Desertion

The building where I work is closing down. It’s being cleared out floor by floor, leaving little behind. An empty box here, an abandoned wardrobe of clothing there. The depopulation is also apparent – there is palpably less noise as you walk in the main doors. And the only humans I captured in one of these photographs were workmen dismantling office furniture.

This is the second time I find myself in a BBC premises that’s being packed up. In 2013, the much-loved Television Centre became part of the broadcaster’s history, not to mention many workers. There is maybe less affection for the modern Media Centre building, but it’s sad to see it wither into a shell of desertion, and strangely chilling to record its demise.

Click first image to view this gallery

Tags: abandoned building, architecture, BBC Media Centre, emptiness, empty chairs, London, Media Centre, moving out, office premises, photography, Television Centre, White City

22 thoughts on “Desertion”

Cos on April 7, 2015 at 18:24 said:

So sad to see a building being cleared out. Still you can feel the people walk and work on the floors, thanks to your great photography.

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- mikeosbornphoto on April 7, 2015 at 18:25 said:
  
  Thanks Koos! They left enough stuff behind :) The upper floors are still occupied but it’s definitely a lot quieter than it was.
  
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  - Cos on April 7, 2015 at 20:25 said:
    
    Are you still working in the building? Or did you already move out?
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on April 7, 2015 at 20:47 said:
      
      I’m still there. It’s becoming a ghost ship.
      
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      - Cos on April 7, 2015 at 21:01 said:
        
        Don’t get lost in the big, empty building!!!
        
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        mikeosbornphoto on April 7, 2015 at 21:13 said:
        
        I might need to radio for help!
        
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        Cos on April 7, 2015 at 21:22 said:
        
        Just give a sign on Facebook and I’m coming to rescue you :-)
        
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        mikeosbornphoto on April 7, 2015 at 21:38 said:
        
        My hero!
        
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ckponderings on April 7, 2015 at 06:42 said:

Ahhhh, progress… Bad for sentiment, but great for photographers! Lovely images, Mike, but there’s the same sense of emptiness and desertion that your TVC shots had… :(

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- mikeosbornphoto on April 7, 2015 at 10:54 said:
  
  Thank you Richard. Yes, maybe not as iconic as TVC but the same sense lies within. And the building is still pretty new. The bean counters have been hard at work…
  
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  - ckponderings on April 7, 2015 at 14:57 said:
    
    Haha! So long as there are a few beans left over for you, that’s the main thing! :)
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on April 7, 2015 at 14:59 said:
      
      Well it’s hard to be sure these days :-/
      
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leecleland on April 7, 2015 at 00:54 said:

Great captures, Mike. Very empty, eerie, deserted and all of that but beautiful abstracts. My favourite has to be ‘Cleared Out’ because of the bit of red colour.

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- mikeosbornphoto on April 7, 2015 at 10:55 said:
  
  Thank you Lee, I’m glad you like them. I was intrigued by the wardrobe. Quite what that was doing there I don’t know!
  
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  - leecleland on April 8, 2015 at 00:31 said:
    
    And still with clothes in it too, that puzzles me !
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on April 9, 2015 at 21:35 said:
      
      Very unloved! Although I had a quick look the other day and everything has been cleared, including the wardrobe in the kitchen. I’m not sure whether that makes the space more or less compelling…
      
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Andy Townend on April 6, 2015 at 11:19 said:

Oh Mike, such great shots and so sad. I think I have said before that I was amongst the first wave of staff to move in to that building when it first opened. I have a lot of happy memories, and so it is so sad to see it empty like this. What’s going to happen to the building, where will you work now?

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- mikeosbornphoto on April 6, 2015 at 11:36 said:
  
  I suspect it will lay empty for some time like the older White City building has. My lot are heading to Broadcast Centre next door, but not until June. Media Centre will be very eerie by then.
  
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  - Andy Townend on April 6, 2015 at 12:09 said:
    
    Very eerie indeed, and I don’t think anyone thought that when we moved in it would be abandoned so soon. Good luck with the move Mike…
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on April 6, 2015 at 12:59 said:
      
      Literally around the corner when it comes! Media Centre still feels quite fresh, it’s true.
      
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Norma (Through My Eyes) on April 6, 2015 at 10:36 said:

Great shots! I like the one with the chairs.

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- mikeosbornphoto on April 6, 2015 at 10:37 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Norma. Yes, I hope those chairs are destined for good homes!
  
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