Future

Caspar Norman

Caspar and his father Torquil Norman bought The Roundhouse as members
of a private trust about six years ago and have great plans for the
place. Caspar is a very mild mannered young man despite having the
stature of a rugby player and, although a little shy, he is very
eloquent. I met him in the basement of The Roundhouse among an
exhibition of life-sized nudes cast in bronze and marble. Having lived
in Camden all his life, he has a lively knowledge of the place and has
a real affection for, and commitment to the community.

The thing that's really struck me about The Roundhouse is how people
respond to it. I've never seen or heard of a building with such an
emotional attachment for people. Some of the people I've spoken to over
the last five years tell me how important it was to them during their
formative years. Perhaps it was the first time they took drugs or had
sex, or whatever. It played a very memorial part, artistically and
personally, for a great number of people. I've always felt very jealous
that I wasn't around to see some of the performances but I'm making up
for that by seeing the things it's doing now.

At the moment what we're trying to do is nothing short of making it a
centre for young people in London. Unlike a lot of capitals in the
world, London has no heart for young people and we've always seen The
Roundhouse as one big umbrella where young people can come and
participate in all sorts of things.

We'll build television studios and fashion design centres and media
centres and all this under one roof with productions in the main space
and workshops with the professionals. I t really will become,
hopefully, the centre for young people.

I think this could shape the area. To an extent it already has - new
bars and restaurants have sprung up - but we certainly hope to take our
place in Camden as a place for young people.

Ted and Willy Walters

Ted and Willy Walters live in a terraced house just near Camden station
and gave this interview in their brilliantly decorated kitchen. A pink
flamingo hung on the wall behind them as Willy's clothes mannequins
stood proudly by the sofa. Ted is an interior designer and work
includes 'Seditionaries', Malcom McLaren and Vivienne Westwood's
Pioneering shop on the King's Road. Ted wore a small knitted hat as we
all drank very large measures of vodka with a dash of tonic. Willy has
very beautiful auburn hair which combines with her red lip-stick to
give her a glamorous yet approachable look

Future

Willy: What I can remember of Camden Town was the small shops of great
character. Also the cafes - extraordinary cafes. There was a fantastic
one called the Florida Caf? run by an old lady with a moustache and a
huge tea urn. The windows were always steamed up and she would stand
there, pouring out the tea. The fa?ade was decorated with palm trees
but anything less like Florida you can't imagine. But those sort of
eccentric pockets have completely disappeared

Redevelopment

W: When I saw the plans, I thought 'how hideous' but before the station
it was a magnificent dairy and they pulled that down to build the
station and I thought 'Oh well, it's going to happen again.
During the 1960's they pulled down a lot of buildings because of
corrupt councillors as it meant a lot of money for builders.
But there was also a genuine utopian vision. The terraces houses were
associated with slum living whereas the new flats would have everything
you needed for modern living. But it didn't work out like that.

T: You need the romance. (Gesturing to the garden) I planted a tree out
there, is that a good story?
We want a Banana Republic on every corner! (Laughs) But the kids, they
really don't mind, they love it, they don't care.