I've noticed so many cranes across Central London as I've walked from place to place. They seem at odds with London's centuries old buildings. This one is right on the River Thames.
Thinking about the rapidly changing London, I came across this busker playing cheerful 1920's music on a tuba that breathes fire. I instantly thought of Joanna Hogg's 2013 film Exhibition which I believe this exact man appears in, playing similar music in the film on his fire-tuba. I've been thinking a lot about Hogg's films since arriving here.
On that note, when I was in Kensington I walked to find the James Melvin designed house that was used in Hogg's Exhibition. The house was used in the film like another character and implied as being like a child to the childless artist couple portrayed in the film. When selling the house, the character 'D' is anxious that the next occupants might demolish it. Subsequently, I was shocked to find that the Melvin house had recently been pulled down completely and the foundations laid for another building on the site.
I read that the house was designed by the architect in the 1960s for his family to live in. Exhibition is kind of about the preservation of the house for future use and to protect the vision of the architect. From what I had seen, it appeared to have an uplifting interior with a spiral staircase, hot pink sliding doors and lots of room for children to run around. The final scene of children playing in the house optimistically implies that the house is in good hands and will continue to carry meaning and memories for generations to come.
From watching the film, I got the impression that the house related to the street really cleverly with nice views through big windows looking out to the surrounding terraced rooftops and to a church spire in the nearby High Street. I was interested in seeing all of this for myself on my visit there. I think that new residential developments often fail at achieving the qualities seen in this house; lacking connection to the architect, neighbourhood and city and therefore disregarding the potential for creativity and dreaming within the viewer (occupant).
I presume that there are quite a few buildings of this era and style being pulled down across London right now as it rapidly modernises to meet the 21st century's shiny, sterile, commercialised needs. The inner boroughs are becoming more heavily built up, which is a real shame.
This article indicates that it has been at risk of being demolished for some time: https://c20society.org.uk/casework/set-piece-a-finely-refurbished-and-ingenious-house-is-at-risk/