The Images Shortlisted for Best Architectural Photograph 2017

Choi Hung Estate, Hong Kong, photographed by Fabio Mantovani

A building is so much more than bricks and mortar. It’s a snapshot in time, a reflection of society and the architects’ vision of it. A building can divide opinion (just look at the Brutalist movement), cause outrage when built and equal amounts of outrage when threatened to be pulled down. Either way, even the most simple of structures can evoke emotion and intrigue, and become as much a part of our urban landscape as the most elaborate - and no better way is this captured than through photography.

Gymnasium of the New Campus of Tianjin University, China, by Atelier Li Xinggang, photographed by Terrence Zhang

This year, Arcaid Images have shortlisted 20 photographers for the 2017 Arcaid Images Architectural Photography Awards to celebrate just that. The shortlisted photographs will be exhibited at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) in Berlin from 15^th-17^th November, with the winner of the coveted prize announced on Friday 17^th November.

Black Rock Lighthouse Service at Burning Man, Nevada, USA, photographed by Tom Stahl

Made up of four categories – Exterior, Buildings in Use, Interior, and Sense of Place – the awards are designed to highlight the skill and expertise of the photographer, as well as showing the character, detail and environment of the project.

John Hill, editor of the World-Architects eMagazine and Awards judge commented: “More than just informing people about the existence of such places, the best photos go beyond that and entice people to learn more about the buildings, cities, and landscapes – maybe even booking a flight to see them firsthand. That feeling hit me on numerous occasions.”