibility to change with the occupants.
But the reality is that there aren't enough affordable decent homes for millions of people. Taking advantage of the shortage, huge numbers of attractive Victorian, Edwardian and even Georgian houses are still being poorly and cheaply converted into hutches. While the buy-to-let market may be shrinking; buy-to-hutch landlords are still making fortunes from the public purse, out of the misery of temporary housing and homelessness. (That includes right-to-buy sales which often end-up, not as homes for families who live in public housing - but as nice little earners for absentee landlords.) We even have the disgrace of local authorities and housing associations being starved of funds to refurbish street properties. And millions goes on subsidy of private developers, instead of actually building good public housing.
Rant over! Back to the topic of modern design . . .
I was once visiting a friend in Buffalo, New York. We were on a bus in a neighbourhood with the most gorgeous wood frame "gingerbread" houses. Then at one intersection stood a more modern home. And - yes Eddie - to my eyes it was 'wow' and 'stunning'.
"How on earth were they allowed . . . ?
My friend anticipated my question. "Three little words", she said.
"Frank. Lloyd. Wright."
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Permalink Reply by StephenBln on
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Of course it's all down to personal taste.. but it bids a borough or a neighbourhood well to have someone in the planning dept with an interest in Archictecture. Someone with some feeling for the locality. Obviously those that allowed the building opposite the Salisbury to be built were just interested in having/getting some investment into the area and weren't at all interested in whether they were creating a 2020s slum or not.
I think Nigel's dollop is a great building, BUT I don't think it should have built so close to an important church. Here again, it was money that was the driving force.
I personally think that London has too much Victorian and pre-war building for its own good. I would much prefer to have less in better condition than so much in a run down state. I don't know anywhere else in Western Europe that has more of a 'shanty town' feel about it than the inner suburban ring of London.
People (home owners) generally don't seem to appreciate what they are custodians of and that accounts for the monstrous 'modernisations' seen everywhere.. Where were/are the Borough's planning dept? Sleeping?
How it could be? Take at look at these 20 year old Social Housing blocks in an inner city area with a large migrant community.
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The buildings look quite similar (at least the idea of large window areas does) to this building currently being built here in Berlin by investors from the emirates..This building has taken 17 years to get started.. (IMO that's why it looks quite dated).
I just wonder whether the Finsbury Park development will ever see the light of day?
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Just to keep this discussion on the go, I hope you don't moind me adding a photo of this building.. photo taken yesterday ..
The war-time bomb-damaged part has been replaced, not by a copy of what was previously there, but by a modernist style..
I like it a lot: (click to enlarge)
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Moind? I poisitoivley woilcome it Stoive.
(For those readers who think I'm being unnecessarily bitchy in pointing out Stephen's typo, you should know that he has cruelly and mercilessly hounded me about my appalling typing accuracy. I couldn't resist the opportunity..............):o)
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awight-- although those who live in glass houses...
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Yet another example, this time the proposed New Thameslink Station at London Bridge, which for me isn't very sympathetic to its surroundings..
ediT: image size changed
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I love that building - it's just one of a few very tall buildings planned - and can't wait to see it added to the skyline.
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