More: Photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.raphaelolivier.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Raphael Olivier</a> recently went on an architecture tour of Pyongyang. Scroll through the gallery to see and read his thoughts about each building he photographed.<br /><br />"A gigantic hall featuring several screening rooms able to fit up to 3,000 seats in its largest. It is a pure example of Pyongyang's brutalist architecture. All in bare, raw concrete with modern shapes and sharp edges, brutalist buildings like this one can be found all around the city but this one is probably the most impressive of them all, and could make for a perfect science fiction film set."
Pyongyang International Cinema House —
More: Photographer Raphael Olivier recently went on an architecture tour of Pyongyang. Scroll through the gallery to see and read his thoughts about each building he photographed.

"A gigantic hall featuring several screening rooms able to fit up to 3,000 seats in its largest. It is a pure example of Pyongyang's brutalist architecture. All in bare, raw concrete with modern shapes and sharp edges, brutalist buildings like this one can be found all around the city but this one is probably the most impressive of them all, and could make for a perfect science fiction film set."
raphael olivier
"This hotel is probably the most emblematic building of Pyongyang and is still undergoing construction. Towering over the city at 330 meters (1082 feet) high, its infrastructure is made entirely of concrete which gives this solid futurist look -- like a very heavy spaceship that will never take off."
Ryugyong Hotel —
"This hotel is probably the most emblematic building of Pyongyang and is still undergoing construction. Towering over the city at 330 meters (1082 feet) high, its infrastructure is made entirely of concrete which gives this solid futurist look -- like a very heavy spaceship that will never take off."
raphael olivier
"One of the deepest metro systems in the world, it is accessed by very long and steep escalators. It is also used as a bomb shelter due to its depth."
Pyongyang metro —
"One of the deepest metro systems in the world, it is accessed by very long and steep escalators. It is also used as a bomb shelter due to its depth."
raphael olivier
"Completed in 1995, this monument is quite a recent structure yet very much follows the architectural line of Pyongyang. It's made from raw granite stone and radiates harshness, struggle and strength."
The Workers Party Foundation Monument —
"Completed in 1995, this monument is quite a recent structure yet very much follows the architectural line of Pyongyang. It's made from raw granite stone and radiates harshness, struggle and strength."
raphael olivier
"One of multiple pools as well as saunas, spas, massage rooms and barber shops in the complex. Completed in 1981, it showcases pure modernist architectural features and very carefully arranged interiors, notably the tile work."
Changgwang-won Health Complex —
"One of multiple pools as well as saunas, spas, massage rooms and barber shops in the complex. Completed in 1981, it showcases pure modernist architectural features and very carefully arranged interiors, notably the tile work."
raphael olivier
"Atrium view of the Changgwang-won health complex. The building's circular form made of raw concrete reflect a socialist modernist style. The tips of the Ice Rink and Ryugyong Hotel can be seen in the background."
Changgwang-won health complex —
"Atrium view of the Changgwang-won health complex. The building's circular form made of raw concrete reflect a socialist modernist style. The tips of the Ice Rink and Ryugyong Hotel can be seen in the background."
raphael olivier
"This sits on the outskirts of Pyongyang. The two women symbolize the two Koreas and the desire of reunification. Like many other monuments in the country, it is made from solid granite stone."
Two Sisters Monument —
"This sits on the outskirts of Pyongyang. The two women symbolize the two Koreas and the desire of reunification. Like many other monuments in the country, it is made from solid granite stone."
raphael olivier
"This is a street in Pyongyang dedicated to sports with numerous specialized stadiums including volleyball, taekwondo, swimming, badminton, football or pictured here, wrestling."
Pyongyang Sports Village —
"This is a street in Pyongyang dedicated to sports with numerous specialized stadiums including volleyball, taekwondo, swimming, badminton, football or pictured here, wrestling."
raphael olivier
"A remote piece of modernist architecture used only as a quick stop for tourists on the way to visit the DMZ. It stays quiet most of the time with very little traffic passing through but has a warm presence of its own and sits with dignity in the empty landscape."
Overpass —
"A remote piece of modernist architecture used only as a quick stop for tourists on the way to visit the DMZ. It stays quiet most of the time with very little traffic passing through but has a warm presence of its own and sits with dignity in the empty landscape."
raphael olivier
"Completed in 1982, the ice rink has a very retro feel while still retaining a futuristic edge."
Pyongyang Ice Rink —
"Completed in 1982, the ice rink has a very retro feel while still retaining a futuristic edge."
raphael olivier
"Enthusiasts of various levels practice their skating skills, under the vast conical roof and surrounded by warm harmonious colors."
Pyongyang Ice Rink Interior —
"Enthusiasts of various levels practice their skating skills, under the vast conical roof and surrounded by warm harmonious colors."
raphael olivier
"A multi-function space for the youth to practice music, dancing, theater and other activities. Yet another good example of brutalist architecture."
Pyongyang Central Youth Hall —
"A multi-function space for the youth to practice music, dancing, theater and other activities. Yet another good example of brutalist architecture."
raphael olivier
The cinema complex is mostly out of service and only used for special occasions such as the Pyongyang International Film Festival, held every two years.
Pyongyang International Cinema House —
The cinema complex is mostly out of service and only used for special occasions such as the Pyongyang International Film Festival, held every two years.
raphael olivier
"Dressing room of a private sauna at the Changgwang-won health complex, featuring beautiful green tile work with black floor, matching the unique vintage tones of the city."
Dressing room of a private sauna, Changgwang-won health complex —
"Dressing room of a private sauna at the Changgwang-won health complex, featuring beautiful green tile work with black floor, matching the unique vintage tones of the city."
raphael olivier
"The shop follows the curve of the building, and is full of vintage design elements such as the pattern-printed flooring and wallpaper on the chairs and even the staff uniforms."
A barbershop inside Changgwang-won health complex —
"The shop follows the curve of the building, and is full of vintage design elements such as the pattern-printed flooring and wallpaper on the chairs and even the staff uniforms."
raphael olivier
"The gray, minimal, and textured facade with grid-like windows was built by the Russians while helping North Korea to rebuild its capital after the Korean War.<strong> </strong>It seemingly has seen many winters, just like the people of this nation."
A building in central Pyongyang —
"The gray, minimal, and textured facade with grid-like windows was built by the Russians while helping North Korea to rebuild its capital after the Korean War. It seemingly has seen many winters, just like the people of this nation."
raphael olivier
"Pyongyang's most iconic hotel, is an extravagant 45-story high twin-tower building topped by two revolving restaurants, although only one is open. This is the view from one onto the other just after sunset, sitting 140 meters (460 feet) above the city."
Koryo Hotel —
"Pyongyang's most iconic hotel, is an extravagant 45-story high twin-tower building topped by two revolving restaurants, although only one is open. This is the view from one onto the other just after sunset, sitting 140 meters (460 feet) above the city."
raphael olivier
"This venue is a rare opportunity for tourists to mix with locals in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The decor is superb as any bowling arena should be, with a subtle gradient orange backdrop and remarkable flowery carpet."
Golden Lane Bowling Alley —
"This venue is a rare opportunity for tourists to mix with locals in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The decor is superb as any bowling arena should be, with a subtle gradient orange backdrop and remarkable flowery carpet."
raphael olivier
"A view of the capital's east seen from Juche Tower. Here the homogenous design of the city and absence of visual pollution from commercial advertising become apparent -- as well as the very linear and raw structures of most buildings."
View of East Pyongyang —
"A view of the capital's east seen from Juche Tower. Here the homogenous design of the city and absence of visual pollution from commercial advertising become apparent -- as well as the very linear and raw structures of most buildings."
raphael olivier
"A classical Pyongyang tower made with modernist round shapes, painted pistachio green with hints of salmon pink. It's perfectly in line with the pastel tones favored throughout the city."
Residential building in Pyongyang —
"A classical Pyongyang tower made with modernist round shapes, painted pistachio green with hints of salmon pink. It's perfectly in line with the pastel tones favored throughout the city."
raphael olivier
"The North Korean Revolutionary Opera is performed at the Pyongyang Grand Theatre, which exhibits a unique mix of socialist modernist architecture with Korean influences."<br /><br />To see more of Olivier's work, visit his <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.raphaelolivier.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">website</a>.
Pyongyang Grand Theatre —
"The North Korean Revolutionary Opera is performed at the Pyongyang Grand Theatre, which exhibits a unique mix of socialist modernist architecture with Korean influences."

To see more of Olivier's work, visit his website.
raphael olivier