The winners of the 2020 AIA National Architectural Photography Competition, produced by the St. Louis Chapter of the AIA, represent the work of photographers based across the country, shooting projects across the globe.
For more than 30 years, the competition has aimed "to highlight the unique way in which architects view and capture the world," Michelle Swatek, executive director of AIA St. Louis, tells RECORD. "Perhaps now more than ever, we need to see beauty in the world around us and in the built environment. We hope these photographs provide just that."
The top four entries to the annual contest each receive cash prizes, while 10 additional images earn Judges' Commendations. Jurors for this year, all based in St. Louis, were photographer Whitney Curtis, a regular contributor to the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal; Richard Sprengeler, a commercial, architectural, and fine art photographer; and architect Gary Tetley, an architectural and fine art photographer, and architectural historian.
The 2021 competition deadline is March 15, 2021. Read more about how to enter on the AIA St. Louis Chapter's website.
Click on the thumbnails below to read more about of each of this year's winning images.
Daniel Joseph Allen, AIAS
First Place
Shadow Collage, Chicago
Photo by Daniel Joseph Allen, AIAS, based in Chicago
Photographer's comment: Manipulating depth perception in a flat world of black and white; light projection on a man
Gerald W. Shonkwiler, AIA
Second Place
Church on Sun Day, Lake Mettigoshe, North Dakota
Photo by Gerald W. Shonkwiler, AIA, based in San Diego
Photographer's comment: The New Salem Lutheran Church
Qian Huang, Associate AIA
Third Place
Out of the Universe, Macao, China
Photo by Qian Huang, Associate AIA, based in St. Louis
Photographer's comment: Morpheus Hotel
Michael B. Wilkes, FAIA
Fuller Award
Halprin’s Maze, San Francisco
Photo by Michael B. Wilkes, FAIA, based in La Jolla, California
Photographer's comment: Embarcadero Fountain
Bonnie Blake-Drucker, FAIA
Judge’s Commendation
Ando Ramp, Naoshima, Japan
Photo by Bonnie Blake-Drucker, FAIA, based in Oakland, California
Photographer's comment: The perfection of the concrete and the light is Tadao Ando
Steven L. House, AIA
Judge’s Commendation
Desert Shadows, Timbuktu, Mali, West Africa
Photo by Steven L. House, AIA, based in San Francisco
Steven L. House, AIA
Judge’s Commendation
Stainless Reflection, New York City
Photo by Steven L. House, AIA, based in San Francisco
Qian Huang, Associate AIA
Judge’s Commendation
Shapes of Sky, Barcelona
Photo by Qian Huang, Associate AIA, based in St. Louis
Lake Lewis, AIAS
Judge’s Commendation
Dinner, Pittsburgh
Photo by Lake Lewis, AIAS, based in Seattle
Photographer's comment: Image of Bed Sitting Rooms for an Artist in Residence installation by Allan Wexler at the Mattress Factory
Kyle A. Rookstool, AIA
Judge’s Commendation
Sticks and Stones, Conklin, New York
Photo by Kyle A. Rookstool, AIA, based in Jackson, Tennessee
Photographer's comment: Dicks Sporting Goods Distribution Center
Gerald W. Shonkwiler, AIA
Judge’s Commendation
Architecture in Flight, Milwaukee
Photo by Gerald W. Shonkwiler, AIA, based in San Diego
Michael B. Wilkes, FAIA
Judge’s Commendation
Construction Nets or Art, Eugene, Oregon
Photo by Michael B. Wilkes, FAIA, based in La Jolla, California
Photographer's comment: Nets, Matt Knight Arena, University of Oregon
Michael B. Wilkes, FAIA
Judge’s Commendation
Grand Canyon in Concrete, Tucson, Arizona
Photo by Michael B. Wilkes, FAIA, based in La Jolla, California
Photographer's comment: Environment and Natural Resources Building 2, University of Arizona
Michael B. Wilkes, FAIA
Judge’s Commendation
Space Age, Los Angeles
Photo by Michael B. Wilkes, FAIA, based in La Jolla, California
Photographer's comment: Bridge, Civic Center Park, Newport, California
