Whilst researching this project, we noticed that much of the archive held in collections focussed on the design of Span homes, rather than the residents experience of living in span homes.

Chocolate Films Workshops and our volunteers set out to add a human narrative to the history of Span housing, by collecting oral histories, as well as holding collection days at each of the estates to find family photographs and items that told the story of the communities establishing themselves and how Lyon’s ideals have been lived out.

CLIVE BOURSNELL B.E.M PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT SERIES

Clive Boursnell B.E.M visited residents of Span homes at Cator Estate, Mallard Place and Parkleys to create an intimate series of portraits in these iconic homes.

There are more items to research in the RIBA archives.

Archive Collection Cator Estate

Residents have kindly donated an archive of the development of Span homes in Blackheath from the 1950s to now. Featured, is an archive  from residents to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Corner Green with images and items ranging from the original sales catalogue photographs to private family collections from 1954 onwards. A small collection of scanned documents and polaroid images dating from the 1960s.

With thanks to Rosie Hewson, Kate Sabapathy, Jane Shakespeare, Louise Farrow, Harri Smith and the Memory Project. 

There are more items to research in the RIBA archives.

Archive Collection Mallard Place

Residents have kindly donated images of Mallard Place in its early years during the 1980s through snow, summer parties, 2012 Olympic celebrations and royal boat events.

With thanks to Antonia Burt, Chris Marsay, Ian and Sally McGraw, Nigel Hadley, Pam and Richard Marum and Sue Lloyd. 

There are more items to research in the RIBA archives.

Archive Collection Parkleys

Residents have kindly donated a broad collection that shows daily life at Parkleys. Images of the infamous storm in 1987 sit alongside digitised slides from Parkleys across the years since the 1950s, and through the seasons, with special attention to the Span landscaping, and newspaper clippings. 

With thanks to Sonja Butcher, Nigel and Justine Bailey, Mary Seager, Joyce Etter, Dorothy Caygill, Barbara and Tony Morris and Anna Fydora Marks. 

There are more items to research in the RIBA archives.

BE PART OF THE COLLECTION

We have now moved our archive to the Royal Institute of British Architects.

To bank further digital or physical items, you can contact the archive:info@riba.org

You can search for the collection online here:www.architecture.com/image-library/library-catalogue.html