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Understanding space, scale and light through photography

Updated 2:08 AM EST, Wed December 7, 2016
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Winner of the 2016 <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.arcaidawards.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Arcaid Images Architectural Photography award</a>, this picture of an old reservoir in Finsbury Park, London -- called 'Underground Reservoir' -- was taken by British photographer and urban explorer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forgottenheritage.co.uk%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Matt Emmett</a>. The East London Water Works Company built the reservoir in 1868 and it is the first time a photograph of an historic site has won the photography competition.
Finsbury Park Reservoir London, England, by East London Water Works Company. Photograph by Matt Emmett —
Winner of the 2016 Arcaid Images Architectural Photography award, this picture of an old reservoir in Finsbury Park, London -- called 'Underground Reservoir' -- was taken by British photographer and urban explorer Matt Emmett. The East London Water Works Company built the reservoir in 1868 and it is the first time a photograph of an historic site has won the photography competition.
Photographer Matt Emmett/Architect East London Water Works Company
At 632-meters tall, Shanghai Tower, located in the city's Pudong district, is presently China's tallest building and the second tallest in the world. Bangkok-based photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.almasyphotography.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Nick Almasy</a> took this photo of the skyscraper, which was also the world's tallest twisted tower in 2016, soaring into the mist.
Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China, by Gensler/Marshall Strabala. Photograph by Nick Almasy —
At 632-meters tall, Shanghai Tower, located in the city's Pudong district, is presently China's tallest building and the second tallest in the world. Bangkok-based photographer Nick Almasy took this photo of the skyscraper, which was also the world's tallest twisted tower in 2016, soaring into the mist.
Photographer: Nick Almasy/Architect: Gensler/Marshall Strabala
The Pompeia center, designed by Brazilian modernist architect Lina Bo Bardi, was built in 1982 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The concrete structure of this former drum factory was photographed by Spanish photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.archive.inigobujedo.com%2Findex" target="_blank" target="_blank">Iñigo Bujedo Aguirre</a>.
Pompéia Factory Leisure Centre, Sao Paolo, Brazil, by Lina Bo Bardi. Photograph by Iñigo Bujedo Aguirre —
The Pompeia center, designed by Brazilian modernist architect Lina Bo Bardi, was built in 1982 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The concrete structure of this former drum factory was photographed by Spanish photographer Iñigo Bujedo Aguirre.
Photographer Iñigo Bujedo Aguirre/ Architect Lina Bo Bardi
The facade of the Allianz Headquarters building is made of natural Onyx marble, glass and aluminum. Its abstract form was photographed by Swiss photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dmk-photography.com%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D3%26Itemid%3D158%26lang%3Den" target="_blank" target="_blank">Adrien Barakat</a>.
Allianz Headquarters, Zurich, Switzerland, by Wiel Arets Architects. Photograph by Adrien Barakat —
The facade of the Allianz Headquarters building is made of natural Onyx marble, glass and aluminum. Its abstract form was photographed by Swiss photographer Adrien Barakat.
Photographer Adrien Barakat/Wiel Arets Architects
Independence Square, also known as the Black Star Square, was built in 1961 to honor the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ghana and is the second largest square in the world after Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. This picture was taken by famous Belgian photographer, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjulienlanoo.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Julien Lanoo</a>.
Independence Square, Accra, Ghana, by the Public Works Department. Photograph by Julien Lanoo —
Independence Square, also known as the Black Star Square, was built in 1961 to honor the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ghana and is the second largest square in the world after Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. This picture was taken by famous Belgian photographer, Julien Lanoo.
Photographer Julien Lanoo
Los Angeles-based photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paulturang.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Paul Turang</a> shot this image of a simple wood framed house, located in Manitoba, Canada. "The award is for photography and not for architecture," says Booth. "We considered factors such as composition, light, scale, atmosphere, sense of place, as well as the narrative."
Hygge House Warming Hut, Winnipeg, Canada, by Plain Projects, Pike Projects and Urbanink. Photograph by Paul Turang —
Los Angeles-based photographer Paul Turang shot this image of a simple wood framed house, located in Manitoba, Canada. "The award is for photography and not for architecture," says Booth. "We considered factors such as composition, light, scale, atmosphere, sense of place, as well as the narrative."
Photographer: Paul Turang/Architect: Plain Projects, Pike Projects, Urbanink
Spanish photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.archive.inigobujedo.com%2Findex" target="_blank" target="_blank">Iñigo Bujedo-Aguirre</a> took this photograph of a Serbian residential complex that was built between 1968 and 1974. It captures the brutalist architecture that was popular in the country during the 1970s, when it was known as Yugoslavia and under the rule of communist leader, Josip Broz Tito.
Residential Complex Block 23 Novi Beograd, Belgrade, Serbia, by Aleksandar Stjepanovic. Photograph by Iñigo Bujedo-Aguirre —
Spanish photographer Iñigo Bujedo-Aguirre took this photograph of a Serbian residential complex that was built between 1968 and 1974. It captures the brutalist architecture that was popular in the country during the 1970s, when it was known as Yugoslavia and under the rule of communist leader, Josip Broz Tito.
Photographer: Inigo Bujedo Aguirre/Architect: Plain Projects, Pike Projects, Urbanink
Local farmers built this spectacular chapel, located in the Eifel Natural Park in Germany, in 2007. Sand and gravel covers the initial structure, which is comprised of 112 local pine trees. The building is silent, with no electricity or water, a stillness captured by German photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.architektur-photos.de%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Mark Wohlrab</a>.
Bruder Klaus Field Chapel, Mechernich-Wachendorf, Germany, by Peter Zumthor. Photograph by Mark Wohlrab —
Local farmers built this spectacular chapel, located in the Eifel Natural Park in Germany, in 2007. Sand and gravel covers the initial structure, which is comprised of 112 local pine trees. The building is silent, with no electricity or water, a stillness captured by German photographer Mark Wohlrab.
Photographer: Mark Wohlrab/Architect: Peter Zumthor
The second image by Belgian photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjulienlanoo.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Julien Lanoo</a> to be shortlisted for the 2016 Arcaid Architectural Photography Awards shows a simple silhouette of the Vitra Schaudepot, a factory building built in the 1960s in Germany.
Vitra Schaudepot, Weil am Rhein, Germany, by Herzog & de Meuron. Photograph by Julien Lanoo —
The second image by Belgian photographer Julien Lanoo to be shortlisted for the 2016 Arcaid Architectural Photography Awards shows a simple silhouette of the Vitra Schaudepot, a factory building built in the 1960s in Germany.
Photographer: Julien Lanoo/Architect: Herzog & de Meuron
This double-layered plastic structure was built for the Serpentine Gallery's annual pavilion program in 2015. British photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jnphotographs.co.uk%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">James Newton</a>'s image shows the structure's abundance of color, light, and irregular shapes.
Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, London, UK, by Selgascano. Photograph by James Newton —
This double-layered plastic structure was built for the Serpentine Gallery's annual pavilion program in 2015. British photographer James Newton's image shows the structure's abundance of color, light, and irregular shapes.
Photographer: James Newton/Architect: Selgascano
This 68,000-seat stadium in Azerbaijan served as the main venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2015 European Games. Spanish photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vromero.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Victor Romero</a> captured the illuminated structure at night.
Baku National Stadium, Azerbaijan by ROSSETTI with Heerim Architects. Photograph by Victor Romero —
This 68,000-seat stadium in Azerbaijan served as the main venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2015 European Games. Spanish photographer Victor Romero captured the illuminated structure at night.
Photographer: Victor Romero/Architect: ROSSETTI with Heerim Architects
This open-air auditorium of the Haduwa Arts and Culture Institute in Apam, Ghana is a large-scale bamboo structure -- its curved roof alone is made from 41 bamboo arches. Belgian photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjulienlanoo.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Julien Lanoo</a> captured the work in progress.
Haduwa Arts & Culture Institute, Ghana, by (applied) Foreign Affairs. Photograph by Julien Lanoo —
This open-air auditorium of the Haduwa Arts and Culture Institute in Apam, Ghana is a large-scale bamboo structure -- its curved roof alone is made from 41 bamboo arches. Belgian photographer Julien Lanoo captured the work in progress.
Photographer Julian Lanoo/Architect aFA
Austrian architecture studio Coop Himmelb(I)au designed this museum of natural history in Lyon, France. This picture, by French photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffabricefouillet.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Fabrice Fouillet</a>, represents all the essential ingredients that, according to Booth, go into good architectural photography: "curiosity, sensitivity, humanity; an understanding of space, scale and light."
Musee de Confluences, Lyon, France, by Coop Himmelb(l)au. Photograph by Fabrice Fouillet —
Austrian architecture studio Coop Himmelb(I)au designed this museum of natural history in Lyon, France. This picture, by French photographer Fabrice Fouillet, represents all the essential ingredients that, according to Booth, go into good architectural photography: "curiosity, sensitivity, humanity; an understanding of space, scale and light."
Photographer Fabrice Fouillet/Architect Coop Himmelb(l)au
This light installation, designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto,  responds to visitors' movements and was photographed by German photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.laurianghinitoiu.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Laurian Ghinitoiu</a>. A good architectural photo "where possible, shows how people interact with a building and demonstrates the social purpose of architecture," says Arcaid Images award judge, Emily Booth.
Forest of Light for COS, Salone del Mobile, Milan, Italy, by Sou Fujimoto Architects. Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu —
This light installation, designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, responds to visitors' movements and was photographed by German photographer Laurian Ghinitoiu. A good architectural photo "where possible, shows how people interact with a building and demonstrates the social purpose of architecture," says Arcaid Images award judge, Emily Booth.
Photographer: Laurian Ghinitoiu/Architect: Sou Fujimoto Architects
German photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ft-a-hoffmann.de%2Findex.php%3Fid%3D2" target="_blank" target="_blank">Torsten Andreas Hoffmann</a> captured this stunning image while on the streets of the Dharavi slum in India. Founded in 1882 during the British colonial era, it is one of the largest slums in the world.
Dharavi, Mumbai, India. Photograph by Torsten Andreas Hoffmann —
German photographer Torsten Andreas Hoffmann captured this stunning image while on the streets of the Dharavi slum in India. Founded in 1882 during the British colonial era, it is one of the largest slums in the world.
Torsten Andreas Hoffmann
This picture of the Lattice House, located on the outskirts of Jammu city in India, was taken by British photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.edmundsumner.co.uk%2Fsite%2Fsmall.php" target="_blank" target="_blank">Edmund summer</a>. The facade of the building was designed to endure in the region's extremely hot and dry climate.
Lattice House, Kashmir, India, by sP+A Architects (Sameep Padora). Photograph by Edmund Summer —
This picture of the Lattice House, located on the outskirts of Jammu city in India, was taken by British photographer Edmund summer. The facade of the building was designed to endure in the region's extremely hot and dry climate.
Photographer: Edmund Sumner/Architect: sP+A Architects (Sameep Padora)
Architect Rafael Moneo, winner of the RIBA Gold Medal in 2003, designed this modern, minimalist church in San Sebastian, Spain. Multiple openings in the Church's roof shine sunlight onto the walls of the structure, a feature highlighted by French photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffabricefouillet.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Fabrice Fouillet</a>.
Iglesia de Iesu (Jesus Church) San Sebastian, Spain, by Rafael Moneo. Photograph by Fabrice Fouillet —
Architect Rafael Moneo, winner of the RIBA Gold Medal in 2003, designed this modern, minimalist church in San Sebastian, Spain. Multiple openings in the Church's roof shine sunlight onto the walls of the structure, a feature highlighted by French photographer Fabrice Fouillet.
Photographer: Fabrice Fouillet/Architect Rafael Moneo
British photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.willscottphotography.com%2Fsheldon-avenue%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">WIll Scott</a> captured the making of this steel helical staircase, which now stands as the centerpiece of a 9000 square foot home in London that was designed by Finkernagel Ross Architects.
Helical Staircase in Workshop, Littlehampton, UK, by Finkernagel Ross Architects. Photograph by Will Scott —
British photographer WIll Scott captured the making of this steel helical staircase, which now stands as the centerpiece of a 9000 square foot home in London that was designed by Finkernagel Ross Architects.
Photographer: Will Scott/Architect: Finkernagel Ross Architects
German photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.le-blanc.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Sebastian Weiss</a> took this simple yet captivating photo of the Helsinki Olympic Stadium tower. Standing at 238.5 feet above ground, it is a landmark of the historic structure.<br />
Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland, by Yrjö Lindegren and Toivo Jäntti. Photograph by Sebastian Weiss —
German photographer Sebastian Weiss took this simple yet captivating photo of the Helsinki Olympic Stadium tower. Standing at 238.5 feet above ground, it is a landmark of the historic structure.
Photographer Sebastian Weiss/Architect Yrjö Lindegren and Toivo Jäntti
British photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fkilianosullivan" target="_blank" target="_blank">Kilian O'Sullivan</a> captured this candid photo of a resident in Bruyn's Court, in Essex, England, on the Queen's birthday. "We considered factors such as composition, light, scale, atmosphere, sense of place, as well as the narrative -- did the images help us understand the building?" says Booth of the judging process.
Interior and Portrait of Derry Road Resident, Bruyn's Court, England, UK, by Bell Phillips Architects. Photograph by Kilian O'Sullivan —
British photographer Kilian O'Sullivan captured this candid photo of a resident in Bruyn's Court, in Essex, England, on the Queen's birthday. "We considered factors such as composition, light, scale, atmosphere, sense of place, as well as the narrative -- did the images help us understand the building?" says Booth of the judging process.
Photographer: Kilian O'Sullivan/Architect: Bell Phillips Architects

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