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Architecture

Stunning photography highlights the Art of Building

By Adam Williams
December 16, 2016
Stunning photography highlights the Art of Building
He and the bridge, by Oleg Dashkov, was taken in Riga, Latvia, using a Canon EOS 60D. "Riga’s Tower Counter keeps his records during any season rain or shine, wet or fine. Is he distracted by the beauty of the cable bridge I wonder?" says the photographer
He and the bridge, by Oleg Dashkov, was taken in Riga, Latvia, using a Canon EOS 60D. "Riga’s Tower Counter keeps his records during any season rain or shine, wet or fine. Is he distracted by the beauty of the cable bridge I wonder?" says the photographer
View 15 Images
Jeporeka, by Enrique Gimenez-Velilla, was taken in Asunción, Paraguay, using a Nikon D5100. "This photo seeks to pay homage to all the clever unknown workers that still build and maintain built infrastructure in the developing world. 'Jeporeka' is a Paraguayan Guarani word that roughly translates into make do," says the photographer
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Jeporeka, by Enrique Gimenez-Velilla, was taken in Asunción, Paraguay, using a Nikon D5100. "This photo seeks to pay homage to all the clever unknown workers that still build and maintain built infrastructure in the developing world. 'Jeporeka' is a Paraguayan Guarani word that roughly translates into make do," says the photographer
Elevation, by Naf Selmani, was taken in London, UK, using a Fujifilm X-T10. "The Hive - Kew Gardens' spectacular new bee-inspired sculpture seen from below as one of the visitor lays on the top glass floor to pose for pictures. This multi-sensory experience integrates art, science and landscape architecture,” says the photographer
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Elevation, by Naf Selmani, was taken in London, UK, using a Fujifilm X-T10. "The Hive - Kew Gardens' spectacular new bee-inspired sculpture seen from below as one of the visitor lays on the top glass floor to pose for pictures. This multi-sensory experience integrates art, science and landscape architecture,” says the photographer
Peacock, by Gina Soden, was taken in Italy, with a Nikon D800. "A fine example of Moorish architecture - but in a castle in Italy. These rooms were all hand designed and painted by one man who had a vision to build this beautiful castle and open it as a hotel,” says the photographer
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Peacock, by Gina Soden, was taken in Italy, with a Nikon D800. "A fine example of Moorish architecture - but in a castle in Italy. These rooms were all hand designed and painted by one man who had a vision to build this beautiful castle and open it as a hotel,” says the photographer
The Gherkin, by James Tarry, was taken in London, UK, with a Sinar 4X5. "This series is about looking past imperfections and ‘incorrect’ architectural photography techniques. They are created using a 4x5 technical film camera by forcing the perspective and focus. The expired Kodak Ektachrome is then developed in the ‘wrong' chemicals to produce these big slabs of often other worldly colour. These are flawed and hopefully challenging, just like some of the buildings themselves,” says the photographer
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The Gherkin, by James Tarry, was taken in London, UK, with a Sinar 4X5. "This series is about looking past imperfections and ‘incorrect’ architectural photography techniques. They are created using a 4x5 technical film camera by forcing the perspective and focus. The expired Kodak Ektachrome is then developed in the ‘wrong' chemicals to produce these big slabs of often other worldly colour. These are flawed and hopefully challenging, just like some of the buildings themselves,” says the photographer
The Hive, by Marco Grassi, was taken in Larung Gar, Tibet, with a Canon 5D Mark III. "Since June 2016, everything has changed in Larung Gar, but almost nobody knows about that. What before was the largest Buddhist settlement in the world and a remote place out of the modern society where nuns and monks led a passive life, is now being demolished by Chinese authorities,” says the photographer.
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The Hive, by Marco Grassi, was taken in Larung Gar, Tibet, with a Canon 5D Mark III. "Since June 2016, everything has changed in Larung Gar, but almost nobody knows about that. What before was the largest Buddhist settlement in the world and a remote place out of the modern society where nuns and monks led a passive life, is now being demolished by Chinese authorities,” says the photographer.
Purelife, by Shibasish Saha, was taken in West Bengal, India, with a Nikon D3300. "In this frame men as well as women are working very hard to feed their individual families. Women forget their pain and work alongside the men in a brick field," says the photographer
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Purelife, by Shibasish Saha, was taken in West Bengal, India, with a Nikon D3300.  "In this frame men as well as women are working very hard to feed their individual families. Women forget their pain and work alongside the men in a brick field," says the photographer
Sancaklar Mosque 2, by Bulent Suberk, in Istanbul, Turkey, was taken by a Nikon D700. "Modern architecture as a non-traditional mosque," says the photographer
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Sancaklar Mosque 2, by Bulent Suberk, in Istanbul, Turkey, was taken by a Nikon D700. "Modern architecture as a non-traditional mosque," says the photographer
Changing Landscape 1, by Barbara Rossi, was taken in Sokhna, Egypt, with a Nikon D810. "I took this photo in deconstruction, it shows transformation, action and beauty," says the photographer
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Changing Landscape 1, by Barbara Rossi, was taken in Sokhna, Egypt, with a Nikon D810. "I took this photo in deconstruction, it shows transformation, action and beauty," says the photographer
He and the bridge, by Oleg Dashkov, was taken in Riga, Latvia, using a Canon EOS 60D. "Riga’s Tower Counter keeps his records during any season rain or shine, wet or fine. Is he distracted by the beauty of the cable bridge I wonder?" says the photographer
9/15
He and the bridge, by Oleg Dashkov, was taken in Riga, Latvia, using a Canon EOS 60D. "Riga’s Tower Counter keeps his records during any season rain or shine, wet or fine. Is he distracted by the beauty of the cable bridge I wonder?" says the photographer
People’s Friendship Arch, by Oleksandr Nesterovskyi, was taken in Kiev, Ukraine, with a Canon 450D. "The photo shows the combination of nature and architecture, the harmony in combination of titanium arch height of 30 meters and a tree," says the photographer
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People’s Friendship Arch, by Oleksandr Nesterovskyi, was taken in Kiev, Ukraine, with a Canon 450D. "The photo shows the combination of nature and architecture, the harmony in combination of titanium arch height of 30 meters and a tree," says the photographer
The Turbo Dandelion Wind Farm, by Derek Snee, was taken in Northumberland, UK, with a Fuji X-T1. "Imagine if we could use plants to harvest wind! Well now we can. Ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, I give you The Turbo Dandelion Wind Farm," says the photographer
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The Turbo Dandelion Wind Farm, by Derek Snee, was taken in Northumberland, UK, with a Fuji X-T1. "Imagine if we could use plants to harvest wind! Well now we can. Ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, I give you The Turbo Dandelion Wind Farm," says the photographer
Flatiron building in a snowstorm, by Michelle Palazzo, was taken in NYC, with a Ricoh GR. "New York City’s iconic Flatiron building emerges from the blizzard like the bow of a giant ship plowing through the wind and the snow. Taken during the historic coastal storm 'Jonas' on January 23rd, 2016 the photograph went viral during the aftermath of the storm," says the photographer
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Flatiron building in a snowstorm, by Michelle Palazzo, was taken in NYC, with a Ricoh GR. "New York City’s iconic Flatiron building emerges from the blizzard like the bow of a giant ship plowing through the wind and the snow. Taken during the historic coastal storm 'Jonas' on January 23rd, 2016 the photograph went viral during the aftermath of the storm," says the photographer
Control, byRoman Robroek was taken in Hungary, with a Canon EOS650D. "This beautiful control room is one of a kind and built in a beautiful art-deco style," says the photographer
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Control, byRoman Robroek was taken in Hungary, with a Canon EOS650D. "This beautiful control room is one of a kind and built in a beautiful art-deco style," says the photographer
Coast minimalism, by Senad Tahmaz, was taken in Supetar, Croatia, with a Nikon D90. "Unusual, minimalistic view of the architecture detail," says the photographer
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Coast minimalism, by Senad Tahmaz, was taken in Supetar, Croatia, with a Nikon D90. "Unusual, minimalistic view of the architecture detail," says the photographer
Overlook, by Jonathan Walland, was taken in London, UK, with a Nikon D7100. "This is part of a series of photographs demonstrating how the absence of light can be used to divert the attention of the observer towards what the photographer intended to highlight," says the photographer
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Overlook, by Jonathan Walland, was taken in London, UK, with a Nikon D7100. "This is part of a series of photographs demonstrating how the absence of light can be used to divert the attention of the observer towards what the photographer intended to highlight," says the photographer
View gallery - 15 images

Each year, the UK's Chartered Institute of Building runs a competition showcasing the very best digital photography of the built environment. The Art of Building competition is intended to highlight the creativity of the construction industry, the passion of those people who work within it, and the impact their work has.

This year's shortlist includes 15 great shots of buildings and the people involved in their construction. Read on for a few of our favorites, then head to the gallery to see each of the photos, along with a description by the photographer.

Flatiron building in a snowstorm, by Michelle Palazzo

Flatiron building in a snowstorm, by Michelle Palazzo, was taken in NYC, with a Ricoh GR. "New York City’s iconic Flatiron building emerges from the blizzard like the bow of a giant ship plowing through the wind and the snow. Taken during the historic coastal storm 'Jonas' on January 23rd, 2016 the photograph went viral during the aftermath of the storm," says the photographer
Flatiron building in a snowstorm, by Michelle Palazzo, was taken in NYC, with a Ricoh GR. "New York City’s iconic Flatiron building emerges from the blizzard like the bow of a giant ship plowing through the wind and the snow. Taken during the historic coastal storm 'Jonas' on January 23rd, 2016 the photograph went viral during the aftermath of the storm," says the photographer

New York City's 22-story steel-framed triangular skyscraper, the Flaitron Building, is one of the city's most recognizable towers. This shot by Michelle Palazzo was taken during Storm Jonas at the start of the year and shows the building emerging through the wind and snow like the prow of a ship.

Purelife, by Shibasish Saha

Purelife, by Shibasish Saha, was taken in West Bengal, India, with a Nikon D3300. "In this frame men as well as women are working very hard to feed their individual families. Women forget their pain and work alongside the men in a brick field," says the photographer
Purelife, by Shibasish Saha, was taken in West Bengal, India, with a Nikon D3300.  "In this frame men as well as women are working very hard to feed their individual families. Women forget their pain and work alongside the men in a brick field," says the photographer

This photo by Shibasish Saha shows a side of the construction trade that's less often considered, as men and women work together in a brick field in West Bengal, India.

Peacock, by Gina Soden

Peacock, by Gina Soden, was taken in Italy, with a Nikon D800. "A fine example of Moorish architecture - but in a castle in Italy. These rooms were all hand designed and painted by one man who had a vision to build this beautiful castle and open it as a hotel,” says the photographer
Peacock, by Gina Soden, was taken in Italy, with a Nikon D800. "A fine example of Moorish architecture - but in a castle in Italy. These rooms were all hand designed and painted by one man who had a vision to build this beautiful castle and open it as a hotel,” says the photographer

Gina Soden took this photograph of a Moorish-style castle in Italy that's been opened as a hotel. According to the photographer, each of the rooms is the design and paint work of just one man.

The Hive, by Marco Grassi

The Hive, by Marco Grassi, was taken in Larung Gar, Tibet, with a Canon 5D Mark III. "Since June 2016, everything has changed in Larung Gar, but almost nobody knows about that. What before was the largest Buddhist settlement in the world and a remote place out of the modern society where nuns and monks led a passive life, is now being demolished by Chinese authorities,” says the photographer.
The Hive, by Marco Grassi, was taken in Larung Gar, Tibet, with a Canon 5D Mark III. "Since June 2016, everything has changed in Larung Gar, but almost nobody knows about that. What before was the largest Buddhist settlement in the world and a remote place out of the modern society where nuns and monks led a passive life, is now being demolished by Chinese authorities,” says the photographer.

This photo by Marco Grassi is of a Buddhist settlement in Larung Gar, Tibet. Grassi says that the area was once the largest such settlement in the world, but is being demolished by Chinese authorities.

Control, by Roman Robroek

Control, byRoman Robroek was taken in Hungary, with a Canon EOS650D. "This beautiful control room is one of a kind and built in a beautiful art-deco style," says the photographer
Control, byRoman Robroek was taken in Hungary, with a Canon EOS650D. "This beautiful control room is one of a kind and built in a beautiful art-deco style," says the photographer

Alas, we know very little about this striking photo, other than the fact it was taken by Roman Robroek in Hungary and shows a control room built in an art-deco style.
Update December 19: The photographer has been in touch to provide a blog post link, where interested readers can find out more about the image above.

Voting is open to the public and those interested can visit the source link below. An overall winner will be declared on February 7 next year.

Source: The Art of Building

View gallery - 15 images

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ArchitectureBuilding and ConstructionCompetitionPhotography
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Adam Williams
Adam Williams
Adam scours the globe from his home in Spain in order to bring the best of innovative architecture and sustainable design to the pages of New Atlas. Most of his spare time is spent dabbling in music, tinkering with old Macintosh computers and trying to keep his even older VW bus on the road.

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