From Demolition to Exhibition: "Brutalism as Found" and Robin Hood Gardens
- Anthony Youssef
- Jun 8, 2023
- 3 min read
I recently spoke with Nick Thoburn and Kois Miah about Robin Hood Gardens, its relationship with photography, and broader issues of social housing. Nick, a professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester, collaborated with Kois, a photographer based in East London, on an online exhibition titled "Brutalism as Found." This image and text-based exhibition chronicles the lived experience and architecture of Robin Hood Gardens in the years leading up to its demolition. Our conversation highlighted the profound impact of social housing issues and the importance of inclusive narratives in architectural discourse. As we explored the exhibition's themes and the power of photography, parallels between the estate's story and the wider crisis of public housing became evident.
Innovation, Admiration and Criticism
Designed by Alison and Peter Smithson and completed in 1972, Robin Hood Gardens garnered both admiration and criticism for its innovative Brutalist architecture. The estate consisted of two parallel concrete blocks centred around a courtyard and connected by elevated walkways known as "streets in the sky." Over the years, the estate faced typical challenges of social housing, such as under-investment, maintenance problems, and social issues. Through their work, Nick and Kois aimed to centre the estate's lived experiences and radicalise the project's formal architectural qualities for the present day. Their collaboration resulted in a series of projects, including talks and physical exhibitions, which drew attention to the critical issues surrounding the demolition of council housing in London. They fostered a sense of community, activism, and knowledge sharing.
Exhibiting Sociology and Photography
The online exhibition merges the disciplines of sociology and photography to offer an alternative reading of Brutalism and the Smithsons' work. While physical exhibitions have their limitations, the online platform provides an expanded storytelling space. The exhibition features a comprehensive collection of images that capture the breadth of the photography project. With over 140 text-accompanied photographs, the online exhibition offers an immersive experience that surpasses the constraints of a physical exhibition. It provides a lasting record of the estate, preserving its critical history for future generations. The exhibition is organised into sections, each exploring different aspects of Robin Hood Gardens. These sections challenge conventional interpretations of Brutalism, focusing on the amalgamation of forms rather than merely the texture of concrete. The aim is to emphasise the varied effects and lived experiences generated by these architectural elements over time.
A Photographic Legacy
The estate has a longstanding relationship with photography. Sandra Lousada captured its multiracial working-class community in the 1970s. For Nick, Sandra and Kois' work bookend the estate's life, with Sandra capturing it close to its opening and Kois near its demolition. Together, Lousada and Miah's photography forms a compelling visual narrative of Robin Hood Gardens, centring the estate's lived experiences. Their fascination with portraiture and the relationship between photographer and sitter parallel the Smithsons' exploration of the residents' more normative conditions. Through their photographs, they contribute to a broader understanding of social housing, fostering empathy and encouraging critical dialogue about the preservation and improvement of such spaces.
Today, cities worldwide face significant challenges in providing safe and adequate housing. While solutions often focus on land acquisition, usage, and constructability, the lived experience of residents is rarely at the heart of this discourse. By focusing on the residents' lived experiences at Rovbin Hood Gardens, "Brutalism as Found" recognises the integral role of communities in shaping and defining the success of social housing. It highlights the need to involve and consult residents in decision-making processes, challenging the dominant discourse that often prioritises architectural merit alone. Through the intimate portrayal of residents' portraits and narratives, the exhibition humanises the debate, reminding viewers of the real people affected by social housing policies.
This article is based on an episode of “Talking Architecture”, a podcast on architecture, buildings and the stories they tell. You can listen to the full episode in the player below. You can view the exhibition at www.brutalismasfound.co.uk.
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