On becoming an immigrant, I promise not to call everyone with a different skin colour to me ‘racist’. On becoming an immigrant, I promise not to denounce the country that has welcomed me within its borders as ‘institutionally racist’. On becoming an immigrant, I will not demand that I be described as the same nationality … Continue reading On Becoming an Immigrant (again)
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An Open Letter to Nobody: The Duties of Poetry Now
It is six years since Alice Oswald’s last book was published, and although this is not an excessive time in the work of a poet, the interruption has been occasioned, of course, by the ‘lockdown’ of the UK for two years between March 2020 and April 2022 and the unprecedented changes to our society it … Continue reading An Open Letter to Nobody: The Duties of Poetry Now
Ode to Joy
I wrote this text over a decade ago, I don’t remember exactly when. But recently I was asked about the failure of the Anglican Church to oppose the manufactured crises on whose justification our freedoms are being removed, just as I’ve been asked, repeatedly, about the failure of the Left to do the same. Personally, … Continue reading Ode to Joy
Under Capitalism: Second Manifesto of Architects for Social Housing
Party politics in the UK is over, at least for the next five years and probably for far longer. For the fourth time in ten years the UK electorate has voted a Conservative Prime Minister into power, this time with the largest parliamentary majority since 1987 and at the head of the most right-wing cabinet … Continue reading Under Capitalism: Second Manifesto of Architects for Social Housing
The Very Model of a Modern Parliamentarian
I grew so rich that I was sent By a pocket borough into Parliament. I always voted at my Party’s call, And I never thought of thinking for myself at all. — Gilbert and Sullivan Identifying which election hustings is the most boring you’ve ever attended is a bit like being asked whom you’d prefer … Continue reading The Very Model of a Modern Parliamentarian
Open House
Central Hill, 20 Sept 2015 Central Hill estate participated in the open House 2015, organised by Senaka Weeraman. Over 100 people came on one of three tours given by Senaka, drawing attention both to the excellent design of the estate, as well as the years of neglect and lack of maintenance in the hands of Lambeth … Continue reading Open House
Cressingham Gardens Demolition Decision: Protest
On 13 July 300 people attended a protest at Lambeth Town Hall to protest against Lambeth Council's decision to proceed with the full demolition of the estate. This decision was made public, on Twitter, by Councillor Mathew Bennet, both before residents were informed and days before it was due to be put to a vote … Continue reading Cressingham Gardens Demolition Decision: Protest
46 years on…
Thanks to Sturgis, who are undertaking a green retrofit feasibility study for Cressingham Gardens, for sending us the set of original Tulse Hill drawings produced by Ted Hollamby for Lambeth Council in 1969. The beautiful cover image alone hints at more sensitive approach to urban design - the entire estate was planned around the existing … Continue reading 46 years on…
Open House – Central Hill
ASH has succeeded in organising for Central Hill estate to be a part of Open House over the weekend 19-20 September. Tours by ASH and residents of the estate will take place, and some of the original architects who worked on the scheme are being approached.
Environmental Impact
Kate Crawford and team at UCL Engineering have produced several papers discussing the relative merits and impact of demolition versus refurbishment. https://www.london.gov.uk/mayor-assembly/london-assembly/publications/knock-it-down-or-do-it-up
A Communist in Hong Kong 