Love Architecture? Check Out This Stunning Photography That Won Awards

The Architectural Photography Awards have showcased the skills of talented photographers and the unique world of architecture and design since their inception in 2012. They welcome submissions from both seasoned photographers and amateur cellphone camera shooters from around the world, providing an international view of design.

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The 2021 photography awards had two overall winners, one chosen by the Architectural Photography Awards panel of judges and the other selected by the World Architecture Festival delegates. There was also a winner and runner up in the mobile category, which had a theme of Greening the City, and a winner and runner up in the portfolio category, with the theme of Building with History.

Liu Xinghao

HOLIDAYS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC | LIU XINGHAO

Entered in the category of Sense of Place, Liu Xinghao from China took home the title of overall winner with this image taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The photo was taken on May 17, 2020 during the dry season of the Yangtze River,” says Xinghao. “When the river receded, a rare large beach bed appeared. Residents who could not travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic were gathering on the beach along the river to enjoy the sunshine and manufactured landscapes, which was nicknamed ‘Ualdives’ meaning Maldives in Chongqing.”

Xinghao found an unusual vantage point for taking award-winning architecture photography—a concrete drain on the beach.

“I climbed up the drain with my tripod so that I could catch the entire scene on the beach,” says Xinghao. “This photo was taken with a Mamiya RZ67 camera and 75mm tilt-shift lens. The dynamic range of Kodak PORTRA400 film truly restored the colour and atmosphere of the scene. Set f.22 aperture ensured good resolution from foreground to background.”

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Tan Xaio

TIMES PAVILION | TAN XAIO

Tan Xaio from China took home the overall award for this photo of Times Pavilion in GuangZhou, China, entered in the Interior category. The designers of Times Pavilion say that “space,” “matter” and “energy” are at the forefront of the architectural design. Visitors feel transported to another place with moving walls on a track and LED screens that play throughout the space.

Chen Guanhong

GARDENS AT THE GETTY | CHEN GUANHONG

Following the theme of Greening the City, Chen Guanhong from China took this green photo on their HUAWEI LIO-AN00 cellphone. The photo is of the Gardens at the Getty Center in Los Angeles California, which was designed by renowned architect Richard Meier. 

Designer of many projects in the USA and internationally and awarded with prestigious design awards like the 1984 Pritzker Architecture Prize, Meier was selected to design the Getty Center after an 18-month selection process.

Yu Tzu Chin

NATURAL BATHROOM | YU TZU CHIN

How lush is this bathroom? Runner up Yu Tzu Chin from Taipei, Taiwan took this photo on their Samsung SM-G988B cellphone. The large windows displaying rich outdoor greenery and plenty of indoor plants surrounding the modern bathtub play well with the Greening the City theme.

Nee Deyie

JIAXING TRAIN STATION | NEE DEYIE

This portfolio of photos by Nee Deyie from China embraces the theme of Building with History with a focus on the Jiaxing Train Station in Shanghai, China. Designed by MAD Architects, the “Train Station in the Forest,” was designed to be an “urban green center” with plenty of spots to sit and enjoy both natural beauty and architecture.

Aurelien Chen

BEIJING FANG PROJECT | AURELIEN CHEN

Aurelien Chen from France took home the honor of runner up with this portfolio of architectural photos titled the Beijing Fang Project. This portfolio features designs from France, by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD) and Architect Qi Xin.