Camp Adventure Observation Tower, Gisselfeld Klosters Forest, Denmark - Photo by Marco de Groot
The Architectural Photography Awards 2019: Camp Adventure Observation Tower, Gisselfeld Klosters Forest, Denmark – Photo by Marco de Groot.

Photography – World Architecture Festival and architecture coating manufacturer Sto have unveiled the 24 shortlisted photographs competing at The Architectural Photography Awards 2019. Among the finalists Thomas Heatherwick’s The Vessel in New York pictured by Joan Muñoz Arango, Zaha Hadid’s Generali Tower in Milan shot by Marco Tagliarino and BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group’s Twist Museum in Norway portrayed by Laurian Ghinitoiu.

Victoria and Albert Museum main hall - Photo by Thomas Knowles
Victoria and Albert Museum main hall – Photo by Thomas Knowles.

Held as an annual celebration of the best architectural photography, the awards attracted 2.000 entries from 42 countries. The winner will be announced during WAF 2019 on December 6 in Amsterdam. 4 finalists have been shortlisted in each of the 4 categories of Exteriors, Interiors, Sense of Place and Buildings in Use.

The Vessel by Thomas Heatherwick, New York - Photo by Joan Munoz Arango
The Vessel by Thomas Heatherwick, New York – Photo by Joan Munoz Arango.

In the Portfolio category, judges will assess entries of six photographs relating to one architectural project within the theme of social housing. In the Mobile category for photographs taken on a mobile device there will be two winners – the judges’ choice and a public choice.

Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology by Amanda Levete Architects - Photo by Inge Schuster
Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology by Amanda Levete Architects – Photo by Inge Schuster.

The widely eclectic entries include cultural buildings such as Amanda Levete Architects’ MAAC –  Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology in Lisbon, Portugal, captured by Inge Schuster, and the Beijing Guardian Art Center portrayed by Aurelien Chen.

Tadao Ando’s Hill of the Buddha in Moakomai Takino Cemetery - Photo by Vincent Wu.
Tadao Ando’s Hill of the Buddha in Moakomai Takino Cemetery – Photo by Vincent Wu.

The shortlist includes several religious buildings and contemplative spaces such as the Grundtvig’s Church in Copenhagen, portrayed by Peder Jensen-Klint and Vincent Wu’s shot of Tadao Ando’s Hill of the Buddha in Moakomai Takino Cemetery in Sapporo, Japan.

  • Grundtvig’s Church -Photo by Peder Jensen-Klint.
    Grundtvig’s Church -Photo by Peder Jensen-Klint.
  • Tokyo's Office building - Photo by Yi-Hsien Lee.
    Tokyo’s Office building – Photo by Yi-Hsien Lee.

While most of the shortlisted images are devoid of inhabitants, a few have combined architectural themes with human interest. Laurian Ghinitoiu’s image depicts visitors resting on the edges of Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania, whilst Yi-Hsien Lee captures workers congregating on the balconies of an office block in Tokyo, Japan.

Tirana Skanderbeg Square - Photo by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Tirana Skanderbeg Square – Photo by Laurian Ghinitoiu.

Several highly abstract images contrast with landscape views showing the buildings in the context of their location such as the China Resources Headquarters in Shenzhen, China photographed by Su Zhewei.

Generali Tower by Zaha Hadid Architects - Photo by Marco Tagliarino
Generali Tower by Zaha Hadid Architects – Photo by Marco Tagliarino.

All photos: courtesy of The Architectural Photography Awards 2019.

Twist Museum by Bjarke Ingels Group - Photo by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Twist Museum by Bjarke Ingels Group – Photo by Laurian Ghinitoiu.
Beijing Guardian Art Center - Photo by Su Zhewei.
Beijing Guardian Art Center – Photo by Su Zhewei.