I enjoy old historical architecture & enjoy the possibility of " vintage " buildings & houses being granted a new 2nd life. This little town is " lousy ", if you will, with places that are easily over 2 centuries old that have been repurposed & opened.
The image of the derelict interior was taken in Gade View Gardens - which was Erno Goldfinger's first social housing project ( people often think it was Balfron tower ) I don't think there was a whimper when it was pulled down and turned into a block of identikit bland flats ... don't get me wrong - I like progress - but sometimes we should think before we raze ...
Thanks for that insight. I recently saw a very good critique of Trellick Tower (https://youtu.be/66z3ppdDElc), done by a New York architect. "The tower block has been recast as a metaphor for all the ills of modern society." The tower got vandalised; it didn't do the vandalism. I think it's brilliant. But would I want to live there?
EXACTLY. Unless a building has suffered structural damage to where it would have to practically rebuilt / renovated like the ship of THESEUS, it should be worth salvaging.
The recent Wim Wenders film Perfect Days came to mind with the closed lav. How come some public cleaners take huge pride in their work, and other facilities are left to rack and ruin?
I spent a lot of time trying (a) to read and (b) to understand the sign on the shack in Whitstable. Whitstable is bracing and jolly. And that sign must be its great mystery.
Nice thought on the caravan: built for mobility, there comes a day when its immobility becomes established. King John Court (the Court of King John? Not a popular man ...) was built for immobility and now where is it?
Thank you Graham - I totally love Perfects Days - I'm a massive Wenders fan also but I feel it's a film for everyone, gentle, and beautiful with just the perfect amount of pathos ... What I wondered was whether this derelict toilet has been turned into some trendy bar - I must check the next time I'm back in London.
I lived in Whistable years ago when at university - lets just say it's changed quite a lot in the last thirty plus years!
The King John Court image I took because of the Space Invader - it was a massive thing back in the day - they demolished a train bridge only to replace it with another and build a massive office block next to it ....
First of all, a lot of Japanese take pride in their work, whatever job they do.
Secondly, the toilets featured in Perfect Days are the exception, not the rule. They are literally designer toilets, part of a recent project by Tokyo's Shibuya Ward. Most Japanese public toilets - those to be found in public parks - are much uglier, grottier, smellier.
Wonderful series!
Thank you Manuela
A well narrated story here. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you Stephen - you are welcome!
I enjoy old historical architecture & enjoy the possibility of " vintage " buildings & houses being granted a new 2nd life. This little town is " lousy ", if you will, with places that are easily over 2 centuries old that have been repurposed & opened.
The image of the derelict interior was taken in Gade View Gardens - which was Erno Goldfinger's first social housing project ( people often think it was Balfron tower ) I don't think there was a whimper when it was pulled down and turned into a block of identikit bland flats ... don't get me wrong - I like progress - but sometimes we should think before we raze ...
Thanks for that insight. I recently saw a very good critique of Trellick Tower (https://youtu.be/66z3ppdDElc), done by a New York architect. "The tower block has been recast as a metaphor for all the ills of modern society." The tower got vandalised; it didn't do the vandalism. I think it's brilliant. But would I want to live there?
EXACTLY. Unless a building has suffered structural damage to where it would have to practically rebuilt / renovated like the ship of THESEUS, it should be worth salvaging.
Nice series, I enjoyed this.
The recent Wim Wenders film Perfect Days came to mind with the closed lav. How come some public cleaners take huge pride in their work, and other facilities are left to rack and ruin?
I spent a lot of time trying (a) to read and (b) to understand the sign on the shack in Whitstable. Whitstable is bracing and jolly. And that sign must be its great mystery.
Nice thought on the caravan: built for mobility, there comes a day when its immobility becomes established. King John Court (the Court of King John? Not a popular man ...) was built for immobility and now where is it?
Thanks.
Thank you Graham - I totally love Perfects Days - I'm a massive Wenders fan also but I feel it's a film for everyone, gentle, and beautiful with just the perfect amount of pathos ... What I wondered was whether this derelict toilet has been turned into some trendy bar - I must check the next time I'm back in London.
I lived in Whistable years ago when at university - lets just say it's changed quite a lot in the last thirty plus years!
The King John Court image I took because of the Space Invader - it was a massive thing back in the day - they demolished a train bridge only to replace it with another and build a massive office block next to it ....
First of all, a lot of Japanese take pride in their work, whatever job they do.
Secondly, the toilets featured in Perfect Days are the exception, not the rule. They are literally designer toilets, part of a recent project by Tokyo's Shibuya Ward. Most Japanese public toilets - those to be found in public parks - are much uglier, grottier, smellier.
It would seem my comment applies as much within the single sphere of Japan as in drawing a contrast between Japan and London.