In an era of constant stimulation, minimalist design prioritizes peace and clarity, allowing the mind to breathe.
Characterized by clean lines, open spaces, and a focus on critical elements, it creates a sense of calm and serenity, making it a captivating subject for photography. However, capturing the essence of minimalist architecture requires more than just snapping a quick picture. It demands a keen eye, a thoughtful approach, and a deep understanding of the principles that define this unique style.
Vertbois, Jacques Moussafir Architectes, ©Hervé Abbadie
Minimalist architecture isn’t about the absence of detail; it’s about highlighting the beauty of the essentials. Start by identifying the building’s key elements – the geometric shapes, the interplay of light and shadow, the textures and materials.
Villa Soori,Laurence Barnathan & Cyril Montaudon, ©WE ARE CONTENTS
Perhaps his most famous principle, “Less is more,” summarizes Mies’ approach to design: stripping away the unnecessary to reveal the essential. His buildings are characterized by clean lines, open floor plans, and an absence of ornamentation. This philosophy encourages architects to prioritize spatial clarity and material integrity, resulting in modern and enduring structures.
© Tomeu Canyellas
1. Heydar Aliyev Center – Zaha Hadid
1. Heydar Aliyev Center – Zaha Hadid
These elements are emphasized using negative space to create breathing room and draw the viewer’s eye towards the central focus.
Switzerland, Dupraz Villa
Light is a powerful tool in minimalist photography. Natural light, especially abundant sunlight, can accentuate the architecture’s clean lines and geometric forms.
Villa V in Harelbeke , Francisca Hautekeete Architecture, ©Annick Vernimmen
Experimenting during different time of the day can enhance capturing how light light interacts with the building, creating dramatic shadows and highlighting textures. Artificial lighting can inject warmth and drama into minimalist compositions.
Switzerland, Dupraz Villa
Mariko house, Japan
Lines and angles form the backbone of minimalist architecture. Architecture photographs use them to their advantage by carefully framing their shots. They lead the viewer’s eye through the composition, using lines to create depth and perspective. Exploring different angles to reveal hidden details and unique viewpoints. Playing with symmetry and asymmetry to create a sense of balance or tension.
Urania,3LHD, ©JŽ
Private House, Guy Hayon, © Bruno Lança
While minimalism emphasizes simplicity, subtle details and textures can add depth and interest to the photographs, Zooming in on a unique material, captures the intricate pattern of a facade, or showcase how light plays on a specific surface. These details can tell a story about the building and the design choices made.
Villa V in Harelbeke , Francisca Hautekeete Architecture, ©Annick Vernimmen
Minimalist architecture doesn’t exist in isolation. Architecture photographs consider how the building interacts with its surroundings. Does it blend seamlessly into nature or create a stark contrast? How do people interact with the space? They incorporate elements of the environment into their composition to add context and tell a more complete story.
Mariko house, Japan
Capturing the beauty of minimalist architecture is a journey of discovery. By understanding the core principles of the style, experimenting with light and composition, and paying close attention to detail, photographs can create aesthetically pleasing and thought-provoking photographs.
