eMail from Jolyon Yates - son of Peter Yates

Dear Friends - I got the following email from Mr Yates after responding to a comment by him on this esteemed blog. I asked him about the photos and also told him Mensforth was to visit the exhibition "Reinvigorating the region" this weekend.

I cannot wait to get the pictures which will be immediately posted HERE!!!

The eMail:-

Dear El Patron

I just got back from the opening - it’s a great exhibition in a terrific building

.. It’s in George Stephenson’s workshop behind the Central Station - where the first steam locomotive was developed

You’ll be disappointed to hear however that there’s no pyramid.

What a terrific fascination though !

There was a molded pyramid in front of Norgas House in Killingworth.

I’ll try to dig out some shots of Kenton at the weekend for you - there’s one or two very good early shots

Peter was indeed my father - he put a lot of heart into Kenton - I know they did really wrestle with the project at times and for various reasons - For example, it was apparently a very difficult site because of flooding. This caused huge delays over a particularly wet build period.

As a boy, we’d visit Kenton - he was very proud of it. As you may know though, any social housing is very difficult for architects - they are routinely despised for their endeavours

PY was a keen student of Le Corbusier - who you’ll know about and believe it or not, Kenton is in the blood line of some very well regarded buildings.

I met a couple this evening who I’d like to put you in touch with - the guy grew up in Killingworth and is writing a book about growing up with architecture from this period. I will find his email address for you - perhaps it’s interesting for you !?

In the meantime - please see my blog (on www.odechair.com) which has some Ryder & Yates photos on it (including a pyramid !!)


With Kind Regards

Jolyon Yates



Jolyon Yates
MA(RCA)Lon
www.jolyonyates.com
www.odechair.com