Architect's five-year project drawing town's streets

James St Clair Wade has spent five years drawing Shrewsbury's streets

An architect who has spent the last five years drawing a town’s streetscapes has had his work featured in an exhibition.

James St Clair Wade began drawing Shrewsbury’s historic streets in April 2019 after he started working part-time.

His aim has been to create a series of unique, architectural views that allow entire lengths of streets to be seen simultaneously.

Mr Wade has so far drawn about 400 properties, with his work currently on display at The Hive on Belmont.

Speaking to BBC Radio Shropshire, Mr Wade said he wanted the project to be more than just a collection of basic architectural drawings.

“I try and pick up the life, the people who occupy the buildings and what’s happened to the buildings over time,” he said.

Mr Wade said his work was about the "community of buildings"

After he picks a street, Mr Wade goes out with his camera to take photographs, which he then refers to for his drawings.

He said the first street he depicted was Wyle Cop, adding: “As you walk along the street you can only see a little bit of it at a time – you’re looking at a steep angle, you’re tending to be focused on not being run over or you’re looking in the shops.

“This allows people to stand back and look at the whole thing together.”

Mr Wade's exhibition is open until 14 March

Mr Wade said his project was “very much about the community of buildings” and showcased the variety in the town’s architecture.

He said he had been encouraged by the reaction from the community, admitting he did not expect to still be doing it five years down the line.

“Because there is so much collective history embodied in the drawings, it affects quite a wide variety of people, so everyone has some kind of response to it,” he added.

“If they have been in Shrewsbury for any length of time or their family has been here, there are always memories and associations.”

Mr Wade said he was wanted to capture the variety of Shrewsbury's architecture

Mr Wade is hoping to continue his project until he has completed the town's main streets.

The showcase of Mr Wade’s work coincides with the DarwIN Festival Shrewsbury and features a number of buildings associated with Charles Darwin.

The exhibition at The Hive will be available for people to go and see until 12 March.