So were do we go from here?. As an architectural student completing my
diploma I have (lately)constantly been asking myself "what is the point
anyway". Were do all these theoretical concepts lead there must be a
way forward out of this mire of development, city centers becoming
tourist attractions (leicester sq. comes to mind) the "rehabilitation"
of decayed urban landscapes (Canary Wharf) only to be faced with
failure, and left with the inescapable fear that all faith will be lost
as we create our own living hell. The great fire of london prompted the
total redesign of the city. Every thing was destroyed and as Im sure
you know redesigned by Sir Christopher Wren. Must the same happen again
before we can ever accept our destiny. Clinging to the past as we are
can only lead to regrett over what we will become wereas acceptance of
our future well.... who knows. But have we not tried before, should the
post war development not have carried as into a shinning future. In
reality all we are left with is crumbling social housing ridden with
crime, abuse and any other form of human degradation you may think of.
Now again we try to return to our roots by tearing down the
monstrositys ( a commonly used descriptive term I myself do not agree
with)and in its place build quiant little houses echoing the layout of
any country town one may happen upon in the British countryside. This
though is not the British countryside this is a British city. The
housing developments are filled with the same social problems that
occupied the monstrositys there before. So were do we go from here?. To
the author of this truly honest and simple explanation of an
architecture failing society I ask,
please contact me if you would. At the moment I am attending the
University of Westminster. We are in a few weeks embarking upon this
years design project entitled the London Assembly. My group is dealing
with a space of public assembly in an age of information technology.
Please excuse me for my lack of indepth explanation but it is now 2
o'clock in the morning and I must retire. I sincerely hope that you
will contact me and that we may be able to further discuss this topic I
hope that you may even consider becoming involved in the project itself
once I have told you more about it