March 2010: AOP Gallery Print Sale Collection Exhibition

As part of an on going plan to exhibit more of my personal work, I submitted a set of images to the Association of Photographers print sales collection. Thrilled to have 5 pieces selected, the exhibition started with a private view on the 11th March. Surrounded by clients and close friends the night went really well and my work was very well received. The only downside... due to a very important shoot the following day I had to avoid the alcohol and ended up drinking a very weird soft drink. The exhibition runs until the 31st March and my pieces are scattered randomly around the gallery.

March 2010: Park Plaza Westminster

One of the huge benefits of doing this job is the places you go see and the interesting people you meet along the way. Another commission for Building Magazine saw me photographing the brand new Park Plaza Hotel, just to the south of Westminster Bridge. Occupying the centre of a notoriously ugly roundabout that contained a building once voted one of Britain’s ugliest, the new hotel couldn’t be more different. The road has been re-routed and the hotel is modern, stylish, beautifully thought through and a photographers dream. My escort for the day was Lisa Maxen from the construction arm of Park Plaza, Gear Construction. Her enthusiasm and knowledge of the project were both amazing and totally contagious. Having tea with her and the architect I quickly realized what a feat of engineering it really is. With a V-shaped atrium giving many rooms a view over Westminster Bridge and a huge column free ballroom underground, the construction methods used were vitally important. More complex than I fully understand, they incorporated the use of a vierendeel truss from the 2nd to 13th floor and cantilevering the building over the road by 7m to give more space. What I did find really interesting as I stared at it in disbelief, is that due to large full height atrium the building is effectively two structures held together by a post-tensioned slab at level 13. A belt, without which the building would just peel apart!!

February 2010: Berenberg bank

The year has started off well, with some great jobs and a large number of quote requests, many from the USA.

This month saw me photographing the work of a good friend and great interior designer Charlotte Moorley of MRD-London. Their latest interior at Berenberg Bank occupies space in a newly built office block on London’s Threadneedle Street, designed by architects Eric Parry. The space MRD created compliments the office block brilliantly, adding well to what is already an interesting space, giving the offices a cool atmosphere and their own personality . The new offices have a clean and dynamic styling, are full of amazing features and furniture, whilst the view from every window is just breathtaking.