lunch at Piccadilly circus

When still cutting my architectural draughting teeth, I worked as a CAD driver in London, capturing a part of London's architecture that really made my time working their very special. I would start my measuring surveying up process in the very early mornings - With tape measure and hand sketches - Mostly having my lunch on the Piccadilly circus statue. (Im the most photographed CAD specialist in china, between 1997 and 1999.) I would then walk to the office off Goodge street tube station. Capturing what i survey measured up that morning on CAD. Going 2 levels below ground and measuring up all levels above the NGL. I also measured up all the elevations fronting Coventry street, Shaftersbury avenue, Rupert street and Great Windmill street. I also really enjoyed capturing the details of the various buildings. Nothing like experiencing architecture whilst measuring and capturing its as built subtleties.

Incidentally and this is to my mind , London has a definite smell that ive never smelt anywhere else before and since. Measuring up the basement levels and the street elevations i really got down to the nitty gritty of that part of the city. The smell wasn't unpleasant, just unique. Ive measured and captured onto CAD many, many  old buildings all over Cape Town over the last 17 yrs, each has its own story. However if i close my eyes,  i can still get that whiff of that London smell in my nose, very unique.

When i was in London in 1997 - 1999 i felt very safe - I skateboarded everywhere, which i really enjoyed - The pavements where smooth and skating from Goodge street tube to our home in Sheperds Bush was mostly down hill. I really need to do that again, if i ever return for a visit that is what i want to do. Retrace my steps, definitely having a couple of pints in the various public houses along the way. Yes that would be great. To take in London again  - Having experienced something special 20 yrs ago. Then to travel to Barcelona and Morocco. Dreams fit for a king i tell you, fit for a king.

Below are my survey drawings drawn onto CAD. I developed a huge love for achitecture measuring up these old buildings. Up until then architecture made no real sense to me. After this experience i understood the symphony that is bricks and mortar. I heard the melody and appreciated the music. I would sit and stare at Londons great buildings and submerge myself in its deep arcjitectural heritage. Im sure other cities would do the same, however for me it was london. A wonderful privilege i gained so much from. Perhaps one day i will travel back to London. But now im concentrating on creating architecture im passionate about  here in Cape Town.