An Architectural Photo Walk Through London's New Neighbourhood: Nine Elms
Exploring London's evolving skyline with my Fujifilm X-H2S in hand
On a pleasant Saturday afternoon in London, with the temperature hovering around 13 degrees and the first hints of spring in the air, I embarked on a photowalk from Vauxhall to Nine Elms. After a morning of rain, the skies cleared, and the sun shone through, casting beautiful light on the unique and modern architecture of the area. My curiosity was piqued by a Redditor's mention of Nine Elms as an odd, new place in London that I felt warranted a discover through my lens. Armed with my trusty Fujifilm X-H2S and the 18-55mm lens, I set out to capture the essence of this intriguing neighborhood.
The Journey Begins: Vauxhall
Starting in Vauxhall, I’ve always been struck by the blend of old and new architecture. The area is a showcase of the city's evolving skyline, with contemporary high-rises juxtaposed against historical landmarks. High-rises in some seriously varying design, shapes and materials. With my camera ready, I set out to capture the unique atmosphere of this corner of London.
Vauxhall’s new towers rising high above what came before.
The gigantic orange brick towers around Vauxhall can you really make you feel dizzy as you look up. They are all quite close to each other and create this claustrophobic sense as if you’re being completely overtaken by them but also makes for really good compositions.
As I strolled along the River Thames, the sun's rays reflected off the water, with a low tide it all felt very calm and tranquil.
Entering Nine Elms: Architectural Wonders
Upon reaching Nine Elms, I was immediately captivated by the sheer variety of architectural styles on display. Skyscrapers of glass and steel towered over the area, creating a striking contrast to the quieter streets below. In the middle of it - The American Embassy in London. It’s the pinnacle of an odd architectural choice. Having to go there just a few weeks for my Visa for an upcoming trip to New York I really wanted to come back and capture it with my camera. The cubical glass structure is covered in a sort of semi-transparent membrane that makes it look like some mechanical jellyfish.
Details of The American Embassy in London’s strange membrane cover.
Despite the imposing facades, the neighborhood felt oddly quiet, as if it was still waiting to be discovered.
The tall, modern buildings provided a unique backdrop for my photographs, with their sleek lines and futuristic designs. The light played off their surfaces, casting intricate patterns and reflections that changed with every step I took. Even the clouds, which had rolled in earlier in the day, contributed to the compositions, adding depth and drama to the images.
Focusing on Architecture
Throughout my photowalk, I concentrated on capturing the essence of the architecture in Nine Elms. From the elegant curves of the residential towers to the geometric patterns found in the exteriors of commercial buildings, there was no shortage of visual interest. The contrasting materials and textures provided endless inspiration for my lens, highlighting the diversity of architectural styles in this modern neighbourhood.
My photowalk from Vauxhall to Nine Elms was a journey through London's architectural evolution something I’ve been fascinated by for my now 6 years of living in London, the building never stops! The striking skyline, beautiful weather, and odd atmosphere of Nine Elms provided the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of photography. With my Fujifilm X-H2S in hand, I discovered a new side of London, capturing the essence of a neighborhood that continues to redefine the city's landscape.
As always the notions of London’s housing crisis is ever present especially when visiting these new developments that keep popping up around the capital, but I’m in politics and I’ll leave that conversation here. I’ll just keep snapping away. I hope you enjoy going through the rest of the photos included in the gallery below. Let me know what you think in the comment section at the bottom. And check out my store for some photo prints!
