Byker – The Redevelopment Years

Personal reflections by Per Hederus and Arne Nilsson – members of the team of architects who designed the Byker Estate.

The Byker redevelopment (1969–83) has long been recognised as significant in the international community architecture movement and is one of the most important social housing developments in British post-war history. In this talk, Per Hederus and Arne Nilsson reflect on their experience of working for Byker’s architect Ralph Erskine and share their memories of living in Byker in the early years of the redevelopment.

This talk is a collaboration with Northern Cultural Projects and is part of a series of events to celebrate the opening of the Byker Community Archive

The Byker Community Archive is based on the estate and is resident-led. It documents and shares the history of Byker’s buildings and landscapes and, importantly, the lived experiences of its people, past and present. It is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Karbon Homes.