Militant Repurposing

In addition to the visual aesthetic that obviously attracts me to abandonements, one of the things I enjoy about this hobby is having the opportunity to learn a little bit of history about the places I visit and be able to see visual evidence of a site's previous use.

This particular complex was built in the 1800s as a fort, it was then used as a barracks, prison, and even a military hospital.  While exploring here, if you're observant, you'll definitely see traces of each of these uses.

High Pressure Shooting

In most of the urban explorations I have done, the experience is generally quiet, calm, and with a minimal amount of stress.  This photo was taken under conditions exactly opposite to that.  After spending most morning dodging security patrols my group found ourselves in this jet propulsion test chamber shortly after the said patrol rounded up a few explorers.  At this point, highly on edge, being able to focus on creating the photograph I wanted was quite a challenge.

As on you can see by some of my gear being visible in the frame, I was only partially successful!  While not a great photo in and of itself, the personal story that goes along with it for me will make it a lifelong memory.

Building The Matrix

Primary Colours

Awesome classroom in a school that's currently undergoing renovations.  Thankfully I managed to get a good glimpse of this place before it's fully repurposed.  While it's not necessarily evident from this photo alone, this was arguably one of the most symmetrical places I've ever visited.  For someone who's a bit OCD, it was fantastic.

Intersection

Two hallways, 4 adjoining rooms, and several windows.  Now, if only I'd been able to find a lonely chair...

Silent Study

This former veterinary school will be converted into residential suites.  I can only imagine how amazing the suites will be with the massively tall ceilings and huge windows.  The architectural details that were common place for non-residential buildings will make for a very unique place to live in.

Cool It

When doing research regarding abandonements, I try not to spend too much time studying photographs that other photographers have taken at that particular location.  While I want to ensure that a place may be worth visiting, I want to limit the influence that seeing those images will have on me.  As a result, I think that allows me to explore and get a feel for a place without subconsciously thinking about those images I've seen.  I try and give myself the best chance of allowing the creative process to occur naturally.

Having said that, there are some locations where images framed in a certain way simply scream to be taken.  Such was the case at this power plant cooling tower I'd visited on my last trip to Europe.  While the explore was fairly quick, it's likely one of the most photogenic places I've ever visited on my explorations.

Repurposing Abandonements

As an urban explorer I sometimes have mixed feelings when I see abandoned locations being repurposed.  I am sad to see a location be no longer available for exploration.  On the other hand, I am glad to see the location be preserved and actually be used again instead of completely deteriorating.

Such a scenario is in the process of unfolding at an abandoned veterinary school I visited on my last trip to Europe.  The photograph below is from a classroom within a complex of buildings that's being repurposed into a residential community.  This particular building is the last building that can still be considered abandoned, the others have been renovated and repurposed already.  Maybe one day I will be able to visit this site and see how it presents itself as a residential space.  Very cool.

Wasted Light

The natural light coming through this pristine skylight is now only enjoyed by the urban explorers who visit this European chateau.

Pristine Decay

Throughout my urban exploration trip in Europe I made it a point to be conscious of whether or not there were differences in exploring in Europe versus in North America.  Obviously, Europe's further reaching history means that many of the sites that could be explored are much much older than anything we could find at home.  Of course, you don't need to actually explore there to make that assertion.

One clear difference that I noticed is, in general, the sites that get explored in Europe are in really good condition.  Obviously the urban exploration community treats these places with respect.  However, on top of that, there seems to be minimal vandalism, very little scrapping, etc.  As such, the natural processes of decay are much more noticeable.

As an example, take the chateau pictured below.  While it certainly shows some signs of decay (it's been abandoned for quite a number of years now), it's still in fantastic shape.  In North America, such a beautiful place would be in ruins within a year.