Poundbury: Architectural shame with a worthy aim  © Andy Spain
On holiday in Dorset last month, I happened to drive past
Poundbury in Dorset, . Poundbury is ’s attempt to create his
architectural and planning masterpiece next to Dorchester. I
used the excuse of being up with my new baby at 7am to go and
take some photos of it to show you here.  What can I say, it’s
not great (I’ve changed that sentence so many times to try and
balance the architectural lack of ambition versus the worthy
aims of such a project). It’s a mish mash of styles from
different centuries, all added together. It’s a toy town, a
museum of a mythical past. There is no soul, no heart, a perfect
example of the need for difference, for organic spaces created
over time.  © Andy Spain  Constructed squares and public spaces
lay empty, devoid of the community spirit that was planned.
Residents live in quaint chocolate box ideas of beauty but
nothing to do with design and need. Cars are hidden away, gravel
paths replace tarmac. I was waiting to