It was great to have original Park Hill architect Ivor Smith in Sheffield for an after party and talk around the 2011 RIBA Stirling Prize Awards.
Ivor’s said some great things about Park Hill, one of my favourites being: “Park Hill has not just been repaired ,its been reinvented, Its wonderful.”
I asked about the difference between today and when he was working, he explained it was confidence. Back then we were coming out the war the space race was on. People thought science and progress could solve all society’s problems, architecture was there to improve peoples’ lives and things could only get better.
This contrasts rather sadly with today’s anxiety, gloom and fear of a double dip depression. Let’s hope the reinvention of Park Hill is a sign things can only get better.
Ivor certainly seemed to enjoy the party and his talk at the ‘Morning After Parkie’ - you can see pictures of both here.
Great to see a picture of Ivor. He was my Professor of Architecture at Edinburgh College of Art 25 years ago. He taught me more about architecture than anyone else. Great to see Park Hill being re-invented and that Ivor gives his approval.