“In the time of Evelyn land at Deptford was of but little value; and, being anxious to encourage shipbuilding, he gave land to Government at an annual rent of a peppercorn, on condition that there should always be a ship on the stocks; and during the twenty-six years it was closed, up to 1843, the letter, if not the spirit, of Evelyn’s will was carried out by the keel of a vessel being laid down, and left in No. 1 building slip. At the present time there is only one vessel left on the stocks; and if this should be launched without another vessel being laid down, it is said the greater part of the dockyard and its valuable storehouses would revert to the present descendent of Evelyn, who is a Frenchman residing abroad…”

I agree, it would be a huge shame if the rich history of the site was lost. An imaginative architect should be able to integrate it into a new development. Deconstruction is one of the best design theories (theoretical tools available in architecture) for exploring avenues to consider reinscribing and expressing memory and layers in design.

The following text discusses the use of deconstruction in legal theory, however, an architect would recognise its applicability to the built environment:

“Deconstruction’s emphasis on the proliferation of meanings is related to the deconstructive concept of iterability. Iterability is the capacity of signs (and texts) to be repeated in new situations and grafted onto new contexts. Derrida’s aphorism “iterability alters” (Derrida 1977) means that the insertion of texts into new contexts continually produces new meanings that are both partly different from and partly similar to previous understandings.
(Thus, there is a nested opposition between them.). The term “play” is sometimes used to describe the resulting instability in meaning produced by iterability.”
[Deconstruction J.M. Balkin Yale Law School 1995-6 ]

Here is the theoretical text which supports the deconstructivist design for Peter Eisenman’s ‘Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe’
[ http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/germans/memorial/eisenman.html ]

However they are probably aware of this local blog which is devoted to the Convoys redevelopment: http://www.deptfordis.org.uk/

There was also a very interesting article written about the site and its Naval history in the Evening Standard last week: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/lifestyle/article-24002458-battle-of-convoys-wharf.do

Do Hutchinson Whampoa, bptw and/or Aedas Architecture have a website where it is possible to comment on the redevelopment and to add links to dicussion forums?

Tom, yes. Makes it a little more difficult to discuss style when what is being identified is aesthetic trends, some of which may crystalise into a style and others which may remain as fleeting influences.

By considering the style groups I was wondering whether it might be possible to trace theoretical origins within the images? (ie, a greater pictureseque or gardensque influence?)

Agreed that broad style categories are perhaps the most useful place to start and with specific-as-possible definitions as you suggest.

Whether this could be part-restoration or an intelligent modern interpretation, Sayes Court garden could help to give the scheme a sense of place rooted in the site itself. As well as the garden, there are also the extraordinary landscape features of Henry VIII’s Naval Dockyard which made up the rest of the Convoys site: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f6bS5_kddIQ/TpF9WsRYPiI/AAAAAAAAAFw/f4fPQaMIW0E/s1600/DSCF3308.JPG

Together these ought to be informing the design from the beginning in order to create a true urban landscape, as opposed to the no-where land of “Dubai-on-Thames”.

http://www.sayescourtgarden.com

However, it would seem that a the current style of garden being favoured by contemporary garden, landscape and urban theoreticans is a more extreme form of the Pictureseque – perhaps ‘Naturalesque’ – might be an appropriate term.

As
1)garden style [ http://www.homeconceptdecoration.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/natural-pool-garden-design-in-bungalows-at-Singapore.jpg ] and [ http://www.gartenart-australia.com/FotoGallery/albums/Pool%20Conversion%20Kent,%20UK/Pool_Conversion_Kent_UK_2.jpg ],

2)landscape architecture [ http://been-seen.com/beenSeen/wp-content/uploads/iceland-10.jpg ] and [ http://www.basehouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Modern-House-Seaside-2.jpg ] and [ http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/621743913_kibel-23360-render-ext-pool-ppt-528x297.jpg ] and [ http://www.finalarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/natural-building-Daycare-Centre-perspective.jpg ].

3)urban design [ http://static.rbi.com.au/Uploads/PressReleases/infotoday/Images-20100511/lace2.jpg ] and [ http://thehouseunique.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Impressive-Natural-Scenery-Villa-Design-in-Bali.jpg ]

This design by West 8 is more gardensque/pituresque.
[ http://www10.aeccafe.com/blogs/arch-showcase/files/2011/07/3528.jpg ]

While ‘Eco-esque’ is a broader landscape architecture strategy. [ http://www.greendiary.com/entry/singapore-s-largest-garden-project-comprises-biomes-and-supertrees/ ] and [ http://img.ibtimes.com/www/data/images/full/2011/10/01/167271_masterplan-danubia-park-slovakia-528x396.jpg ]

Tom, please re-arrange if you think any are better suited in different styles.