Hello Deptford!

Ok, so this project first and foremost is part of my summer internship quota, but undoubtedly it'll run for far longer than the summer itself. 

So what's it all about? 

Well, behind the Birds Nest pub in Deptford as mapped out above is a rather unique piece of land on Creekside, situated 2 minutes from Deptford bridge DLR and a swift walk from Deptford high street, which is going be renovated and turned into a workable space. Creekside itself is home to a plethora of creative entities (Cockpit Arts-studios/spaces, Trinity Laban, Apt gallery, the Faircharm trading estate and the Creekside centre amongst many more) alongside Deptford Creek itself where one can walk during low tide if one so wishes. The area seamlessly fuses industrial, creative and natural elements to make manifest a rather attractive and unique area particularly with the gorgeous red brick spanning arches towards the streets end which as a combination, reassures one that potential does exist for the development for the space itself. One does have ticking in the back of ones mind whether therefore if the area contains an already thriving hive does one need to implement another? I personally, knowing the area relatively well, feel that it is far from creatively saturated and feel another entity may contribute to its further flourishing, obviously further research will have to be undertaken to reassure and solidify certainty. 

So, that is the gist of things, I am going to be working alongside, with others undoubtedly, John Cierach to transform this land into a new, mixed use space with the intention of further heightening Deptford's creative profile.

16/04/09- Viewing the site 

Cycled down from Forest Hill  to meet with the landlord for the first time, John Cierach,  a practicing sculptor, to discuss his developments and intentions for the space over the course of the afternoon, which turned out to be rather soggy. We toured the space and discussed what progress had been made. Over numerous coffees at the Deptford project (a lovely converted tube carriage cafe on the high street) he showed me his model/drawings and explained his plans to use a number of shipping containers which come in 3 sizes, for the main building blocks of the site which could potentially be used for a number of purposes, studio space, performance space etc... one exciting other unique feature of the space is that it comes complete with own double decker bus, it's not 1950's Routemaster but it does have its own charm.

(I just want to say now that the size of this project in terms of research, design development, implementation, planning, financing is something quite daunting for someone in my current position but I intend to grab it my the horns and straddle)

The space itself: I had a jaunt round during the damp afternoon to familarise myself and was quite humored and taken aback. As I entered through the steel gates to the space I was surpassed by a rather large, grubby, European man who had seemingly arrived despite the steady drizzle to collect his equally grubby ice-cream van for a day of 99 dispensary, quite a sight. An array of cars line the street facing wall and the main area sports a small mechanic firm alongside a scafflolding firm also operate from the area. Looking directly above the DLR bridge flows dominantly with its large bold, concrete supporting pillars protruding from the ground which fades off towards Canary Wharf in the distance, whilst the Creekside river sits directly adjacent housing numerous house boats which squelch mightily into the sludgy green bed as the tide is out, each adorned with arrays of flourishing pot plants. Decrepit ice-cream vans, broken old furniture, and a scattering of broken, flat tired bicycles adorn the space it self alongside various industrial waste, steel girders, rusting machinery and the like. All these features amalgamate and form a rather appealing aesthetic. 

The space it quite sizable but not without its restrictions from the EA (Environmental agency) and the transport authorities in relation to distance and height proximities to the bridge. 

more photos at 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelwafflesdesign/