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Byker - The Divergence Between Architectural Intention and Lived Experience; The Effects of Design and Society

Part 2 Dissertation 2009
Laura Hughes
 Newcastle University | UK
Proposals for the Byker estate began in the late 1960s when the architect Ralph Erskine and his design team were appointed by Newcastle City Council. Much was praised and publicised in the methods utilised for participation and forward allocation of existing residents, and the design itself aimed to create a ‘village scale’ environment for the Byker people. Now, forty years on, what remains of Byker? How has the original design fared; physically and in the opinion of local residents? What impact has a changing society had on the estate? This dissertation will investigate the divergence between architectural intention and lived experience in the case of the Byker estate.

The analysis is split into two parts; design issues and social change, and is assessed in terms of the housing, external spaces and community facilities. Extensive primary research was conducted including; interviews with local residents, community activists and designers to give an up-to-date picture of the estate. This data was contrasted with information published in the 70s and 80s.

The design decisions made by Erskine are having repercussions on the perceptions of residents. Interconnected pathways and small private courtyards created to aid accessibility and interaction are now overgrown reducing surveillance and providing secluded areas for anti-social behaviour. Additional security measures have been implemented to minimise these fears across the estate. The poor maintenance programme that existed until recently has led to serious deterioration, causing a lack of pride and respect for the area. In addition, changes in policy from national to local scale have impacted on the finance available to Byker, and local unemployment is high.

Conclusions from the study address the dynamic process of inhabitation and the place of Byker in today’s society. Byker has recently received Grade 2* listing and whilst this will not guarantee its future indefinitely it will mean more money is available for maintenance to be carried out in the original spirit of the estate. This may go some way to resolve the concerns of local residents and improve the perceived reputation of the estate across the city, re-addressing the balance between design and quality of life.

Laura Hughes

Erskine’s Byker estate has become an iconic project in the history of post-war social housing and architecture. When most designers were imposing cheap, ill-considered copies of key modernist designs, Erskine experimented with a radically new approach. He moved his office into the soon-to-be-demolished working class area and engaged with local residents. Endless articles and books have been written and many claims made both for the visual exuberance of his bright, Scandinavian-inspired design and the effectiveness of his social engineering.

Forty years on since its inception it seems appropriate to test the multiple claims made for Byker and to assess its appropriateness for current circumstances. This dissertation focuses on how design intentions have played out through time and how the design has responded to changing social conditions and rising resident expectations.

The great strength of this study is that it is grounded in a firm theoretical base complemented by a strong personal engagement with the area. Living close by enabled the student to spend considerable amounts of time over a long period talking with residents, attending community meetings, working with community groups and interviewing several of those involved in the original design process. In addition the many writings on Byker published over a 40 year period were examined in detail. This led to the accumulation of a rich data base on which to construct a well balanced evaluation of a complex place.

What started out as an academic undertaking has led to a strong community conscious ethos in design and a continued involvement with Byker and its stakeholders through planned workshops and events.

Tutor(s)
Dr Peter Kellett
2009
The Byker Wall; Fenestration and activity on the south side [left] in comparison to the north side [right] of the Wall. Open walkways, balconies, and numerous windows for living spaces penetrate the south facade, whilst the north contains a small number o
Maps of Byker showing the vast change in spatial layout introduced by Erskine [top – before, below – after].
Variety of housing beyond the Wall across the site; a number of cladding techniques and colours were employed to add variety to the 81 hectare site.
Examples of overgrown foliage contributing to reduced surveillance and creating security fears among the elderly.
Add-on security measures in and around the dwellings within the Wall over the last ten years [left to right] key pad entrance doors, lobbies, intercoms, access maps and additional signage.
The planting boxes indicate the varying levels of ownership and pride residents are taking in their homes, from a complete lack of life to almost taking over the walkway. At the time of design; “the plant boxes were half planted by us to encourage the peo
Existing fencing and gates to match [left]; “Byker’s got a whole series of repetitive design elements to it so it was vertical timber strip; broad, narrow, broad, narrow, panels that were used... that then doesn’t look so much externally as a barrier ‘pri
Common situation across the site periphery; boundaries clearly defined and strengthened by height difference. Resident has surveillance opportunity, pedestrian can claim the intermediate space, and outsiders do not directly encroach.
Threshold situation where dwellings open directly onto streets. Boundaries of public and private not clear, anti-social behaviour may occur beneath canopy.
Two most common spatial setting types. Top: island layout, gardens all face same direction rather than backing onto each other. Middle: typical sketch section. Bottom: stepped layout, where gardens face same direction again. This goes against Coleman’s th
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