For a little while I have been looking at, photographing and drawing a number of estates around London which were built in an attempt to fulfil a utopian philosophy.

The estates are now in a state. Many of the buildings are empty with just a handful of families occupying huge tower blocks.

When I visited the estates I could see where attempts to rejuvenate the spaces, both by the local authority, community groups and individual residents had taken place. There were sign of colours and leftovers from community activities. Some blocks had been partially painted or covered with brightly coloured veneers. Individuals had clearly defined their own space within the estate with bars and fences which they then filled with flowers, plants and other items which made the space "their own". My favorite is still the shed on the 3rd floor balcony.

I think this is stage one of this project. For stage two I would like to visit and explore communities that have been created with a similar philosophy in mind but instead of being built by local authorities they have manifested directly out of the desires of the people and communities that would occupy them.