The APA Awards | Announcing the 2023 Photo of the Year Winners
There are really two components to architectural photography: the individual photo, and the complete set of photographs of a project as a whole. Both important – but it’s the single image that can be seen a million times, if not more, around the world. We all remember the image of Case Study 22 by Shulman – how many of us have seen the entire set of photographs? I’d argue far fewer. Without that singular, timeless image, there’s no question that CSH 22 would not be as well-known as it is today. There are countless examples of a single image bringing a project to the history books, and this category seeks to award the most arresting, eye-catching, tantalizing images of architecture around the world. It is always so humbling to see the entrants from this category and this year is no different. What an incredible collection!
-Mike Kelley, Architectural Photography Almanac founder
Photo of the Year | Non-residential – Large Project
Winner: Jason O’Rear | Greenpoint Landing by OMA NY
Jason is a San Francisco-based architecture photographer who has traveled the world for his work and been published in publications such as Architectural Record, AD, Dwell, Dezeen and more. This image was captured from a helicopter on the last day of the five-day photoshoot, the evening before Thanksgiving. The light was quickly passing and in order to get the shot had to leave without his client who was stuck in traffic. This was one of the first shots he took out of the helicopter and his favorite photo of the set.
Jason will be recognized with a trophy from AP Almanac.
“Beautiful representation of urbanity and NYC. The image paints a compelling narrative between the New York we know and the New York of the future” – Valéry Augustin
Photo of the Year | Non-residential – Large Project | Top 10:
#1 Jason O’Rear (USA) | Greenpoint Landing by OMA NY 
#2 Kevin Brost (USA) | Antinori Classico by Archea Associati 
#3 Fergus Floyd (AUS) | Oodi Library by ALA Architects 
#4 Zain Elwakil (USA) | National Museum of Qatar by Jean Nouvel 
#5 Adrien Barakat (CH) | Espace Tourbillon by Brodbeck Roulet Architects 
#6 Hans Georg Esch (DE) | Atmosphere by Krallerhof by Hadi Teherani 
#7 Peter Julian (USA) | Boston University Center for Computing & Data Sciences KPMB Architects 
#8 Brad Feinknopf (USA) | Digital Futures by GBBN/KieranTimberlake 
#9 Jason O’Rear (USA) | Kresge College by Studio Gang Architects 
#10 David Spence (CA) | MÉCA by Bjarke Ingels Group
Photo of the Year | Non-residential – Small Project
Winner: Jim Stephenson | Nine Towers (for Jene) by Sol LeWitt at Kivik Arts Centre
Jim Stephenson is an architectural photographer and filmmaker based in the UK. His photography and films lean to a documentary style and he has cultivated a meditative process allowing for the agility to document the small, fleeting moments of people and light in architecture. While on assignment to photograph a house in Sweden, the architect recommended that Jim visit Kivik Arts Centre. Jim Recalls how on arrival, across the wheat fields overlooking the Baltic Sea, Nine Towers appeared. At the same time a storm began rolling in over the water, which is visible in the images. A combination of a dramatic sky, a wheat field in the wind and an architectural sculpture from Sol LeWitt, made for a compelling photograph. Jim reports that he did in fact get soaked shortly after this photo was taken, but says it was worth it and we have to agree.
Jim will be recognized with a trophy from AP Almanac.
“Stormy skies, tall grassy fields that remind me of wheat, and a foreboding lair in the distance. What’s not to love? Reminds me of the final scene in the Gladiator” – Valéry Augustin
Top 10:
#1 Jim Stephenson (UK) | Nine Towers (for Jene) by Sol LeWitt at Kivik Arts Centre 
#2 Pol Viladmos (ESP) | Concretehenge 
#3 Dom French + Andy Tye (UK) | The Eilean Glas Lighthouse, on the island of Scalpay, Outer Hebrides, Scotland 
#4 Fred Howarth (UK) | Pembroke College Foyer by Haworth Tompkins 
#5 Dan Ryan (USA) | Union 
#6 Rachel Ferriman (UK) | Towner Gallery, UK. Mural ‘Dance Diagonal’ by Lothar Götz 
#7 James Morley (CA) | Centro de Interpretación by Emilio Marin and Juan Carlos López 
#8 Paul Turang (USA) | Reflection pools World Trade Center NYC by Michael Arad 
#9 Jeff Durkin (USA) | Mira Mesa Music building by AMD 
Graham Washatka | YMCA Sturgeon Bay by Kahler Slater
Photo of the Year | Residential – Large Project
Winner: Hannes Heitmueller | Pergolenviertel, Coido Architects
Hannes Heitmüller is a trained architect and architectural photographer based in Hamburg, Germany. Hannes is a graduate of Bauhaus-University in Weimar where he specialized in the documentation of the built environment. Coido Architects commissioned Hannes to photograph Pergolenvierte in December when the area is covered in snow to minimize visual distractions.
Hannes will be recognized with a trophy from AP Almanac.
“Those repetitive openings in the minimalist brick façade draw you in. The similarly light grey colored sky above and paving below are out of this world.” Silvia Kuhle
Photo of the Year | Residential – Large Project Top 10:
#1 Hannes Heitmueller (DE) | Pergolenviertel by Coido Architects 
#2 Ines Leong (USA) | Herkimer Homes by David Cunningham Architecture Planning 
#3 Michael Echteld (NL)| The Sluishuis by Bjarke Ingels 
#4 Stephen Morgan (USA)| Padre Canyon by Studio Temperate 
#5 Sebastian Grundgeir (CH) | Suurstoffi by Ramser Schmid Architekten 
#6 Andreas Widityawan (ID)| AI House by Ady Putra Architect 
#7 Kevin Brost (USA) | Schumacher Residence by PHX Architecture and Simply Inspired 
#8 Shoayb Khattab (UAE) | House of the Courtyards by STUDIO VDGA 
#9 Dorota Yamadag (CA) | Absolute World Residential Towers by Yansong Ma of MAD Architects and Burka Varacalli Architects 
#10 Jim Stephenson (DE)| 100 Acre Wood by Denizen Works
Photo of the Year | Residential – Small Project
Winner: Jason Roehner | Telescope house by Wendell Burnette Architects
Tempe-based photographer Jason Roehner was commissioned to photograph this 1300 square-foot home which unfolds from itself as the hillside beneath it recedes to the east. The result? A perfectly framed view of Sedona’s Cathedral Rock with its rust-colored range glowing at sunset. Dark interior surfaces and minimally invasive lighting place nature at the forefront for the owners. Jason says that this was a rare project as it was both technically challenging and spiritually rewarding.
Jason will be recognized with a trophy from AP Almanac.
“The photographer has boldly and bravely showcased this as ‘a room with a view’, executing the concept with great confidence by silhouetting the interior to emphasize the breathtaking view beyond. This strategic choice not only highlights the stunning scenery but also adds depth and intrigue to the composition. The thoughtful inclusion of a subject within this setting further enhances the visual narrative, creating a compelling connection that draws the viewer in and invites them to imagine themselves within the scene. This approach demonstrates a commendable balance between boldness and artistic sensitivity.” – Gerry O’Leary
#1 Jason Roehner (USA) | Telescope house by Wendell Burnette Architects 
#2 Jordi Huisman (NL) | A gap in the dike by Broekhof + Schuit 
#3. Thomas De Bruyne (BE) | Into the Wild by Nathalie Deboel 
#4 Andrea Calo (USA) | TBD by Thoughtbarn Architects 
#5 Stephen Paul (USA) | Looking Glass by Rae Rockwell and Blu Haus 
#6 Alan Shortall (USA) | Lakeside Home by Amanda Norcross of Norcross Interiors 
#7 Ramon Portelli (MLT) | TBD by A.Collective 
#8 Kevin Brost (USA) | Wolfe Studios Residence by Wolfe Studios 
#9 James Silverman (SE)| Summer House by Harrysson Architect Elkiaer & Ebbeskov 
#10 Dan Francis (USA) | TBD by Benjamin Custom Homes