James Wakefield

James has been photographing the urban environment since 1998 - originally focussing on street photography and urban decay. The Photography & Urban Cultures MA programme at Goldsmiths has allowed him to narrow his interests to social housing and Modernist architecture.

This work explores the imminent redevelopment of Balfron Tower in Poplar, East London. This Grade II listed building was constructed in the late 60s during a radical phase of urban redevelopment in Britain. Quickly falling out of favour in subsequent decades, the building has experienced somewhat of a revival but its imminent refurbishment by private developers is likely to take it out of the social housing realm so it can be be marketed to wealthy professionals, causing great controversy in the local area. James’ work explores the ‘rebranding’ that the building has undergone throughout its lifetime, and how the upcoming rebrand is representative of wider issues affecting social and private housing throughout the capital.