Where architecture meets healing

When the NHS unveiled the Dyson Cancer Centre at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, Somerset, the vision was clear. Create a space that feels as supportive as it is state-of-the-art. 

My brief was to translate that vision into images, honest, atmospheric photography that would give patients, staff, and stakeholders real confidence in what this new centre stands for.

More than just a building

This wasn’t just about documenting walls and windows. The Dyson Cancer Centre is layered with meaning: bold architectural lines, thoughtfully integrated art, and the latest in medical technology, all designed to put people at ease. My job was to capture it all, from sweeping exterior shots to the smallest details that make a hospital feel like a home.

Navigating complexity, quietly

The project unfolded in stages, with areas becoming available at different times. Some rooms needed to look ready for care with beds made, equipment in place, and staff on hand. Night shoots revealed illuminated sculptures, while drone and pole-mounted shots offered fresh perspectives, all carefully coordinated to respect the centre’s sensitive environment.

Behind the scenes, it took patience and flexibility to work around construction, coordinate with NHS teams, and ensure every image met the needs of different stakeholders, from the hospital charity to the art programme and the communications team. 

Each stakeholder required their own shot lists, but my goal was always the same: deliver a collection of images that felt calm, authentic, and quietly powerful.

A process built on care

Every shoot began with a walk-through and a clear plan, but I always left room to adapt, responding to natural light, the movement of staff, and the evolving space itself. I staged some scenes to suggest the centre in use, but never lost sight of the honest, documentary style that’s become my signature. And while my focus here was still photography, I brought the same careful eye I use in my 3D and video work to every composition.

Results that speak for themselves

The finished images were used for press releases, award submissions, and across the NHS’s communications, helping the Dyson Cancer Centre win the 2025 European Healthcare Design Award for Interior Design and Arts. 

Suppliers and consultants licensed the photos for their own portfolios, and the project was featured in regional media, giving everyone involved a collection of visuals they could be proud of.