Created 18-Sep-12
39 photos
Photographs of the Heygate Estate, Elephant & Castle, Walworth, Southwark, South London. Soon to be demolished, it is a stark view of urban decay. It was built in the 1970's and is a good example of post-war, neo-brutalist architecture. Designed by Tim Tinker, it had an optimistic beginning, but soon had a reputation for crime and violence.
It has featured in several feature films including "Attack The Block", "Harry Brown" (with Michael Caine), "Shank" and scenes in "Hereafter" by Clint Eastwood. It was also a regular location for TV police drama "The Bill".
I could see comparisons with other 1970's architecture in London, like the Barbican Centre, so it was a little sad that the place had dilapidated and had also failed it's residents. A strange beauty lies in its decay.
It has featured in several feature films including "Attack The Block", "Harry Brown" (with Michael Caine), "Shank" and scenes in "Hereafter" by Clint Eastwood. It was also a regular location for TV police drama "The Bill".
I could see comparisons with other 1970's architecture in London, like the Barbican Centre, so it was a little sad that the place had dilapidated and had also failed it's residents. A strange beauty lies in its decay.
© Simon Birch Artwork