Euripides said that to be born in a famous town is the first requisite of happiness. If that’s true then Ken Faulkner must the world’s happiest man: he was born in Detroit. Once renowned for cars and Motown music, the city is now infamous for ‘ruin porn’ and bankruptcy.
After studying at Michigan and Harvard it was clear that work prospects in the Big D were limited. So, nearly 20 years ago, under the influence of British pop music and a hankering to work with the best of European architects, Ken came to London. He’s now so thoroughly assimilated that he’s a Radio 4 addict and prefers public transport to driving a car.
Detroiter or Kentishtowner?
313 or NW5? Kentish Town. Detroit soothes the soul but London is far more agreeable on a daily basis.
What is your earliest Kentish Town memory?
When I was still in the States I heard St Etienne’s Mario’s Cafe; they also had a song called Archway People.
What is your favourite sound or smell?
Swifts in the summertime evenings, and I really like the quiet on the Heath first thing in the morning.
What is your greatest life achievement?
God! I don’t think I’ve done it yet. At least I hope not.
What’s your favourite building in Kentish Town?
I love Camden Mews. Go and visit the timber-framed house on the corner of Murray Street by Davis and Bell. Perfect.
Tell us why we should visit Detroit.
With all the talk about bankruptcy it’s amazing to hear that people are getting on with their daily lives and there are interesting things that you never hear about – Belle Isle and Eastern Market, and some of the neighbourhoods like Palmer Woods and Sherwood Forest.
What simple thing would improve your quality of life?
If Camden Council would stop pollarding the trees in our neighbourhood. They chop them down to ugly looking stumps that never get a chance to recover before being chopped back again the following year.
The tower over Archway station. You can see it from too many places and it has no redeeming qualities. It’s just ugly and inappropriately sited.
Which building do you wish you had designed?
Every time I go into the Jubilee station at Canary Wharf I am still amazed at how good it looks.
What has your career taught you?
Don’t always stick to the brief.
What is your guilty pleasure?
I do not feel guilty about my pleasures.
Where do you hang out?
El Molino’s in Holloway Road, Odeon Camden Town, and also St John’s and The Junction.
Tell us a secret.
Mehmet in Leverton Stores sells the best bagels ever.
What is your favourite dish and why?
My wife’s salmon with tomatoes and anchovies – a bastardised Jamie Oliver recipe. It’s simple, but still feels like a treat.
What did you do today?
We listened to the Archers. We went for a walk over the Heath and visited Burgh House which has a great cafe. When we got home we watched The Killing and made dinner.
Describe yourself as a building.
Classically restrained and coherently orchestrated with a steely frame. Basically the Lafayette Park Pavilion Apartments by Mies, which isn’t what anyone expects of Detroit.
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