Choi Hung Estate, Hong Kong, photographed by Fabio Mantovani
A building is so much more than bricks and mortar. It’s a snapshot in time, a reflection of society and the architects’ vision of it. A building can divide opinion (just look at the Brutalist movement), cause outrage when built and equal amounts of outrage when threatened to be pulled down. Either way, even the most simple of structures can evoke emotion and intrigue, and become as much a part of our urban landscape as the most elaborate – and no better way is this captured than through photography.
Gymnasium of the New Campus of Tianjin University, China, by Atelier Li Xinggang, photographed by Terrence Zhang
This year, Arcaid Images have shortlisted 20 photographers for the 2017 Arcaid Images Architectural Photography Awards to celebrate just that. The shortlisted photographs will be exhibited at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) in Berlin from 15th-17th November, with the winner of the coveted prize announced on Friday 17th November.
Black Rock Lighthouse Service at Burning Man, Nevada, USA, photographed by Tom Stahl
Made up of four categories – Exterior, Buildings in Use, Interior, and Sense of Place – the awards are designed to highlight the skill and expertise of the photographer, as well as showing the character, detail and environment of the project.
John Hill, editor of the World-Architects eMagazine and Awards judge commented: “More than just informing people about the existence of such places, the best photos go beyond that and entice people to learn more about the buildings, cities, and landscapes – maybe even booking a flight to see them firsthand. That feeling hit me on numerous occasions.”
SALA Ayutthaya Hotel, Thailand, by Onion, photographed by Wison Tungthunya
ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum, Denmark, by Schmidt Hammer Lassen and Olafur Eliasson, photographed by David Borlan
Baan Mom private residence, Bangkok, Thailand, by Integrated Field
Bosjes Chapel, Ceres, Cape Town, South Africa, by Steyn Studio, photographed by Adam Letch
Derby Arena Velodrome, UK, by Faulkner Brown Architects, photographed by Martine Hamilton
Dongzhuang Building Museum of the Western Regions, China, by Xinjiang Wind Architectural Design & Research Institute, photographed by Yao Li
North wall of the Revel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA, photographed by Brian Rose
Museum of the Pop Culture (formerly known as the EMP Museum), Seattle, USA, by Frank Gehry, photographed by Conchi Martínez
Messner Mountain Museum Corones, South Tyrol, Italy, by Zaha Hadid Architects, photographed by Tom Roe
Gymnasium of the New Campus of Tianjin University, China, by Atelier Li Xinggang, photographed by Terrence Zhang
Folk Art Museum, China Academy of Arts, Hangzhou, China, by Kengo Kuma, photographed by Terrence Zhang
Office building, Beijing, China, photographed by Tom Stahl
Ponte City Apartments, Johannesburg, South Africa, photographed by Ryan Koopmans
Samsung Electronics HQ building in San Jose, California, USA, by NBBJ, photographed by David Crawford
Sumida Hokusai Museum, Tokyo, Japan, by Kazuyo Sejima, photographed by Laurian Ghinitoiu
Tianrenhe Museum, Hangzhou, China, by HHDFUN, photographed by Zhenfei Wang
Words by Angharad Jones
