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Hazlitt Road
Abingdon Villas c. 1850-64
Testing Testing
Scarsdale Villas c. 1850-64
Pitt Street c. 1844-64
38 Delancey Street. Mid C19
24-32 Eccleston St. Early C19
Bedford Place c. 1800-03
12-15 Anderson Street. Mid C19
Scarsdale Villas II, c. 1850-64
Bourdon House 'Dunhill House', Davies Street c. 1723-25
Strathmore Gardens c. 1858
1-13 South Eaton Place c. 1835
Partner House, Chiswell Street c. 1701
23-35 South Eaton Place. Early C19.
23 Vincent Terrace c. 1840
Bedford Place II c. 1800-03
What value do we place on natural light? This photo series documents the bricked-up windows of London, examining the role that light and air play for our wellbeing in the spaces we inhabit.
Originally photographing overlooked bricked-up windows in appreciation of their visual form, Billman discovered some of these windows were blocked up to avoid the Window Tax (in place 1696-1851), which stipulated that the more windows one had, the more one had to pay.
The blocked up windows - some which are remnants of a time when a price was actually placed on light and air - have particular resonance with life during lockdown. Windows became a priceless source of wellbeing; offering sunlight, fresh air and a means to interact with the outside world.
Beyond reflecting on these visual structures & quotes from the past, the work inspires a greater consideration for light sources we create in our spaces today.
Upcoming — To be announced soon
Past — London Festival of Architecture 2021 at Bermondsey Project Space | 22-26 June
Features include BBC, Dezeen, Architect’s Journal and Creative Boom.
All works are available as limited edition prints here. Prices available upon request via andybillman@gmail.com