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Arts feature

Skyscraper squats and a lesson from India: the future of British architecture

Squatting, gutting and retrofitting – and a lesson from India: Stuart Jeffries looks at the future of British architecture

17 October 2020

9:00 AM

17 October 2020

9:00 AM

Not long ago, if you asked discreetly in the right Hackney pub, you would be put in touch with a character called Syd the Squatbroker. For as little as £150, he would gain access to the roof of an abandoned council tower block with a set of fireman’s keys. Then Syd (nom de guerre of a carpenter from Harlow) would abseil down to a window, gain entry and open an empty flat.

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