An Ode to Women in Architectural Photography

August 19, 2024

On World Photography Day, August 19, we celebrate photography as an art form that allows us to explore the world without leaving our homes.

For OTIIMA, photography is essential because through it we can inspire, tell our stories and express our passion for architecture. We understand its power to transform architectural visions into tangible experiences. So, today, we chose to honour the art of photography by highlighting architectural photography and selecting a group of female architectural photographers whose contributions have transformed the way we see and understand the built environment. The fresh perspectives and artistic vision of these photographers have allowed them to elevate their work beyond mere documentation, redefining how we view photography and architecture and evoking emotions through their lenses. By highlighting these professionals, we recognize the value of women’s contributions to photography and architecture, honouring them for the way they capture beauty with just a camera.



Erieta Attali

The extensive work of Erieta Attali in photography is not one to ignore. She captures buildings while exploring the relationship between architecture and the landscape and emphasizing the integration of structures within their natural settings.


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    House in São Paulo

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    New Monte Rosa Hut, Zermatt

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    Paracas Museum, ICA, Peru

  • La Escondida House, La Escondida Beach, Cañete, Peru

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© Erieta Attali

Ema Peter


Ema Peter incorporates emotion and feeling into her photography with her use of geometry and light and, through that, she captures the essence and beauty of every building she photographs.


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    Mcleod Bovell_Black Cliff

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    TheLocalProject_Sea Ranch

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    HenriquezPartners_Cardero

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    Dialog UBC Student Union

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© Ema Peter

Joana França


Known for images that emphasize the relationship between architecture and its surrounding environment, Joana França focuses her photography work on capturing that harmony with balanced and thoughtful composition.

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© Joana França

Hélène Binet


Hélène Binet masterfully uses light and shadow to emphasize the materials and textures of the buildings, and by doing so, she captures the essence of the architectural spaces she documents, focusing on their atmospheric and emotional qualities.

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© Hélène Binet

Leana Cagnotto


Leana’s work captures fragments that correspond to focal points within a larger architectural context. She has a minimalistic approach to her photography that elevates details from mere decoration to independent forms and significant elements of a bigger structure, giving them a new nature. Her pictures are recognized for being vibrant and presenting architecture as a living part of the cityscape.

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© Leana Cagnotto

Brigida González 


Brigida is an architectural photographer known for her clean and precise compositions that emphasize the structures she photographs. She remarkably captures the geometric lines and structural details of buildings, highlighting both their functionality and beauty. Her photography brings out the elegance and simplicity of modern architecture.

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    Greiner Headquarter

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    Kult

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    FRIENDS

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    Sauerland Museum

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© Brigida González

Patricia Parinejad 


As an all-rounder artist who works in many fields connected to art, Patricia Parinejad’s photography focuses on architecture, interior design, travel, and wildlife. She creates aesthetically pleasing compositions while navigating the boundary between art and documentation.

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    FOM | Düsselford

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    Museum of 

    Modern Literature | Marbach

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    MuCEM | Marseille

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    Private residence corridor | Berlin

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© Patricia Parinejad

The contribution of these women to architectural photography has been immeasurable. They have brought unique perspectives that go beyond traditional documentation, offering poetic interpretations of how architecture and nature behave in the same space, and of how humans perceive, interact with, and experience the architectural elements that surround them. They will continue to redefine the boundaries of architectural photography and inspire others with their artistic sensibilities and remarkable photographic achievements in this field. 

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March 27 marks the anniversary of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. His philosophy, built on clarity, simplicity, and material honesty, continues to inspire contemporary architecture. His work embodies a timeless vision that remains as relevant as ever. Here are five key lessons architects today can learn from Mies van der Rohe. Less is More 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 structures that are modern and enduring.

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By OTIIMA MMTW • March 20, 2025
Scandinavian architecture and design represent a deep connection between nature, functionality, and the human experience. Grounded in a landscape of vast fjords, endless forests, and soft northern light, it reflects a unique philosophy and way of life. The Origins  The origins of Scandinavian architecture date back to the Viking era, when timber structures and intricate carvings reflected a profound connection to materiality and craftsmanship. As centuries unfolded, this reverence for natural materials persisted, evolving with the changing needs of modern society. The early 20th century witnessed the emergence of Nordic Classicism, a restrained yet elegant style that soon gave way to a more functional and human-centric approach: Scandinavian Modernism.

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By OTIIMA MMTW • March 13, 2025
Belgium’s topography is a delicate balance between history and modernity. From Bruges's medieval charm to Antwerp and Brussels's bold contemporary structures, architecture here is a study in balance. Minimalism finds a profound expression where clean lines, raw materials, and seamless transitions define space. At OTIIMA, we are privileged to contribute to this evolving narrative, shaping spaces where glass dissolves into air, thresholds blur, and architecture becomes an experience. In Belgium, three projects reference our philosophy: Villa Izegem, Villa P, and Villa V à Harelbeke. Villa Izegem | Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects Villa Izegem is an ode to minimalism in its purest form. Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects sculpted a space where vast glass expanses erase the boundary between nature and dwelling. The land breathes through the structure, light carving its way across surfaces, shifting with time. OTIIMA’s ultra-slim profiles amplify this sense of weightlessness, ensuring that nothing interrupts the dialogue between inside and out. The villa is not simply inhabited; it’s a quiet retreat where transparency is the ultimate luxury.

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By OTIIMA MMTW • March 8, 2025
Visionary minds have long shaped the architecture industry, yet women architects have fought for recognition in a male-dominated field for decades. Today, their contributions are undeniable, with groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of design, functionality, and sustainability. This article highlights a few remarkable projects led by women architects that demonstrate their profound impact on modern architecture. 1. Heydar Aliyev Center – Zaha Hadid  Zaha Hadid’s Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, is a remarkable example of architectural fluidity and innovation. The building features a sinuous, wave-like form that challenges traditional architectural norms, creating an uninterrupted spatial experience. Renowned for her bold and futuristic designs, Hadid proved that architecture can be functional and sculptural. The center is a cultural hub that embodies modernity and movement in its design.

Liu Jiakun Awarded 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize

By OTIIMA MMTW • March 6, 2025
Chinese architect Liu Jiakun has been honored with the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize, recognizing his contributions to contemporary architecture. This prestigious award, often called the "Nobel Prize of Architecture," celebrates Liu's work, which harmoniously blends traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern functionality.

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Mário Martins is synonymous with elegant architectural language that integrates contemporary design with the raw beauty of the Algarve. His projects embrace southern Portugal's unique topography, light, and atmosphere, crafting sculptural spaces intimately connected to their surroundings. At the core of his work is a dedication to purity, fluidity, and precision. This article explores three extraordinary residences where OTIIMA’s minimalist window systems enhance the architectural vision: Libre House, Voluta House, and Lioz House. Libre House  Perched atop a gentle slope, Casa Libre epitomizes the dialogue between architecture and nature. Its monolithic white forms contrast with the rugged landscape, creating a visual serenity that extends beyond its physical boundaries. The expansive glass façades dissolve the separation between interior and exterior, framing panoramic views of the Atlantic horizon. Here, ‘liberty’ is a tangible experience of openness, weightlessness, and a deep connection with the surrounding elements.

Vision 62 Series: Breaking the Barriers of Minimalist Architecture

By OTIIMA MMTW • February 13, 2025
The essence of the Vision system is the art of framing nature without intrusion. Inspired by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s "less is more" philosophy and Le Corbusier’s concept of the horizontal window, Vision transcends conventional boundaries to create a connection between interior and exterior spaces. A Revolution in Minimalist Design  Minimalist architecture is about purity, function, and seamless integration. Vision system sliding windows redefine architectural transparency by eliminating visual obstructions and maximizing natural light. Unlike traditional systems that rely on frames as structural supports, Vision takes a radical approach: glass becomes the self-supporting element, free to slide without dimensional constraints. The result is a panoramic window that dissolves the barriers between solid and void, between built form and nature. The frame no longer dictates design but transforms into a discreet guide, leveling out across the periphery and erasing all intrusive lines. The transition between indoors and outdoors is no longer an interruption but a fluid continuum. Read also- Less Is More: The Path of Minimalism in Architecture

845 Sea Ranch Drive: A Paradigm of Contemporary Architecture by The Warner Group

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Situated in Santa Barbara, 845 Sea Ranch Drive offers expansive vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Designed by The Warner Group, this residence showcases luxury interwoven with advanced design principles and the natural environment. Architecture and Landscape The home presents a subtle façade from the exterior, whereas the interior reveals designed spaces that engage seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Expansive glass doors and adaptive skylights eliminate barriers between indoor and outdoor environments. This design strategy allows natural light and ocean breezes to permeate the space while the elevated residence positioning optimizes panoramic views toward the horizon.
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