Influential Urban Thinker

Ralph Erskine

In the reading selection, Three Theories of Urban Spatial Design, from Roger Trancik’s book, Finding Lost Space, Ralph Erskine was mentioned as an influential place theorist and designer.  The description of Erskine’s emphasis on organic and vernacular design, the human and historical meaning of place, and his creation of village-like spaces was very interesting to me so I chose to research his urban contributions.

                                                           www.essential-architecture.com

Ralph Erskine was born in 1914 in Northumberland (England).  His parents were members of the Fabian Society - basically, a political socialist group who promoted a gradual change to a universal welfare state. He studied architecture and planning at Regent Street Polytechnic, worked for a time with Louis de Soisson at Welwyn Garden City, and then moved to Sweden in 1938.

Some major influences on Erskine’s views and design values include:

•   A Fabian socialist and Quaker upbringing
• ·The co-ownership and participatory housing ideals of the  English Garden City (but not the anti modern style)
•   The Stockholm Exhibition (1930) which showcased Swedish Modern and Functionalist Architecture as humane and practical
•   Disappointment with the abstract style and use of new materials by modern architecture in Britain without considering the needs of the users
•   Alvar Alto whose architecture was seen as progressive and humane modernism
•   His early practice in Sweden during the evolution of its social democratic welfare model and social housing program (Vall, 2013, 225-227)

In Sweden, Erskine:

found a wider belief more in accord with the early Functionalism of Central Europe, a faith which included the search for new, juster and more humane society as well as for satisfaction of the intimate daily needs of families and old people and small children…the new, fresh and inspiring architecture and industrial design of the golden age of ‘Swedish Modern’ was…rich with experience of a long history of form: a history of the practical and beautiful use of the simple materials of a poor country. (qted in Vall, 227)

Erskine felt that the Swedish Modernism use of less abstract vernacular forms without ‘nostalgia’ offered more possibilities, was an ‘architecture of democracy,’ and was instrumental in the development of his design principles (Vall, 225-226).   He said, “Don’t imitate forms from other cultures or times, but do imitate the enormous inventiveness with which they meet the needs of their situations and their time.” (Larkin, 1998,24)

Erskine’s architecture design values were a reflection of his political vision, considering architecture to be a social art.  He defined the meaning and purpose of architecture as ‘the art around that which is useful and to the enhancement of our environment’  and believed that buildings and communities should meet his criteria of serving individuals, groups of individuals and, not least, our society (Larkin). 

His urban village concept evolved through the above influences to include the following principles, forms, and ideals:

•  An integrated, socially balanced society

• · Social interaction encouraged with housing plans including space for recreation and meeting.  The emphasis on communal space could be a force in the production of good citizenship (social engineering).
•   Geometric layouts around a village green, low rise housing, small scale neighborliness (Garden City)
•   Separation of traffic from pedestrians (Radburn Principles)
•   The user is the most important client – community participation through formal and informal meetings and discussions and provide for tenant self-build projects.
•   Incorporate and include existing structures, account for climate, site, culture, and history of place (Vall).

                                          Byker Estate    www.urbanrealm.com

                                         On-site office (at Byker) to promote community participation
                                         www.architecturetoday.co.uk

                                          Greenwich Millennium Village   www.e-architect.co.uk

References

Larkin, C. (1998). Man of the people [Ralph Erskine]. Architects' Journal, 207(15), 24-25.

Trancik, R. (1986). Three Theories of Urban Spatial Design. Finding Lost Space. New York: Van Nostrand.

Vall, N. (2013). Social engineering and participation in Anglo-Swedish housing 1945-1976: Ralph Erskine's vernacular plan. Planning Perspectives: PP, 28(2), 223-245.