I love photographing contemporary buildings.
I am always challenged by what the architect is trying to say through the often simple lines of a structure. Yet, things can get a little subtle and confusing at times when you need to capture the spatial qualities of a brand spanking new building and convey its raison d’etre.
With older buildings this is less of a problem and I literally get a headache photographing all the arresting visual clutter on display. But oh, what beautiful clutter it is.
There is nothing more cathartic than observing the genius of a medieval hall or church to the exterior, then equally being absorbed by a lyrical piece of structural adornment only a few inches across on the interior.
Architecture Snippets
A decorative flurry of architectural links
Architectural History
Interested in prefabricated housing? Then look no further than MOMA's Home Delivery: Fabricating the Modern Dwelling (love the timeline).
The Basilica at Saint Denis in Paris is my greatest building of the ... continue
I am ashamed to say that my experience of Berenice Abbott's (1898-1991) work was only limited until its entry by the New York Public Library (NYPL) onto the Flickr Commons made it easily accessible to me.
Her images ... continue
The Minster at Beverley UK was started around 1230 and is to all intents and purposes cathedral sized, owing to it's role as a pilgrimage centre for Bishop John of York who was canonized as Saint John ... continue
I went to Queens Cross Church last weekend with low expectations and one eye on my watch.
Groomed by countless texts as to it being regarded as one of Mackintosh's less wieldly designs, my expectation was far superseded ... continue
I always remember my first visit to the C13th Sainte Chapelle in Paris.
After walking through the security check in, I felt decidedly disappointed by the hunched and cramped exterior.
Perhaps it was the stark contrast of the exterior ... continue
Charles Rennie Mackintosh was an architect who had a significant impact upon Modern architecture.
His early work (including many of his unrealised designs) was taken up by the movers and shakers at the cutting edge of fin-de-siecle Europe; ... continue
Eugene Atget's images of Paris at the turn of the century are iconic.
Atget seemed to have a remarkable sense of architectural shape and form, but more importantly, an understanding that capturing the mundane would have a significance ... continue
Image from Le Corbusier Grand (Phaidon)
Yes, it is that time of year again and you might be wondering what book's to write down on Father Corbusier's ... err sorry, Santa Claus' list. Well, you will be vexed ... continue
Miniplanet of the full set of stained glass at Saint Edmunds
The richly carved hammer beams in the Chancel
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Falinge is a small district of Rochdale, Lancashire which lies just outside the town centre. It has recently acquired the dubious mantle of ‘Benefits Capital of the UK’, which brought swiftly upon the concrete laden streets, the vagaries of national press attention. Just ... continue
In terms of architectural history there are some buildings which are supercharged with energy. The Basilica of Saint Denis near Paris is one such building.
Walk over to the Chancel and the Sanctuary and look up at the vaulting in the ambulatory and here you will see where the Gothic style was born.
This building is the starting point of all things Gothic as we know it today.
The Mother of all Gothic.
OK, there have been others who have tried to claim the Gothic mantle of originator, but this is the first place where we see the pointed arch and vault with such ... continue
Built for a Swiss banker in 1925 to house his art collection, Villa La Roche, Paris provided Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret to extend the concept of 'total art'. Like the Arts and Crafts movement and the Secessionists of Vienna, Le Corbusier believed in the sythensis of the arts - the fusion of architecture with painting, interior design, sculpture and even film.
The Villa is an inconic example of Le Corbusier's revolutionary vision which made him the C2oth most important and influential architect. His style is without precedent in terms of historical references and looks remarkably fresh and contemporary to ... continue
