A documentary about the Rowley Way Estate [Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate] in North London featuring the architect and residents. Made by residents of the estate with digital:works.
Grew up living here between 1983-89 then mum moved us to Brighton. My dad still lives here to this day. Really does need a good power hosing and a lick of paint these days but remember it fondly
I spent a good part of my childhood in rowley way before I moved to the states..... Riding my BMX up and down the estate trying not to kill myself or others who happened to be walking by...... This is a great short film it brings back a lot of great memories for me.... For the people who are living there I have this to say.... Rowley way is more than an estate it is a community and it bothers me that the estate look exactly the same as it did when I left it in 1989..... It's time for a group of serious investors to come in and give this place the face lift that it deserves so that this unique piece of architecture can stand the test of time for generations to come...... I love you sis you look as beautiful as ever.....xoxoxoxoxoxoxo mum would be proud
Hey! I am a student architecture in Antwerp, Belgium. I make a paper about this project and I wonder if we can get in touch. I am looking for inside information, your opinion about the architecture, the atmosphere, some pictures and stories about the neighborhood. Hopefully you will read this on time and are you willing to contact me. Thanks in advance! Mira
I always used to see the back of this building going past on the train and thought it looked really scary. I didn't realise it was flats until I saw it on a tv program and recognised the shape of the building from the front. I like what people have done with all the plants and decorations, it looks quite nice from the inside. But from the back it looks really threatening the way it hangs out over the tracks, like a huge concrete prison or something!
The place needs a GOOD clean... But it's an amazing estate, especially for someone like me who LOVES Brutalism... I was there a couple of days ago... I hope I get to go there often.
It is not brutalism that cause the misery it's the people. Privatly owned property that is brutalist has no misery at all nore does the National Theatre which is brutalist.
sorry to be so offtopic but does anyone know of a trick to log back into an instagram account..? I stupidly lost the password. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer me!
Hey! I am a student architecture in Antwerp, Belgium. I make a paper about this project and I wonder if we can get in touch. I am looking for inside information, your opinion about the architecture, the atmosphere, some pictures and stories about the neighborhood. Hopefully you will read this on time and are you willing to contact me. Thanks in advance! Mira Minder weergeven
Isn’t architecture about perception? I like the variety of POV’s which illustrate the inner psyche of the various people ... their attitudes. Some liken it to holiday flats, others to their nightmares. Personally, it remains my most favourite housing estate in London ... I used to shop & pass through it often as a short cut ... as a Canadian-Brit never had the ingrained negativity prejudice about “new” modernism ... being raised in Canada, such architecture embraced optimism visions of the future.
Thanks for sharing this I've seen this location used in many TV programmes and always been curious as to where it was and thought it looked interesting and great. 👍
Has to be one of the most famous council estates Spooks etc etc etc. It is interesting the amount of people who love it as places I have lived have been functional within 4 miles of work etc. I have never loved a place like some of these people do.
Saw some like this on one of the original planet of the apes films the other night, it's the most violent of all five, original was heavily cut but you can get the extended more violent version too now, I remember both the architecture and the violence having an impression on me, when I was a child.
Wonderful video! So much so, one forgets the historical crimes of England and their offspring with aboriginals in USA, Australia, New Zealand,Africa and the Caribbean. Yet, is not your fault. Thanks.
The only difference between the ''playing in the street'' then, and now is ...when you look up in the sky, you see funny ''clouds'' that crisscross. 27:23
Compared to some of the brutalist architecture from that era this is by far the most appealing. Trellick Tower ... yuck! I don't know if it is still there as its been a while since I have been home. Sad that so many of these buildings were neglected and had to be torn down. Or left standing for people to live in under horrible conditions. Great memories.
I still don't know if I love it or hate it. I find concrete very depressing but it's an interesting place to look at - that shot in the intro at 0:28 is amazing.
At the internal walkway no trees and being detached from the ground plane is a weakness is it not ? Are people owners or is it rental property ? Seems like some mixed use components are needed.
I like it. including the color. Why most of the times this kind of buildings failed... well is a society problem and the fact that the smaller/cheaper units don't have elevators... well just prove the mentality of the time. if you are poor ....jog off...
It needs a good clean, some *more green* (mature 🌳🌲’s) & a bit more caffeine (coffee shops & bistros dotted about). It’s all in the diversity of programming.
I thought the one guy was grumpy (maybe just serious and thoughtful) but then he said about his neighbours playing Spanish music, I thought he was going to moan about it but what he said changed my mind about him, maybe because I would have thought the same and am a musician.
![One Below the Queen [short version]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vIXHj9dLvFc/mqdefault.jpg)
![One Below the Queen [short version]](/img/tr.png)
The fact that every unit has a good balcony and a whole wall of natural light makes it very pleasant.
When I visited Alexandra Road (Rowley Way) my tour guide was none other than Alexandra Road's architect Neave Brown. Just him and me.
Grew up living here between 1983-89 then mum moved us to Brighton. My dad still lives here to this day. Really does need a good power hosing and a lick of paint these days but remember it fondly
I lived somewhere similar as a kid, it was fantastic fun, very sociable.
I spent a good part of my childhood in rowley way before I moved to the states..... Riding my BMX up and down the estate trying not to kill myself or others who happened to be walking by...... This is a great short film it brings back a lot of great memories for me.... For the people who are living there I have this to say.... Rowley way is more than an estate it is a community and it bothers me that the estate look exactly the same as it did when I left it in 1989..... It's time for a group of serious investors to come in and give this place the face lift that it deserves so that this unique piece of architecture can stand the test of time for generations to come...... I love you sis you look as beautiful as ever.....xoxoxoxoxoxoxo mum would be proud
Hey! I am a student architecture in Antwerp, Belgium. I make a paper about this project and I wonder if we can get in touch. I am looking for inside information, your opinion about the architecture, the atmosphere, some pictures and stories about the neighborhood. Hopefully you will read this on time and are you willing to contact me.
Thanks in advance! Mira
Investors? Aren’t they owned by the residents now ?
I love this estate , I’d move here in a heartbeat
I always used to see the back of this building going past on the train and thought it looked really scary.
I didn't realise it was flats until I saw it on a tv program and recognised the shape of the building from the front.
I like what people have done with all the plants and decorations, it looks quite nice from the inside. But from the back it looks really threatening the way it hangs out over the tracks, like a huge concrete prison or something!
My dad lived in crystal palace, on the central hill estate. Identical to this.
The place needs a GOOD clean... But it's an amazing estate, especially for someone like me who LOVES Brutalism... I was there a couple of days ago... I hope I get to go there often.
Brutalist is responsible for so much misery and crime yet you love it?
Penny Awful how so? Genuinely curious
It is not brutalism that cause the misery it's the people. Privatly owned property that is brutalist has no misery at all nore does the National Theatre which is brutalist.
sorry to be so offtopic but does anyone know of a trick to log back into an instagram account..?
I stupidly lost the password. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer me!
@Franklin Peter instablaster ;)
Love the early morning bird call at the start!!
OMGOMGOMG memories......I lived there from 1993-1994
Hey! I am a student architecture in Antwerp, Belgium. I make a paper about this project and I wonder if we can get in touch. I am looking for inside information, your opinion about the architecture, the atmosphere, some pictures and stories about the neighborhood. Hopefully you will read this on time and are you willing to contact me.
Thanks in advance! Mira
Minder weergeven
I was there once only in 1985 visiting friends.
Hell I remember that being built! As someone else said it would be good to see it cleaned but otherwise I think it still looks great 👍🌹🙏💖💫
Me too 🇬🇧
Isn’t architecture about perception? I like the variety of POV’s which illustrate the inner psyche of the various people ... their attitudes. Some liken it to holiday flats, others to their nightmares. Personally, it remains my most favourite housing estate in London ... I used to shop & pass through it often as a short cut ... as a Canadian-Brit never had the ingrained negativity prejudice about “new” modernism ... being raised in Canada, such architecture embraced optimism visions of the future.
Beautiful comment
25:41 into this video made me laugh so much as wasn't expecting that line from that gentleman! Priceless! lol . Regards.
What a great film, what wonderful folks, looks like a great place to live
What a great documentary!!
Thanks for sharing this I've seen this location used in many TV programmes and always been curious as to where it was and thought it looked interesting and great. 👍
I have spent hours looking at and learning about James Sterlings Florey building, part of his red trillogy, this made me think of it.
Amazing work.
Loved this
What a great video, i was brought here by a blog entry by John Grindrod, author of Concretopia. A really great book i might add.
Very cool!
It is amazing.
They do a lot of TV filming there. Luther and The Bodyguard of late.
The bodyguard wasn't Rowley way, it was Highgate.
Has to be one of the most famous council estates Spooks etc etc etc. It is interesting the amount of people who love it as places I have lived have been functional within 4 miles of work etc. I have never loved a place like some of these people do.
The balconies are the best part of the estate
“It’s alright, apart from the dog shit” 🤣👌🏽
Stayed there once in 1991 it was so hot but the heating is communal and you can’t turn it off.
Omg just saw the picture and thought it can't be. I use to live in Archway use to drive pass it often there was something about it 🇬🇧
Saw some like this on one of the original planet of the apes films the other night, it's the most violent of all five, original was heavily cut but you can get the extended more violent version too now, I remember both the architecture and the violence having an impression on me, when I was a child.
Wonderful video! So much so, one forgets
the historical crimes of England and their offspring with aboriginals in USA, Australia, New Zealand,Africa and the Caribbean.
Yet, is not your fault. Thanks.
Featured as a filming location in the BBC's Little Drummer Girl
And a few scenes from London Spy.
The only difference between the ''playing in the street'' then, and now is ...when you look up in the sky, you see funny ''clouds'' that crisscross. 27:23
Looks great,quite unique. Where's the maintenance !!!
Compared to some of the brutalist architecture from that era this is by far the most appealing. Trellick Tower ... yuck! I don't know if it is still there as its been a while since I have been home. Sad that so many of these buildings were neglected and had to be torn down. Or left standing for people to live in under horrible conditions. Great memories.
Seems funny, no-one said anything about birds shitting on those large balconies. So unusual.
This proves that not all concrete is poured equal, and not all Council housing is the same.
I recognise Doreen P girl your looking good if u ever see my comment let me know Rose B 🇬🇧
I still don't know if I love it or hate it. I find concrete very depressing but it's an interesting place to look at - that shot in the intro at 0:28 is amazing.
The people who live there clearly love it, so why don't you visit and test your preconceived prejudices?
@@deepindercheema4917 It's not prejudice - I just hate concrete.
@@kittikoko Then why don't you test your hatred.
At the internal walkway no trees and being detached from the ground plane is a weakness is it not ? Are people owners or is it rental property ? Seems like some mixed use components are needed.
Now I have watch ever show and film that feature this building, lol, anyone got a list, I must google it..
I leaved there from 86-88
Pdeps X Your are lucky , why move ? I’d love a flat there x
It looks very similar to the Brunswick centre
If anyone on this estate wants to do a flat swap for a large 2 bed 1st floor council flat in Havering don’t hesitate to reply…
24:46 is that Geoff Marshall?!
I like it. including the color. Why most of the times this kind of buildings failed... well is a society problem and the fact that the smaller/cheaper units don't have elevators... well just prove the mentality of the time. if you are poor ....jog off...
Used to be a tattoo artist called mark shane in there and all there that the QPR hooligans would go to back in the day, early 80s.
It needs a good clean, some *more green* (mature 🌳🌲’s) & a bit more caffeine (coffee shops & bistros dotted about).
It’s all in the diversity of programming.
I thought the one guy was grumpy (maybe just serious and thoughtful) but then he said about his neighbours playing Spanish music, I thought he was going to moan about it but what he said changed my mind about him, maybe because I would have thought the same and am a musician.
Does the postman Norman still live there? Lost touch with him..
Can anyone identify the music at 16:28? Thanks
All the music was specially written and performed by Huck Whitney, a resident on the estate.
300k will set you back one ot these...the whole place needs a good pressure washing
Dollarhyde 300k 😱I thought it was council ??
It'll crumble
2:09 Ooh it is a most unique and progressive building even though the architecture is rather questionable.
2:22 Yeah ah fackin love livin ere innit!!
Mr Magoo designed it
Why is it called one below the queen?
It's a Grade II* listed building, and as someone in the film says: That's One Below the Queen - meaning the Royal Palaces are Grade I
@@digitalworks51 Thanks. Makes sense now.
I’m guessing they’re very nice inside and love the outside space on the balcony terrace but all that concrete? NO
GHOST ANT CITY ... .. . . . . . ... ... . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .... .. . .. . . .
Cover the damn concrete with something! Could be some simple wood (not fully covered of course, spaces in between boards)
"it's alright apart from the dog shit" - 25:42
Good grief .......... how on earth can anyone complain about this housing.....look at the rest of the world problems people!,
It don't look too bad. I've seen far worse.
SMH
this area looks like a monstrosity realy truly awful on the eye