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The Trevor Whelan Collection Architects have an awesome responsibility. Their work can define a place, enhance it or even spoil it. And it's not just about structures; good architecture is also about the setting, using combinations of light, space and materials, having true regard for the location. For me, there is no single style that appeals - it is more about the suitability of the building for its setting. New buildings obviously can and do exist alongside older examples. If it is done properly, the new can enhance the old - sometimes even vice versa, thereby adding character to a given area. It is perhaps natural that I tend to photograph buildings and streetscapes that appeal to me in some way. This gallery shows a small selection of my architectural photography. Because of the high level of plagiarism that occurs on the internet these are deliberately reproduced as small, low resolution images simply to give a flavour of my work. I have also included some brief notes about the location wherever possible. |
Cardinal Place, London, SW1. The best view of the complex is that which greets you as you approach from the direction of Victoria Station. |
 The southern entrance to the complex viewed from the steps of Westminster Cathedral. |
 A quick and rather quiet interior view shot fairly early on a weekday morning. |
I love Cardinal Place. I like the way it sits, or rather - to me,
anyway - crouches at the junction of Victoria Street and Bressenden Place. I like the mixture of curved and angled planes.
It simply exudes character. The long taper at the western end uses what could have been very valuable space, but it
undoubtedly helps to blend the structure organically into its setting. I doubt that it would have worked any other way. And
it passes one more test for me too: it looks good from any angle.
On one side it had to be tied into the existing concrete edifice (Portland House) visible in the image above, but from ground level the ugliness of its near neighbour is ameliorated by the glazed canopy and the intricate supporting structure. I would like to do some pro-quality interior shots, but the security guards are understandably twitchy about casual photography! |
More to follow...
All content © Trevor Whelan 2010