Breeze block wall, Islington Crematorium, London
Photo: Tom Roberts
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Christine McMillan had asked me to photograph any breeze block walls I might have seen in London.
The significance of this, I am sure, will emerge in time.
4 Replies to “Breeze block walls”
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Dear Lisa
I once moved a breeze block building (pulled it apart and built it on another place. I can provide many photos of breeze block structures. Is Christine only interested in London structures?
My understanding of breeze block, is bessa brick or cinder-block i.e. building blocks made of reconstituted stuff. Maybe she is only interested in the ones with big holes…?
Best wishes
Simon
Dear Simon,
The blocks that are of interest to me are the ones with big holes. The place, could be anywhere. I wanted to find out if they were unique to Australia or a world wide trend of the 60’s. Any images you have would be great.
We had a BBQ area in the backyard in Sydney and I remember the excitement which accompanied the choice and purchase of the premade units which formed this important social area. The breeze blocks (with the holes) formed a feature wall at the back and their pattern was a constant background in family photographs of my brother and I and more recently in images of my children growing up.
The BBQ area and wall were pulled down in 2007.
Often when I mention these block walls people shudder, ‘those horrible things’. I have been taking images of them as I travel. I have been seeing if there is regional differences in the patterns used. I found a mould last year which I have been using for creating blocks made from grass seeds. I see the walls as being influenced by the carved stone Indian window screens and the claustrawork which Hassan Fathy used in reviving traditional domestic Egyptian mud brick architecture.
I love the fact that the Breeze Blocks in the photo have glass behind them. Well perhaps they weren’t conceived as an air way but more of a safe stolid masonry mash to that can hold a building up and let souls pass at the same time.
What a nice idea.