Location Agency Blog | 1st Option – Page 12 – 1st Option location agency blog

Top Tips – Interior Photography and the Difference Between Professional Photography and Doing it Yourself

Interior photography is a complicated subject that does, if done well, require a variety of skills. When trying to show off the relevant features that set apart your property from the next, like room size, period features and the amount of natural light it possesses, merely using a smartphone camera is probably not going to do it justice. It’s always important to remember that a good set of images could be the difference between your location being successful in the industry or not. There is an array of qualities, skills and techniques that go into interior photography, so if you are interested in registering with an agency then sit back as we go through the process and the differences between the good and the bad.

Equipment: You may think taking a photo of a room isn’t the hardest thing to do, you may think all you need is a camera, whether it be a smartphone or a DSLR, stand in the corner and take the photo making sure everything is in shot. However, life is usually isn’t quite that easy and neither is photography, if you are looking to take great interior photography that does set your property apart from the next, equipment is likely to play a vital role in achieving those desired shots. Interior photography is almost entirely a problem solving exercise and without the right equipment, lighting and angles, those desired shots are never going to get the attention they may deserve. There is no magic wand that will solve all your problems, however, having the right equipment will certainly help you manage these issues. We would add that what you need to understand is every space requires its own particular solution and that successful images are not only the result of technique and technology but also the style, taste and creativity of the photographer.

The Camera: It may sound obvious, but without a good camera you’re unlikely to be able to achieve the top quality desired shots that show off all the best features of your property. DSLR cameras allow you the option of changing your lenses to best suit the space you are trying to shoot. For example, a good wide-angle lens allows you to get all of the important room details in one shot, showing off the space for what it is and allowing every feature into the frame in pristine focus. If you were to use a smartphone to take the same photo, because of its restricted lenses it’s unlikely that you would be able to showcase the whole room in one shot. Furthermore, even if you have a DSLR camera, it doesn’t necessarily mean you would be able to achieve the same photos as a professional, utilising every element of the camera only comes with experience. Knowing which lens to use in which shot situation is key. For example, a 16mm lens may be handy in making the room look wide, but if you were to use it on a smaller room you could end up with an elongated shot or even worse, making the room look bigger than it actually is, which may result in disappointed clients when they see the space in real-life. For interiors you should also consider lines and perspective, making sure that everything is straight and in line with the edge of the frames will make the shots look much more professional. You may be able to edit the shot afterwards using image-editing software, however, choosing a professional will result in a much more precise photo without any wasted pixels.

Composition: Composition is one of the most important factors when it comes to interior photography. You are not only describing the space through imagery but letting the viewer walk in and feel like they are actually in the space (without being too abstract). There are certain tried and tested types of shot that really allow the viewer to get the best feel for a space. For example, shooting a room from the corners will usually make for a better image than a shot taken from one end, looking straight down the room. A photographer who is skilled at shooting interiors will find the best angle in any given room, devoting time to get the composition, lighting and styling spot on. The purpose of a good shot is to get as much of the room as possible, including all the important elements and features such as interesting fireplaces and beautiful french doors. Moreover, as with most subjects, when you shoot towards the light the shot can gain depth. These examples are elements that only a pro would know and essentially could be the difference between showing your property in absolutely the best way, which could make it much more likely that clients will notice and book it for a job.

Another factor that helps to set apart professionals from everyone else is styling the room to gain the most out of it. A pro has experience in getting the most out of a shot, whether it be moving an ornament into view so that the aesthetic of the room is better or simply leaving a gap between furniture creating the idea of more space or to better balance the shot. It’s also easy for most people to overlook elements that in hindsight may seem obvious, such as ensuring that beds are made and looking fresh, chair cushions are fluffed up, clothes, shoes and children’s toys are out of sight and even adding the odd vase of complimentary flowers in strategic places.

Another composition element that goes some way to showcase your property in it’s best light is the detail shot. A professional will know how to show off elements and features that reveal the style, history and atmosphere of the place, drawing inspiration from surfaces, objects and design statements. Not to sound like a broken drum, but when an agency or client is looking at prospective options, these detail shots that show off the character of your property can sometimes really help.

Lighting: The final element of interior photography and often the difference between good and bad is lighting. How it is used and how it is balanced throughout the shot can be vitally important in making a space look its best. If interior photography is about solving the problems in front of you, then good lighting can often be the problem solver. In most cases, natural light is a little bit softer and can be the best option for obtaining the optimum shot. In some cases, using artificial, or harder lighting, will be the best option for darker spaces. Often, seasoned photographers will use a combination of both, balancing them to work in complete harmony with each other so that all areas are lit equally. A professional photographer will generally come with their own lighting and will know exactly when it should be used and when to focus solely on the beauty of the natural light coming in through the windows and skylights. By using the best option for a specific shot they can reveal hidden elements, bring out certain surfaces and textures and, most importantly, add a sense of depth to the space, creating an image that you can almost walk into. Without this knowledge and expertise, your room could end up looking a bit flat and this certainly won’t help you generate the business and income that you’ll probably be looking for. So, as we hope this piece will help you to see, having a great set of pictures of your property can make all the difference in generating good income for the future and will ultimately be well worth the initial investment to help you to maximise the rewards in the long-run.

Top Tips – What to Expect When Registering with a Location Agency

Registering your property with a Location Agency can be an incredibly thrilling, exciting and rewarding process, mentally as well as financially. However, before you get into the rigmarole you should go in with your eyes open knowing exactly what to expect, which should help to make the whole process as seamless as possible. It’s also important to bear in mind that 1st Option have incredibly high standards when it comes to arranging shoots for clients, so before deciding whether or not to register, check out our top tips on what we look for in a shoot location to ensure you’ll be able to keep these standards with us.

Be Realistic with your Expectations

There are hundreds of properties on our website that all fulfill different aesthetics, trends and briefs. Every brief we get from a client is looking for something different to the next, so if your location doesn’t match up to what the client is looking for, don’t get discouraged if you don’t get work straight away. We have signed your property for a reason and there are bound to be briefs that match your location before too long. Clients also often option a variety of locations to cover all bases, so again if your property isn’t chosen every time it gets optioned don’t get disheartened as this is just the nature of the business.

Be Prepared for Filming and Stills

Here at 1st Option we get calls for all types of shoots whether it be Editorial, Advertorial, Advertising or Filming, all of which carry different day rates. You don’t have to accept any shoot you aren’t comfortable with, however, the more complex the shoot is, then the higher the rate is. For stills photography, Editorial shoots that appear in the editorial pages of magazines and papers work on the lowest rates, Advertorial and Library shoots for companies like Getty Images usually pay mid rates and Advertising will generate the highest rates. Filming rates are usually the highest and are agreed individually based on the production dynamics. This is because the complexities of filming are usually far greater than stills shoots. The crews are larger, they need far more kit, such as generators or tracks to move the cameras on and they may also need to bring trucks or on-site catering with them.

Recces and Viewings

Before a shoot, many clients will want to view your property, or ‘recce’ as it’s called in the industry, to make sure that it’s exactly what they are looking for. This could be because they need to check, among other things, room dimensions, natural light or access. There also might be occasions where owners may have re-decorated or changed furniture since the location pictures were taken and if there is a specific element featured in the images that is crucial to their shots then clients may need to check that this is still in place. To make sure that the recce or shoot always goes to plan and your location continues to have successful bookings it will be your responsibility to ensure the property is always clean and tidy prior to a crew arriving and that it resembles the photos that we showcase on our website. After all, they will be expecting to find what they’ve seen in the pictures, so always make sure it looks the same or you may end up losing the shoot, or at the very least upsetting the client.

Shoot Day

Be prepared on the shoot day, crews are often stressed and are working to time frames and budgets, so if you can be accommodating and helpful this will go a long way towards you having a successful career in the industry. Crews often appreciate being able to use equipment like clothes rails, irons and ironing boards, so if you can provide these it will help. Furthermore, if you can provide tea and coffee it will be greatly appreciated, as stated, being accommodating and easy to work with goes a long way to a successful shoot.

Deliveries

Clients may ask to deliver things like props, clothes or any other miscellaneous items the day or night before, and then pick them up after the shoot has finished. Again, we must stress the more accommodating you are the better chance you have of longevity in this exciting industry.

Extras

There may be extras involved in the shoot, whether it be overtime, parking permits or damages. If this becomes the case you’ll need to let us know within 48 hours so that we can invoice the client and reimburse you as soon as possible.

See what goes into making the perfect shot

Damages

Whilst all crews will and do take the utmost care while working in your house, sometimes accidents can happen and damages can occur. If this happens please try not to be too over the top with your reaction, as stated many times being friendly and cooperative goes a long way. As long as you let us know right away we can address the problem for you and sort out any issues so you can get reimbursed as soon as possible. If an incident of damage leads to a claims process, we’ll be happy to manage the initial liaison and help you find a solution, however, we cannot act as a referee and it will be your responsibility to work as harmoniously as possible with the client to reach a good resolution. A top tip in these situations is to always take good pictures of anything that concerns you and let us know as soon as it happens.

Overtime

Be prepared that shoots to sometimes run over the allotted time stipulated for the job. If this happens, just let us know when we do our call-arounds the following day and we’ll ensure that any extra charges are added to the client’s bill. Depending on the client, payment should come in anywhere between 30-90 days and as soon as we have it we’ll pass the money on to you.

Niche / Specific Client Briefs

We often get very niche or specific client briefs where they are looking for a very specific element or feature from a location, for example quirky art, specific door colours or type of flooring. So do please send any extra pictures that can help promote everything interesting about your property.

What the shoots look like after shoot day

Invoicing

After every shoot you will need to send us an invoice so that you can get paid correctly. This should be populated with all relevant shoot info, including our job number, the date of the shoot, the client involved, the net day rate and any extra charges incurred. It’s important to include everything at that time as once an invoice has been sent to a client we’ll be unable to send further invoices for extras. We have templates set up to help make your life easier and will be happy to share them with you, you’ll also be able to invoice us directly from the ‘client’ section on our website once you have registered.

Large Crews Having Full Access to your Location

You won’t always be inviting large crews into your house, but the more complex the shoot you take the more likely it is that there will be large crews accompanying it. There will be a lot of people coming in and out of your property and it’s important to remember that they are paying for access to the entirety of your property (unless stated otherwise). So we can’t highlight this enough, please be hospitable and try not to disrupt them while they are working.

NDA’s and Keeping Full Disclosure

Here at 1st Option we work with some of the biggest names and companies in the industry, so it goes without saying that some shoots are incredibly sensitive and high priority. Because of this some clients will ask for NDA’s to be signed before the shoot goes live to the public.

Reading through this list might make it seem as though there’s a lot to remember and consider but once you have a few shoots under your belt we can assure you that it will all become second-nature. If your location proves to be popular then the fruits of your labours will definitely make it financially worthwhile over time. We pride ourselves on building long-term relationships with both clients and property owners alike and some of our owners have been with us since the company first started back in 2001. So, if you have a great location and you think you can cope with the things highlighted above, we look forward to hearing from you and working with you for many years to come!

Returning to Work: Part 2

Top Tips – What we Look for When Taking on a New Property

One question we often get asked is what separates a shoot location from a regular property, what exactly is it you look for when taking on new locations? Well, while there is no short answer to the question, there are numerous features and qualities that we do look at before deciding to add a location to our library. If you are thinking of registering your property but have been unsure what companies might be looking for, then read on as we share our insights and break it down for you.

The first thing we look for, and this can’t be stated enough, is good quality imagery. If you’re looking to register your property with 1st Option, as far as possible try to make sure you are sending over well taken photos with good lighting to show off the space and features that make your potential location as special as it is. The better your pictures the more chance there is of us seeing what you see! It’s not a deal-breaker though, if you’re not able to take the best pictures in the world but we’re still able to see the potential, if we take your property on we’ll be happy to arrange for a professional photographer to come round and do the job for you.

The difference between a professional photograph and one from a phone

Angles are vital for showing off your property and all the space available

Room sizes are key, the larger the room, the more versatility it has, large rooms allow for a range of shots the photographer can take, better angles for the shots and the ability to easily get crew and kit in and out of the space.

6ixteen’s vast living room area making it perfect to shoot at

This brings us nicely to our next point, and that is, is the location versatile? What we mean here is, can the location be easily dressed for the needs of the shoot? Although a property may look perfect from a set of photos, when the crew show up it will really help if they are able to decorate or add to their set to better create what they are after.

The next quality we look for, which caveats perfectly from the last point, is a little bit more abstract but is equally as vital as the space itself. We are a very forward facing company and only work with the very best clients, so flexible, open and friendly location owners are a massive plus! Relationships are key in this industry so we will always look to make sure that the owners seem amenable, helpful and accommodating. For example, do they allow decorating for a shoot or are they open to filming or furniture shoots? These are all little nuances that go a long way to creating solid relationships between us, the location owners and the clients themselves.

Artistry and The Roost, two properties that allow decorating

Location, Location, Location! We are a location agency after all so location, we’re afraid to say, is everything. When we say great ‘location’ we don’t necessarily mean we won’t take any properties outside of London, however, if you are looking to register with us and you are based outside London, you must be bringing something unique, extraordinary or bang on trend to the table in order to encourage clients to travel that bit further. If you are based in London we will also consider good transport links and parking availability, as accessibility is crucial for many of our clients.

The Rock, based in Devon brings a ton of unique feature to the table

And last but by no means least, something that has already been touched on but deserves its own individual point, is the style or trend of the property. Many of our properties fit into specific styles or trends as there will always be a demand for certain aesthetics, whether it be Scandi, New England or shabby chic. If your property can offer a unique style or something that there will always be a demand for, then you stand a much greater chance of standing out amongst the crowd!

The shabby chic and scandi aesthetics of Jubilee and Tavern and Jupiter

Returning to Work: Part 1

Trendiest Shoot Locations in East London – 5 of the Best

With the gentrification of nearly every corner of London, and despite many people saying that it has stomped out vast amounts of culture, it has opened the door for sways of people to move further out from the city centre. With East London the first place to get gentrified, by now it has gone full circle and managed to keep its pockets of culture while boasting some incredibly modern and lavish parts. Here at 1st Option we have collated a list of the trendiest properties that East London has to offer, all of which offer completely different identities to the next.

First up we shall start with perhaps one of the most unique exteriors you’ll be able to find in the whole of London. Blackwood House, perfectly situated a short walk from Old Street, Angel and Dalston Kingsland, is bang on trend and effortlessly displays the East London aesthetic of modern-day London. I mean, could you see a property like this working anywhere else? This extraordinarily eye-catching property perfectly blends simple, modern and stylish interiors with top of the range technology and furniture. However, where this property really does shine is the remarkable exterior that is clad and decked completely in black stained wood. It also comes with an extremely private garden, with evergreen for all year-round shooting.

Now take a look at Optical! I told you every property was completely different to the next, and this Victorian townhouse could hardly be any more different to Blackwood House if it tried. The Location offers a host of the period features that everyone is after at the moment. This is set against mid-century modernist lighting and furniture and works absolutely perfectly. Furthermore, with a range of pastel interiors and chic décor, this gorgeous house has a really unique and modernist feel to it that just can’t be beaten.

Moving south from Homerton, our third property is situated close to the heart of Canary Wharf. Spratts Factory is an incredibly large and versatile space that has been used in countless tv adverts and ad campaigns, all of which only add to the property’s exclusivity and appeal. This ever-popular location features large rooms, a ton of exposed brickwork, which is all the craze right now, crittal windows and a large open-plan kitchen with a moveable island.

Next up we have Dingley Place, an exceptionally modern shoot location that wouldn’t be out of place if it was uprooted and placed in Malibu. Stylishly decorated with a minimalist approach to the interior and furniture, Dingley Place features a glass wall that opens out to a gorgeous enclosed terrace and because of this, offers a wealth of natural light. Additionally, this striking property also includes a state-of-the-art bedroom and bathroom, paired with a spiral staircase that’ll be sure to get your head spinning.

Straight out of Malibu and placed in East London

If the definition of trendy is stylish and indescribably cool, then you can’t write a list of the trendiest shoot locations in East London without including Eltham Court. With nearly every corner of this mesmeric property offering something completely different to the next, you’d have to be crazy to not want to shoot here. While including many avant-garde features inside, paired with a luxurious garden to match, we personally don’t think we need to say too much more as the photos really speak for themselves.

Mesmeric imagery potential at Eltham Court

Rhythm and Views – 5 of the Best

When you think of London, what springs to mind? Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament? The East End and Pie and Mash? At the end of the day, however many things may come to your mind, one thing that should never be missed off your list is London’s iconic skyline. One of the most famous the world has ever seen, and for good reason. It is truly spectacular from all vantage points around the city, never getting tired or old and always being added to. Ever thought you needed something truly breathtaking for your shoot, but never been able to find something to do it justice, well luckily for you we have some of the most remarkable properties with some of the most awe-inspiring views anyone could ever ask for. And we’ve put together our list for you to save you the trouble of endless hunting.

First up we have a roof terrace that doesn’t actually require too much said about it. Our Big Sky Roof Studio in North London offers mesmerising 360 degree views of the whole of London. Due to the vicinity of the space you can quite literally capture any aspect of the city you see fit. It also has a striking black brick building and wooden floorboards to compliment the skyline in a very distinguished way. Not often can you get a shot that ranges the whole skyline in the way that Big Sky Roof Studio does, don’t just take my word for it, book it in and prove me right.

One thing that’s for sure is London is never short of roof terraces. What it actually comes down to is sorting the wheat from the chaff. Luckily for you guys, we’re pretty good at it at 1st Option. With a terrace featuring views that sprawl across London including The Shard, London Eye and The Gherkin check out Hot Tub. With the winding train lines heading right into the heart of London, the view really illuminates the journey taken by many to get where they want to be. In the big city! Moreover there are many chill out areas on the terrace including a hot tub of course. You can see why it’s so popular!

Next up we give you The Water Tower, London’s only ten-story water tower conversion with a modern cube extension. Merely a short walk from Elephant and Castle tube station, this modernised conversion truly is as remarkable as it sounds. Offering state of the art furnishings throughout you’ll never be short of unique imagery or photo opportunities, and that’s just the inside. When you venture out onto the terrace you are greeted by spectacular 360 degree panoramic views that can’t be matched, looking over the whole of London. Whether inside or out you are able to sample the views due to unparalleled vantage points, floor to ceiling windows and ten stories to choose from.

Something a little different next, Coin offers a different angle, vantage point and entity altogether. As a beautiful new office space that moonlights as a shoot location just south of the river, the space offers iron pillars, wooden beams and exposed brick inside, as well as being decorated with some unique artwork and house plants. However, where Coin really makes waves is when you venture out onto the balcony that overlooks the River Thames, Tower Bridge and The City from an extremely unique viewpoint. Could you imagine seeing those views up close and personal everyday?

Have you ever seen a picture so perfect it looks like it’s a painting? Well you have now! They say a picture speaks a thousand words, well in this case I think it might just be one. Perfection. The aptly named Greenwich just a short walk from North Greenwich underground station is a gorgeous, large double fronted Victorian detached house, with some of the best views of London you might ever lay your eyes on. The whole property lies over 5000 sq. ft and has many dazzling features that make for a sublime shoot location. This includes oak parquet flooring, many period features and a beautiful open plan kitchen that looks over the South-West facing garden. And this is where the magic really begins, you are blessed with a truly unforgettable view that transcends any other you’ll find in London. Could you ever think of a more alluring backdrop in your life?

If you’ve been blown away by any of these properties and their magnificent views then get in touch with our incredible bookings team today!

Studios: Lifestyle vs Blank Canvas

Styled, lifestyle led studios or empty, blank canvas studios? Which style should you choose for your next shoot? There is often an ongoing debate over which type of studio is better, however, what it really comes down to is which suits your shoot better. While they both have their pros and cons, you have to know exactly what you are looking for if you are to make an informed decision. The key is to know what you’re looking to achieve in your final shots. So without further ado here are the benefits of both.

Styled Studios

Styled studios generally come with an array of interesting and mood creating props, one location that does the effortlessly is the fabulous Dalston Heights!

If you are struggling to come up with a theme for your shoot or don’t have enough money to decorate your set then styled studios might be more to your liking, properties like Belt Craft already give off a certain feeling, style or aesthetic, making your job a lot easier.

As just touched on, many styled studios come pre-set, offering you a certain aesthetic, whether it be quirky, moody or fun, however, in some cases they may differ from floor to floor offering you a selection of unique shooting opportunities all in one space. One property that highlights this perfectly is Friendly Place.

Because of the above points, there is the opportunity within styled studios to create one of a kind imagery that can’t be replicated in other locations, properties like Clapton Tram Shed are ideal examples of this.

Unique biophilic design of Clapton Tram Shed

Often these styled studios come in far larger spaces than their counterparts, warehouses for example like Buckle Factory, which is an ex textile factory, are often converted into new studio spaces and can be over 2000 sq,ft.

The vast space that Buckle Factory has to offer

Blank Canvas Studios

Blank canvas studios, on the other hand, allow you full control over the style of the shoot. Studios like Tram Depot come fairly bare, allowing you to decorate the set as much or as little as you see fit.

More often than not these types of studios come with professional lighting and a selection of coloured backdrops, so if you are looking for some pristine headshots or on the other hand are looking to take some modelling shots, a property that fits the bill perfectly would be Loft Studios.

Blank canvas studios offer versatility in their own way, perhaps less overtly without a range of quirky props, but they are often equipped with blackout options, making the space ideal for all types of shoots much like Dalston Studio.

Another feature that blank canvas studios often possess is a dedicated hair and makeup room, generally because the style of shoot they cater for is more geared to the professional photography market. Shoreditch 2 is a great example of this.

Finally, if you are looking for an event space, a blank canvas studio can often suit better, with not much pre-decoration you have full autonomy to style it however you see fit, Dome would be the ideal candidate here. If you’re looking to host an event with a bit more personality, somewhere like Studio East will give you more options than you could possibly imagine!

London Life: Architecture Through the Ages (Part 2)

Edwardian Architecture (1901- 1918)

Following the flamboyance of the Victorian era, saw the emergence of a new era and architectural style, Edwardian. Characterised by a period of revivalism, the Edwardian era was heavily influenced by the Medieval, Baroque and Georgian movements of the past, taking inspiration from all, creating properties with a mishmash of styles that had never been seen before. We, therefore, saw properties that included features such as Dutch gables, deep bay windows, sash windows, small-paned windows and pilasters. Because Britain had been, and still was, developing so rapidly, the Edwardian era saw the birth of a new middle class. Wealth was more widespread and with the development of new railway systems, this new middle class was able to live in the suburbs and work in the city. Edwardians were now able to build homes on larger, leafier plots of land and because of this, Edwardian homes tend to be larger than those that had come before. Moreover, with this new middle class, there was no need for servants quarters, so gone were the days of cellars and out houses. Because London had expanded so much in the previous centuries, most Edwardian houses will be found in London’s garden suburbs, places such as Hampstead, Dulwich, Richmond, Blackheath and now what is often known as Greater London.

Edwardian houses in the suburbs of London

Art Deco Architecture (20s & 30s)

The 1920s saw a massive shift away from the more regimented styles that had gone before. Following the 1st World War, people wanted to forget about the hardship that had gripped the nation for four long years and the bold designs of the Art Deco movement were one way in which Britain did this. New businesses wanted to show off how they were innovative and moving into a new modern, forward-thinking world. They did this via bold colour, clean lines, curves and most notably, geometric patterns. The most distinguishable modern businesses that adopted the Art Deco movement included cinemas, factories, and airports as well as the more flashy industries that wanted to show off their luxury statuses like theatres, hotels and apartment blocks. Some of London’s most iconic Art Deco designs include the Daily Telegraph and Daily Express buildings on Fleet Street The Hoover Building and the now re-modelled Battersea Power Station.

Post War Architecture (1950’s onwards)

Following the 2nd World War and the horrendous Blitz that London suffered, much of the city was left in ruins. Swathes of residential buildings had to be rebuilt and in an effort to do this quickly and efficiently, before the hundreds of thousands of people who had been evacuated returned, high rise blocks were introduced to London. Because of this, there was an extended use of concrete slabs, clean cubic shapes and a lack of ornamentation. This style is most often seen in places that were heavily bombed during the war, such as the Barbican estate.

Present Day

Inspired by the post-war trend of building upwards, property developers in London are still building tall apartment blocks. London is now known worldwide for its spectacular skyline. However, unlike the post(-)war, practical and unattractive designs, the new skyrise buildings are luxurious and lifestyle led with some of the most unique architectural designs in the modern world. While modern houses are constantly being built around the city and its suburbs, the architectural style differs from property to property and so doesn’t necessarily have an overarching style that you can put your finger on. However, if you look along the River Thames for example, you will see many new housing projects being built constantly.

So there you have it, London’s architecture through the ages! From the spectacular to the mundane, London truly does have it all!

London Life: Architecture Through the Ages

Every year (up ‘till now) millions of tourists flock to the United Kingdom to enjoy London and its rich cultural heritage and history. Part of this attraction revolves around the eye-catching buildings that can be found around the city and in essence make up a large part of London’s cultural landscape. London residents are lucky enough to experience some of the most eclectic architecture styles that have grown and developed with the city. For centuries London has benefited from a constant social and cultural evolution that has brought in widespread change across all industries, this is reflected in the styles of architecture we see across the city. Unlike many other major cities around the world, London actually grew outwards from The City, and developed over the years in a much more ad hoc way, creating a mishmash of building styles, materials shapes and designs. Many of these styles actually are reflections of the monarch periods, of the specific time, as they wanted to demonstrate the technological advances of their era. Whether you are strolling around Regents Park or sipping coffee in Mayfair, there are distinctive themes and styles that run throughout London making for one of the most diverse cities in the world. Check out our brief guide to the architectural styles that have made London so famous around the world.

Baroque Architecture – (1600-1750)

After the great fire of London in 1666 most of London burnt down, as London was a lot smaller than it is now. Because of this, architects were tasked with the daunting project of rebuilding a whole city from scratch. The main architect who was responsible for rebuilding the city was Christopher Wren who was a huge advocate of the sensual styles of Baroque architecture, utilising curved shaped, strong lines and rich colours. Some of Wren’s most prominent and famous designs include parts of Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace and the world-famous St Paul’s Cathedral. Wren designed much of London’s cathedrals at that time, however, St Pauls is the most famous and the best example of Baroque Architecture.

Georgian Architecture – (1714-1830)

After Wren and the Baroque era of architecture, London saw a move away from the sensual and expressive design that encapsulated the 17th Century. Inspired by Roman and Greek Architecture, the Georgian era sought to be the monarch that expanded London’s borders and in turn its wealth, bringing about a time of great urban growth. Many people saw that London was growing, and fast, and so swaths of people came to London in search of work and housing, because of this the Georgians saw a chance to turn a huge profit on all of this and so London saw, for the first time, houses built for mass profit. This was achieved by building many properties in one go rather than individually, and was the start of what we now know as terraced housing. The Georgians certainly re shaped the capital’s cultural landscape but they also re shaped the way it looked. As well as building many residential properties that can be found in North and West London, they were responsible for building many of London’s great housing estates that have stood the test of time. Next time you are near the Grosvenor or Bedford estates, look at their design with tall flat fronted terraces made up of red or brown brick, this was the signature Georgian design.

Regency Architecture – (1811-1820)

Regency architecture is defined as the period that prompted the end of the Georgian era. Despite only lasting around nine years, the Regency style architecture left a lasting imprint on the city of London. It was this nine-year period that saw many of London’s central residential buildings erected. Unlike the rest of the Georgian terraced housing, the new Regency architecture was designed to a far higher spec and was characterised by their white stucco frontage. The reason this period was so short lived was because the architect who was employed to do all this, John Nash, had far too elaborate ideas that ended up costing the crown too much, so he was let go. However, what he did build was far more intrinsic and pretty to look at, which is why today the Regency style architecture still lives on in some of the wealthiest parts of London. Examples include areas such as Belgravia and the housing around Regents Park.

White Stucco Frontage of Regency Architecture

Victorian Architecture – (1837 -1901)

Following the industrial revolution and the country’s new found wealth and prosperity, the Victorian Era is defined by the revival of more intricate and elaborate architectural styles. Based around more Gothic styles and designs, the Victorians built some of the most recognisable buildings London has ever seen, including the Houses of Parliament and St Pancras Station. As well as the buildings showcasing the Victorian grandeur, the period was also known for the introduction of mass housing for the new and expanding middle class who were experiencing real wealth for the first time. Because of this, most residential streets in London have examples of Victorian housing and most likely yours too. On the other end of the scale, the Victorians were also responsible for being the first monarch to implement permanent housing programmes for the poor who worked in the factories and such. This period was a huge turning point for London’s residents, with all cross sections of society able to live in properly constructed homes with appropriate sanitation.