Building design can inspire a sense of place, tell tales of the past, and offer glimpses into the lives of a city’s residents. And although the impact of grand structures such as Manhattan’s Art Deco skyscrapers or Antoni Gaudi’s eclectic buildings in Barcelona is undeniable, it’s often the smaller, ordinary buildings that tell the truths of day-to-day life. For the attentive eye, the symmetry of a store window can be just as illuminating as the spectacularly painted ceiling of a mosque—and both places have their own story to tell.
As travelers, when we stop to consider the simplicities or intricacies of architecture, we gain a completely new perspective on a place’s aesthetic and culture. And sometimes, timing can change the story—unexpected patterns, shadows, and colors can transform the plainest building into a work of art.
From apartment buildings to ancient masterpieces, here are some of our favorite snapshots of architecture around the world.
1.Massimo Rumi, Tokyo, Japan
An apartment building along Tokyo Bay in Japan, with its colorful lights and inhabitants, reflects the apartment culture in the country.
Image Source: National Geographic
2. Nishu Barolia, Jaipur, India
A woman’s rich blue clothes stand out among the Escher-like staircases of Panna Meena ka Kund, which was built in the 16th century.
Image Source: Imgur
3. Absent Ink, Pyongyang, North Korea
Colorful buildings surround the monument of the party foundation which recognizes the workers party of North Korea.
Image Source: The new York times
4. Dave Kessel, Milan, Italy
Light streams through the windows of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele ||, one of the world’s oldest shopping malls.
Image Source: National Geographic
5. Montgomery Gilchrist, New York
Reflections from late afternoon light dance off a building in midtown Manhattan, which is one of the largest business districts in the world.
Image Source: Fine art cinema
6. Corneliu Cazaku, Istanbul, Turkey
An interior view of the hypnotizing fractals of the Marmara University of Faculty of Theology Mosque with a modern take on Ottoman design.
Image Source: Reddit
7. Mitchell Van eijk, Liege, Belgium
Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava used an arched roof to physically and symbolically combine an urban and residential section of the city.
Image Source: Behance
8.Hamidreza Bagheri, Isfahan, Iran
A view of the intricate ceiling of the music hall in Iran’s Ali Qapu Grand Palace. The unusual cutouts in the ceiling are beautiful and functional.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
In essence, to conclude, photography is a potent tool that transforms our perception of architecture. It elevates buildings from mere structures to subjects of artistic expression, historical documentation, and emotional connection. By shaping how we see and engage with architecture, photography plays a vital role in broadening our understanding of the built environment and its significance in our lives.
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