Commercial Architectural Photography

I photographed St Benedict’s Catholic College recently for Fulton Trotter Architects. It was an interesting long day. The weather for photography was as dramatic as the architecture itself. With vivid blues skies one minute to thundering clouds, rain and hail the next. The photography shoot also involved setting up numerous floodlights for a dusk photograph of the interior of the covered outdoor learning area. Below is a detailed description of the educational facility as written by the architect.

St Benedict’s Catholic College in Oran Park is a new secondary school developed on a greenfield site in Sydney’s South-West. Fulton Trotter Architects developed a masterplan for the site in 2011 to be completed across a number of stages.

The Art, Media and TAS buildings was the first stage of the St Benedicts College Masterplan and demonstrated the two building typologies which will be developed across the site. 
Stage 2 of the works includes a two storey classroom building – housing the food technology classrooms on the ground floor and six seniors classrooms on the first floor – as well as the covered outdoor learning area (COLA).

The COLA Building forms the centrepiece and focal point for the site. A series of view corridors link into the space from all the access points to the site. Its two storey height allows provides access into all levels of the buildings that connect into it – making it the circulation hub of the site. The form of the COLA is a modern take on the traditional Benedictine colonnade with the walkways surrounding the central gathering space framed by a series of concrete columns and beams. A lightweight, slender roof then floats over the colonnade covering the entire area.

The food technology and classroom building connects into the COLA structure. It features a tile roof and feature brickwork referencing the rapidly developing suburbs growing around the school. It is a continuation of the style that was developed on the site in the first stage of the works and is in keeping with the concepts developed in the masterplan. In plan the ground floor of the building features two generous teaching kitchen spaces – one fitted out as a full commercial teaching kitchen. A compact canteen space is also housed on the ground floor. On the first floor, six classroom spaces are interconnected with operable walls to allow for flexibility in the teaching configurations while also allowing the entire floor to be opened up for larger meetings.

Architectural & Portrait Travel Photography

As a busy commercial and photographer in Sydney it’s important to take some time off occasionally and explore our neighbouring countries. However I'm always a passionate photographer even on holidays as I’m still looking for that spontaneous moment or that striking architectural landscape.

I recently visited two amazing and different cities.  Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. I have been to Bangkok previously a number of years ago. It’s just as hectic as I remembered and you can still write you name in the air. Because of the air pollution you can actually get some lovely soft lighting, unlike the harsh Australian light. Kuala Lumper on the other hand was quite a surprise, very modern with just enough of Asia’s chaos to remind you you're actually not in a western city. The architecture of Kuala Lumpur is a blend of old colonial influences, Asian traditions, Malay Islamic inspirations, modern, and postmodern architecture mix. Being a relatively young city compared with other Southeast Asian capitals such as Bangkok, Jakarta and Manila, most of Kuala Lumpur's colonial buildings were built toward the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Petronas Towers once the world’s tallest buildings till 2004 are truly remarkable. They also built by Australia’s own Lend Lease. 

Architectural Photography - Brigidine College

I love creative inspiring architecture and crafting images that showcase the architect's vision. Fulton Trotter Architects and Mackintosh Photography have been working together in Sydney photographing four of their recently completed educational projects. Brigidine College's new building comprises of three levels - Performing Arts building incorporating a 225 seat Theatre, 75 car Basement Car Park, Dance and Drama, Music and Practice classrooms, Amenities and Associated External Works. Science building incorporating Science labs and General Learning Areas.

Brigidine College operates as an independent Catholic girl’s high school located in St Ives, Sydney. The College in particular prides itself on being forward thinking and progressive especially in regard to women and women’s education, preparing young women for the future. Brigidine College opened a design competition to a selection of architects to design a masterplan concept for the school in order to continue to provide state of the art facilities and increase the range of courses offered to students.

After a successful competition entry, Fulton Trotter Architects were appointed to develop the masterplan and the initial stages of the project. The masterplan takes inspiration from the school motto fortiter et suaviter “Strength and Gentleness.” When walking around the existing College grounds, particularly in the College Green and around the Chapel one experiences a feeling of serenity and peacefulness. This feeling comes from the soft landscaping and gardens, a key feature of the College. The buildings themselves display a strong, edge to the exterior of the college, and open up to a serene and flowing interior with gentle curves, verandahs and covered break out spaces - creating flexible and diverse learning spaces. Their design principles drew on these existing influences achieved with strong perimeter buildings opening up to the gentleness and connectivity of a softer interior edge.

Marketing your business effectively is critical. Large corporate companies and small business need to project a professional image to help attract new clients. Whether you're an architect, a construction company or a professional service provider, great photographs help you stay in front of your competitors.

Call the studio today to see how Mackintosh Photography can help grow your business.

Industrial Photography - White Bay Power Station Rozelle

The White Bay Power station is a magnificent heritage listed industrial building in Rozelle Sydney, right on the studios doorstep. The building is a photographic delight. Full of fantastic textures, colours and off course those two massive chimneystacks. In 2011 my daughter and I were lucky enough to go on a guided tour of the of this iconic Sydney building. The tour was with the Historic House Trust, now called Sydney Living Museums. 

The coal power station is designed in the industrial federation architecture style. With its imposing height, sharp angles and flowing repartition in the design, it dominates the local area. It can be seen from across the harbour from Pyrmont, the Anzac Bridge and even from Barangaroo on the western side of the Sydney CBD. The building was commissioned, to satisfy the power requirements for the expansion of the Sydney tram and rail network, New South Wales Government Railways began the first phase of work on The White Bay Power Station in 1912. The building is a graphic reminder of Sydney's once industrial past. Its a shame not more of our Maritime and industrial heritage has been preserved.

The building is currently been preserved by Murphys Group Services

Architectural Photography Sydney - Rose Seidler House

During the recent summer holidays I took a friend of mine who enjoys architecture to see an old favourite Sydney icon. The Rose Seidler House at Wahroonga in Northern Sydney. It's always a great challenge photographing a previous subject. Trying to fined that new angle of a building that you have photographed previously is creatively rewarding. I like to just sit down and observe. Ideas can come through the light falling on the house, the reflections and shadows. 

It was designed by late Harry Seidler. It was built in 1948-50 for his parents Rose and Max, who lived there until 1967. I first photographed this modernist house way back in 2006 for the Historic Houses Trust of NSW. For more information about the house and see my photograph they used to best feature the house follow the link below.

If your require information or advice about your next architectural project please contact the studio, I'd happily have a chat to you about  how I can help you with your professional photography needs.