Architecture takes on a whole new life when viewed with the right perspective, and the Artist Gallery Awards 2026 made that clear in truly memorable fashion. This year’s winners went beyond simply capturing buildings; they transformed structure into narrative, geometry into feeling, and space into a vivid visual experience.
First place went to Witsawarut Kekina from Thailand, whose photo, “The Golden Timber Structure,” feels straight out of a movie. In the shot, a solitary cyclist cruises under golden wooden beams at sunset, the repeating patterns forming a captivating tunnel. The mood is warm and inviting, almost like entering a dream woven from light and symmetry.
Anna Wacker from Germany took second place with “The Wave,” photographed in Vejle, Denmark. The building itself seems to move its curves undulating along the waterfront and blurring the boundary between architecture and art. The shot is minimal, modern, and utterly captivating.
Third place went to Alex Polli from Switzerland for “Elegant Spiral.” Taken in Zurich, the photograph features a staircase spiraling upward with a graceful, sculptural quality that draws the viewer’s eye into its motion. It’s proof that even simple subjects can leave a strong impression.
The Artist Gallery remains dedicated to showcasing both emerging and established talent, offering photographers from around the world a platform to share their unique perspectives. Whether amateur or professional, it’s a celebration of creativity, and this year’s architecture winners truly rose to the occasion.
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1. 1st Place Winner: "The Golden Timber Structure" by Witsawarut Kekina, Thailand
"A cyclist rides beneath a vast wooden structure glowing in the warm light of sunset, where repeating beams create a rhythmic tunnel of architecture along the waterfront."
2. 2nd Place Winner: "The Wave" by Anna Wacker, Germany
"Bølgen, Vejle, Denmark The façade unfolds in a continuous sequence, suggesting movement rather than solidity. The building reads almost as a pattern, repeating and shifting along the water."
3. 3rd Place Winner: "Elegant Spiral" by Alex Polli, Switzerland
"That’s an amazing stairways i found downtown Zurich (Switzerland)."
4. "Extended Waal Bridge" by Jeroen Lagerwerf, The Netherlands
"This is the underside of the "Extended Waal Bridge" near Nijmegen city, Netherlands. The bridge is shaped so that high water can flow through it naturally. It’s noteworthy that the entire bridge, despite its rounded shape, is made of concrete."
5. "Silence in Concrete" by Witsawarut Kekina, Thailand
"A lone figure stands beneath a vast circular opening in a raw concrete structure, where light, shadow, and curves converge to create a quiet, contemplative architectural space."
6. "Earsmusbrug – Rotterdam" by Juan Carlos Hervás, Spain
"Photography following FineArt edition of architecture. The objective of this technique allows a high contrast and the dark skies enhance the structures."
7. "After the Passing" by Diwakar Redhu, United Kingdom
"Often photographed for the steam train that crosses it, this image shifts attention back to the viaduct itself. A sweeping curve of concrete arches that continues to define the Scottish landscape more than a century after its construction."
8. "Twisted Tower, San Francisco, California" by Irina Monastyrsky, USA.
"The "twisted tower" in San Francisco is the Mira Tower, a 40-story residential building designed by architect Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang. Its unique, corkscrewing facade is made of spiraling aluminum and glass bay windows that are meant to reinterpret classic San Francisco architecture."
9. "Inside the Museum of the Future" by Nico Trinkhaus, Portugal
"Architecture turns into living sculpture inside the Museum of the Future. White shapes that flow, geometric cut-outs, and high skylights make the line between structure and art less obvious. A single sunburst adds warmth and emotion."
10. "The Umbrella" by Per Wilms, Denmark
"Is it a microorganism or a piece of modern art? One can´t tell until spotting the umbrella in the window, breaking the symmetry. Then you realize it’s a building. It’s a round office building in Copenhagen´s Nordhavn (northern harbour), standing 60 meters tall, called "Spidsen" (the tip)."
11. "Dusseldorfer" by Marc Brenzikofer, Switzerland
"Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, in blue, white and black, abstarct and reduced in color and sight."
12. "City of Art" by Marc Marco, Spain.
"360 panoramic picture of the Ciudadrealeña de las Artes y las Ciencias in Valencia."
13. "Leading Lines" by Alex Polli, Switzerland
"This is a detail of an internal staircase in a museum in Duisburg; the staircase was designed by the famous architects Herzog and De Meuron. The play of light inside the building creates truly evocative lines, as in this shot, inviting those viewing the scene and the photograph to follow the line."
14. "Flowing Horizon" by Witsawarut Kekina, Thailand.
"A striking modern architectural structure with sweeping, layered curves, captured in black and white, evoking a sense of motion, elegance, and futuristic design against an open urban skyline."
15. "In The Shadow of Eternity" by Diwakar Redhu, United Kingdom
"This composition contrasts the fragile geometry of modern brick and concrete with the Great Pyramid beyond. Framed through the density of contemporary Giza, the image captures how centuries-old precision rise beyond buildings that feel temporary in both material and memory."
16. "The Leanin Tower" by Frederic Blanc
"Capture the detail, and the shadaows of Pisa Tower. This day, the sun was strong,which enhance the contrast on the structure of the tower."
17. "Rural Chapel Axial" by Cameron Campbell, USA
"Outdoor chapel in the landscape at dusk on axis. Architect – ASK Studio."
18. "Amsterdam-Zuid" by Frank Machalowski, Germany
"The multiexpo series transforms familiar landmarks into dreamlike visions through analog multiple exposure. Layers of light and structure merge to create a surreal depth where reality and memory intertwine."
19. "The Threshold" by Anna Wacker, Germany
"Triangeln, Malmö, Sweden. This is a transitional space, defined by intersecting planes and changing levels. The photograph focuses on movement through the structure rather than on the structure itself."
20. "The Tension" by Anna Wacker, Germany
"Cactus Towers, Copenhagen, Denmark. The stacked forms appear unstable, as if held in place by balance rather than weight. What interests me here is the visual tension between repetition and irregularity."
21. "Time Guard" by Barbara Nichtern, Germany
"A dead tree in front of an aging facade. Two eyes of the same transience between wood and stone."
22. "Sculpted Light" by Jess Chen, USA
"The facade possesses a striking depth, with its metal design sculpting spaces that alternate between shadow and light. Sunlight streams through, animating the surface and making patterns come alive, creating a vivid and captivating interplay of highlights and silhouettes."
23. "Tearsdrop" by Dorota Qaid, Canada
"Staircase at the apartment building in Warsaw, Poland."
24. "Den Bla Plant" by Michael Echteld, The Netherlands
"Den Blå Planet is an aquarium in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was designed by 3XN Architects."
25. "The Twist" by Anna Wacker, Germany
"This photo focuses on the quiet drama of rotation and vertical movement. The building’s slow twist becomes a visual metaphor for controlled transformation – powerful yet restrained – revealing how architecture can express motion while remaining firmly grounded."
121clicks Editor’s Take
The winners of this year’s Artist Gallery Awards in architecture truly raised the bar, proving how impactful design can be when matched with a clear creative vision. Every photograph is a reminder that architectural photography goes far beyond simply capturing buildings; it’s about seizing the right moment, harnessing light, and telling a story. From striking symmetry to the sense of movement, these photographs reveal the hidden beauty in structures we often overlook. What’s most impressive is the careful attention to detail; each shot feels deliberate, with every line guiding your eye. Architecture photography isn’t easy; it takes patience, a unique perspective, and a keen eye for composition. But when everything comes together, as it does here, the results are unforgettable.
Key Takeaways:
- Strong composition transforms structures into compelling visual stories.
- Light plays a crucial role in defining architectural mood and depth.
- Geometry and symmetry create a powerful visual impact.
- Timing and perspective are essential in architectural photography.
- Even simple structures can become extraordinary with the right framing.
