Blythe House - Architectural Photography of a London Institutional Landmark

Blythe House is a highly significant Grade II listed institutional building located in West Kensington, London. Constructed between 1899 and 1903, it was originally designed as the headquarters of the Post Office Savings Bank, embodying the ambition, permanence and civic confidence of British public architecture at the turn of the 20th century.

For much of its later life, the building played a quieter yet critical role, serving as archive and storage facilities for major national institutions including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Science Museum and the British Museum. This long period of institutional use helped preserve much of its original spatial clarity, structural logic and architectural character.

The photographic commission

In 2022, I was commissioned by Avison Young to produce a comprehensive architectural photography series documenting the property. The purpose of the commission was to create clear, accurate and legible imagery to support commercial marketing and informed assessment of a complex heritage asset.

The photographic scope included:

  • exterior façades and massing

  • internal courtyards and urban context

  • circulation spaces, corridors and staircases

  • deep-plan institutional interiors

  • roof structures and construction detailing

See full gallery here: https://www.joasphotographer.com/blythe-house-london

The approach was intentionally documentary, prioritising spatial legibility, proportion, rhythm and hierarchy, essential qualities when photographing large-scale historic buildings with potential for future adaptation or reuse.

Photography, heritage and real estate

Buildings such as Blythe House sit at the intersection of heritage conservation, institutional architecture and long-term real estate investment. In these contexts, architectural photography functions not merely as visual promotion, but as a strategic tool that supports analysis, communication and decision-making.

Accuracy, consistency and clarity become as important as aesthetics, allowing investors, architects and asset managers to properly understand the building’s scale, constraints and potential.

Conclusion

This project highlights the role of architectural photography in communicating the enduring value of historic institutional buildings. Blythe House remains a powerful example of how late-19th-century civic architecture continues to offer relevance and opportunity today, provided it is documented with precision, respect and a clear architectural narrative.

Architectural and documentary photography by Joas Souza.

Historic Grade II listed building London Blythe House

Capturing Sophistication: A Look Inside 101 New Cavendish Street

I recently had the opportunity to photograph another stunning high-end office floor in London's 101 New Cavendish Street for Edward Charles & Partners, and I'm thrilled with the results. As an architectural photographer, I love capturing the unique features and design elements of different spaces, and this project was no exception.

One of the first things that struck me about this space was its attention to detail. From the high-end finishes to the unique layout, every aspect of the design was thoughtfully executed. The space was also beautifully decorated, with sophisticated furnishings and eye-catching art pieces that added a touch of luxury to the overall ambiance.

My goal as the photographer was to capture the unique features of the space while also providing potential buyers or tenants with a clear sense of its size and layout. To do this, I used a combination of natural and artificial light to highlight the unique features of the space. I also used a variety of angles and perspectives to showcase its size, scale, and layout.

One of the challenges of this shoot was ensuring that the images accurately reflected the space while also showcasing its beauty and sophistication. I wanted to provide viewers with a sense of the space's ambiance and atmosphere, and to do this, I used a variety of techniques to create images that were well-lit, well-composed, and technically sound.

Overall, I'm thrilled with the final results of this shoot. The images I captured showcase the unique features and design elements of the space, highlight its sophistication and attention to detail, and provide potential buyers or tenants with a clear sense of its size and layout. I'm proud to have been a part of this project, and I'm excited to see how the images will help the real estate agency attract potential buyers or tenants to this beautiful space.

The Victoria Collection for Caddingtons

Last week I was contacted by Caddingtons for the first time, they are selling some beautiful high end properties in Brixton SW2, the The Victoria Collection. They were looking for a selection of outstanding photographs for the property, something that could match and translate to the public the quality of the project. It was a very close call but I managed to get the shots done on the same day. Huw Daveis, the Caddingtons founder, called me in the morning and at 2:30pm I was already there, capturing some beautiful images. The interior design was beautifully done, making every space in the house, extremely inviting and attractive. Well, here is some selected image of the day. Click in the image to see it in full.