The Heygate Estate - A day before revoked access

Where: Walworth/Elephant and Castle South East London

When: September 2013

Who: Kerri SImpson

The Heygate Estate, a place i had never engaged with on any level until the third year of my  Architecture degree at London South Bank University.

At the beginning of the year we were asks as collective undergraduate representatives of the Architecture department to explore the Heygate estate in small groups, seeking subject matter from a derelict environment; contrary to the lack of occupation it was disturbingly evidential that this place was once a community of its own. Although one must say not the most appealing environment to live in but an interesting environment none the less to explore from an Architectural scenic perspective,possibly, until you get carried away with the fact that you are delving into what is going to make a Architectural Landmark once it is no longer standing. 

I can only let the images speak for themselves, I could explain the historic values of the Heygate Estate covering  corbusian style habitiational ideas and the visions of Tim Tinker combined with the sociological problems however I feel that is something everyone touches on and well explained on other sites.

Fuelled by Architecture's interest in the Heygate Estates 'previous being' stems from exploration at footfall   

The series of images presented are the aspects that captured me the most, the point of which I felt unsafe although there was nothing to feel unsafe about, apart from the fact there were syringes, broken glass ect. I hope that these images can give you a sense of what the Heygate felt like. 

I was privileged along with others to step on the site and be able to take these photos. This is one of the things I can thank Southbank for!

...