Meet the former architect who is drawing every single building in London

A former architect has said he is ready to spend ‘rest of his life’ drawing every single building in London – including the public toilets.

Jack Hines has committed to immortalise every one of the capital’s houses, workplaces and garages as he tries to document the changing city where he grew up.

In two and a half years he may have only completed 0.177607% of the entire Greater London area – but the 30-year-old says he remains ‘fully determined’ to complete his task.

Jack told Metro: ‘The idea of drawing every single building was super fascinating for me. I wanted to capture the diversity of London and preserve it.

‘My deadline is my death. I know this will take a lifetime to do, but I am absolutely committed to finishing it.’

Jack began the project after he became ‘disenchanted’ by his job as an architect and quit.

But despite a stint in the whisky industry his creative passion remained and as he looked for a new outlet he would continue to sketch and draw in his spare time.

He continued: ‘I was ready to leave the architecture industry as I was becoming disenchanted and I wanted to try a different path.

‘I took this up as I was already sketching most days so it didn’t feel like too much of a jump.

‘This is a project which encompasses all of London, and I loved the idea of drawing every single building. I want to capture the diversity of London and preserve it.’

Each drawing takes an average of about three days, but he has spent as much as a week on one drawing as he tries to get a perfect likeness.

Drawing everything from ancient pubs to shiny office blocks, he is committed to covering every angle – although it’s the architectural remnants of London’s past that get him the most excited.

He sells the sketches on his website as originals, prints or postcards, alongside taking commissions.

Most of Jack’s work so far has been specially ordered, painting his dad’s house in Croydon as a gift and Tower Bridge for his Nan.

But as he works to cover the city he is close to completing all of the London Underground stations.

He is now building up to cover the less glamourous of the capital’s infrastructure – something he is looking forward to less.

Jack explained: ‘In the beginning I chose buildings which caught my eye. At the moment, I am focusing on getting London Underground stations done.

‘I also have had to do a few public toilets, which is unappealing but I’ll have to do them eventually.’

Jack said his least favourite buildings to draw are the more modern buildings, as they are ‘just brick walls and concrete’.

But he said the older parts of London are ‘much more beautiful and detailed’.

He said: ‘I am open to all sorts of commissions and ideas, but drawing modern buildings is definitely more boring.

‘They aren’t very imaginative or detailed, as they are quite brutalist and plain. It’s all just brick walls and concrete.

‘With the older buildings, there is just more to draw. Like with the windows and statues, they are much more beautiful buildings.’

He adds on his website:’I see London as the perfect city to draw in its entirety, not just for my deep personal links, but due to its rich history and distinct architecture.

‘I hope to take a snapshot of London’s long lifetime, by drawing the city in the span of my own lifetime.

‘I see London as one of, if not the greatest city on the planet – I may be slightly biased, however I believe there is no greater reason to draw every building this city has to offer.’

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