Capturing the Health Innovation Hub: A New Beacon on the Clyde

Every architectural shoot begins long before the camera comes out of the bag. It starts with logistics, weather mapping and understanding the core narrative of the space that's been created. When the brief came in to photograph the new Health Innovation Hub (HiH) in Glasgow for Hawkins\Brown, Atelier Ten and Kadans Science Partner, it was clear this wasn't just another commercial space. It was a project deeply rooted in the history and future of its location.

Packing the gear for the journey north in the late summer '25, the plan was to ensure we photographed the context of its proximity to the River Clyde and the details of the beautifully designed interior environments.

Here is how Hawkins\Brown introduced the project:

The narrative here is powerful: "From shipbuilding to science." Govan has a phenomenal industrial legacy and the architectural intent was to honour that while providing a state-of-the-art facility for researchers, healthcare professionals and start-ups.

This sentiment was perfectly distilled by Harriet Redman, Associate Director at Hawkins\Brown:

To truly capture this "new chapter for the Clyde waterfront", we needed to establish the building's footprint within the wider cityscape. While capturing aerials is not always a crucial part of my workflow, it can be incredibly beneficial to help set the scene and context of a project. This was a particularly tricky site to fly from as clearance needed to be successfully negotiated from the neighbouring defence firms and the police heliport hub which covers the whole of Scotland on the other side.

Securing these permissions required planning and discussion to negotiate and get aerials in a difficult and delicate situation which is constantly evolving because of the security issues and busy airspace at such short notice due to the emergency response helicopters. Maintaining a thoroughly professional approach throughout this process meant we could safely get airborne and showcase the building's proximity to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the river itself. Atelier Ten recently featured one of these aerial context shots on their project page:

Moving to the ground level and the interiors, the architectural photography becomes an exercise in managing light and emphasising flow. The facade, with its striking vertical panels, gives way to an incredibly warm and inviting interior.

When you are shooting a multi-level atrium like this, the dynamic range is massive. You are balancing bright natural daylight pouring in from above with the nuanced artificial lighting of the breakout spaces. The medium format Fujifilm GFX system is essential here, it holds onto the highlights while digging deep into the shadows without losing the natural texture of the wood and the acoustic ceiling treatments.

The spaces are designed to foster what the BCO judges called an "inspiring convergence of science, enterprise and community." You can see this in the thoughtful zoning. We spent time capturing the transition from the relaxed communal cafe areas up through the sweeping staircases and right into the specialised laboratory spaces.

The curved wooden handrails and the green acoustic panelling in the meeting zones soften the typical "lab" aesthetic, making it a space where people really do want to linger and collaborate.

Ultimately, the true measure of a successful architectural shoot is seeing the images out in the wild and doing the heavy lifting for the clients who poured years into the design. It was fantastic to see the project become a BCO Award Winner in 2026, recently taking home the Innovation award at the BCO Scotland Awards.

It’s always a proud moment to see my work featured in the BCO publications and helping to showcase the pinnacle of modern workspace design.

The Health Innovation Hub is a testament to forward-thinking design that respects its heritage. It was a privilege to help document this new beacon for Glasgow alongside a fantastic wider team. If you're planning a project that requires a meticulous approach to logistics and light, let's get a conversation started.

Project Details & Collaborators

• Project Name: Health Innovation Hub

• Location: Glasgow, UK

• Status: Live (Completed 2025)

• Accreditation: BREEAM Excellent

• Clients: Kadans Science Partner

• Architecture Scope: Hawkins\Brown

• Project Management & Planning: Ryden

• Structural Engineer, Acoustics, Transport & Air Quality: WSP

• Quantity Surveyor: Gardiner & Theobald

• M&E, Sustainability & Fire: Atelier Ten

• Landscape Architect: Harrison Stevens

• Contractor: Morrison Construction