#concreteoptimism

[chronocollective-blog]

It's @tom_westbury here with the final image from my takeover. Here's Robin Hood Gardens, which according to English Heritage 'fails as a place for human beings to live' and is now earmarked for demolition, despite the attempts of several prominent architects and campaigners to save it. The argument, as with much postwar social housing, is between whether the architecture is flawed or the building is a simply a victim of poor maintenance and social problems... I hope you enjoyed this brief tour around some of Britain's concrete modernist buildings. If you want to see more from this series and work of other photographers of the urban environment, keep an eye out for Issue 3 of Chrono Collective. Cheers, Tom • • • • • #chrono #chronocollective #collective #magazine #documentary #documentryphotography #docphotos #indiepublishing #photography #photojournalism #instagramtakeover #takeover #tomwestbury #concreteoptimism #newtopographics #concrete #brutalism #robinhoodgardens

[chronocollective-blog]

The iconic Barbican complex in the City of London. One of the most well known examples of Brutalist architecture and a masterclass in what can be achieved in concrete. Although very heavily photographed, the scale and intricacy of the place means it's always possible to find a different view. Here's one of the three magnificent high rises which dominate the site. @tom_westbury for Chrono Collective. • • • • • #chrono #chronocollective #collective #magazine #documentary #documentryphotography #docphotos #indiepublishing #photography #photojournalism #instagramtakeover #takeover #tomwestbury #concreteoptimism #newtopographics #barbicanestate #brutalism #concrete

[chronocollective-blog]

The Brownfield Estate in Poplar, London includes the distinctive Balfron Tower and Carradale House, both designed by Erno Goldfinger. Balfron was originally intended as social housing in a time of modernist ideals. Now all the social tenants have been moved out, as the building is being refurbished to create homes that only relatively few will be able to afford. @tom_westbury for Chrono Collective. • • • • • #chrono #chronocollective #collective #magazine #documentary #documentryphotography #docphotos #indiepublishing #photography #photojournalism #instagramtakeover #takeover #tomwestbury #concreteoptimism #newtopographics #brutalism #concrete #balfrontower

[chronocollective-blog]

It's @tom_westbury here continuing my takeover and sharing some of my explorations of British concrete modernism. Here's the Alexandra Road estate in Camden - the Brutalist take on terraced housing. It's a curved valley of jagged concrete, designed as social housing and completed in 1978. Despite problems with heating and maintenance, it's still going strong today and is now Grade II listed. • • • • • #chrono #chronocollective #collective #magazine #documentary #documentryphotography #docphotos #indiepublishing #photography #photojournalism #instagramtakeover #takeover #tomwestbury #concreteoptimism #newtopographics #concrete #architecture #modernism

[chronocollective-blog]

Hello, @tom_westbury here taking the reins for the next few days. I'm a photographer based in the south of England, fascinated by the places and spaces we inhabit but often overlook. I'm going to share some work from an ongoing series on Brutalist buildings, which has the working title of 'Concrete Optimism'. First up, here's Wyndham Court in Southampton, completed in 1969 and supposed to evoke the cruise ships for which the town is famous. What are your thoughts on this expressive but uncompromising structure? • • • • • #chrono #chronocollective #collective #magazine #documentary #documentryphotography #docphotos #indiepublishing #photography #photojournalism #instagramtakeover #takeover #tomwestbury #concreteoptimism #newtopographics #urban #concrete #brutalism