The Architects’ Journal Architecture News & Buildings
I always I remember the first time I saw Trellick Tower by Ernő Goldfinger, as I drove through west London to visit my aunt. I can’t have been much more than six years old and I remember asking my father what it was. I was disappointed when I learned that the building was not a space ship.
Even at that young age I felt like the building was distinct compared to its surrounding, as if someone had placed it there and – much like the first time I saw the Great Pyramids of Giza as I drove through downtown Cairo – something about the building captured my imagination.
Unmistakeability is the supreme feat
of great architecture
Trellick Tower became a recurring feature in my life as I grew up. Its position, proudly rising from its surroundings, offers plentiful and unique aspects. It can be viewed from many different parts of London and with each vantage the building reveals something new.
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Coming back from the Notting Hill Carnival late one night I was reminded of why I thought the plant tower was a space ship as a young boy. Flying back into London from Rome I marveled at its Brutalist style from the air. I think what I love most about the building is that it is unmistakable, no matter what aspect you see it from, you know it is Trellick Tower – and for me that is the supreme feat of great architecture.
What am I working on
I was part way through filming a new property show for Channel 4 set in Italy when Covid-19 arrived. Obviously we were not able to continue filming but I’ve seen a few clips and the show looks great. I’m also working behind the scenes with Kevin McCloud and the team at Grand Designs Live, curating the content for the next set of live shows which will be in 2021. I have just finished presenting Grand Designs Live from Home which was an Instagram Live show over 16 episodes.
I am chief operating officer at Melt Property and we have several really exciting developments on site, including Lime Grove, Gloucester which is a beautiful development of townhouses and apartments designed by architects Tate Harmer. We also have a site near Oval in London which could potentially be one of the most sustainable mixed-use schemes in Europe.
As a non-executive director at London-based architects, Studio Anyo, we are working on a variety of really exciting new products; InFrame Space is a MMC (Modern Methods of Construction) extension and garden room provider. We have launched a specialist consultancy dealing with MMC and Modular consultancy called AnyOffsite and are working with Project Etopia.
The main Studio Anyo practice has just received planning for Orford Mews which is set to be the UK's first carbon positive residential development delivered with zero construction waste.
About Kunle
Kunle is a construction professional, writer and broadcaster who has worked in the industry for 20 years. He has delivered TV projects for Alan Titchmarsh and Sarah Beeny, as well as co-presenting. Kunle speaks on various construction and building topics at Grand Designs Live: UK Construction Week alongside Kevin McCloud and is part of the expert line up for Ideal Home Show with Charlie Luxton and Phil Spencer. Kunle writes a regular construction and building Q&A column for Grand Designs Magazine. You can follow Kunle on twitter and instagram and learn more about his work at his website www.kunlebarker.com