A little off the beaten path... Brick Lane.

We read Brick Lane by Monica Ali, so it seems justly appropriate that we go see where the book takes place.



The area has been known for its textile trade.



So interesting to see the old and the new.

Facadism - keeping the outermost layer of the building historical (its original front facade) but building new behind. This might be the least subtle example of facadism ever. (I don't think they'll notice that we built the new building 4 feet behind the old facade?)


And while immersed in old architecture anywhere in London, turn around and you'll see something screaming 21st century.


One of the most interesting buildings in the area was the Brick Lane mosque...


Here's the history (I've just copied and pasted from their website):

The Brick Lane Jamme Mosjid

Historic Background • 1743 Built as a French Protestant Church. • 1819 Methodist Chapel. • 1898 Spitalfields Great Synagogue. • 1976 The Brick Lane Jamme Masjid. “The building that houses the Jamme Masjid, as has often been remarked, represents the history of successive communities of immigrants into London; from this point of view it may be called one of the most remarkable and evocative buildings in the area and one of London’s architectural and historic treasures” Inwood 1998, 869 & Nairn 1966, 168.

http://bricklanemosque.com/