I went to the shop to buy a new moleskin notebook. They were all wrapped in celophane. I could see the ribbon coming out from the centre, folded neatly under the closed pages. The elastic tight against the hard covers - never been stretched. I bought it. Took it home. Opened it. Ruffled its pages. Noticed it was an alphabetised address book. Couldn't be bothered to take it back, so decided to make use of the alphabet and write an A-Z of London instead. It may take me some time. And the entries may not be proper essays!
A is for ARCHITECTURE
I sometimes feel my affinity with London happens because it keeps my chaotic brain interested. The clash of architectural styles, eras, colours, materials, shapes and sizes reminds us of the nature of an evolving city. Things that were prominent at one time, sink into the background when something new is built. Thats what I love about London's architecture. Its eclectic, historic, spontaneous. Almost unplanned (seemingly). New stuff reflects the old stuff in its walls. Mimickry of older styles. Adornment that is so high up only the neighbours will notice it. Towers and low rise. The painfully modern and trendy. Monstrosities from the 60s and 70s. Contemporary identikit office blocks built of green glass (desitined to be the hated monstrosities of a decade hence). Naturally not all of it is good, indeed many would say most of it isn't. But it does make for an interesting skyline. So I applaud the good, the bad and the ugly.
Architecutre in London (Wikipedia)
Architecture of London, England
Aidan O'Rourke, photos of modern buildings in London
Medieval architecture in London
Residential architecture in London (Wikipedia)
2006: Airspace - panoramas - possible future development in London - what do you want the skyline to look like.
Greater London Assembly architecture pages
What's your A?
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