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Pylon and beams for the new Hwy 44 bridge over the Saint Johns River at DeLand, Florida. Shot in an early morning fog.
The spectre of Gateway House, a vast 1960s 'landmark' office building in Finchley, North London, now in the process of being demolished. (Colour version)
Update: This building was eventually demolished in October 2015.
artist:DAX
PHOTOGRAPHOHOLIC
I born to capture |
(C) DAX ☆
All rights reserved!
Unauthorised use prohibited!
A mesmerizing downward view of a modern staircase at The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., this photograph captures the dynamic interplay of wood, metal, and architectural rhythm. Taken from the top landing, the image looks directly down into the stairwell’s geometric vortex, showcasing the elegant curvature of the banisters and the linear contrast of the supporting balustrades.
At first glance, the composition reads almost like abstract art. The sweeping curves of warm-toned wood railings wrap around the stairwell like ribbons, leading the viewer’s eye in a perfect spiral toward the ground level. The stairs themselves are built from richly grained wood planks, which add warmth and organic texture to an otherwise industrial framework of metal rails and sharp angles. Natural light from above bathes the entire scene in a soft, golden glow, enhancing the warmth of the materials and casting delicate shadows.
Every line in this photo has intention. The cool, metallic gray of the vertical balusters counters the warmth of the wood and introduces a sense of structure and balance. These metal elements echo modernist design principles—streamlined, functional, but aesthetically precise. The diagonal convergence of lines adds a sense of momentum, inviting viewers to visually tumble down the stairwell and experience the architecture in motion.
This space is not merely transitional—it’s sculptural. Rather than treating the staircase as utilitarian, the design elevates it to centerpiece status. It becomes a visual anchor in the museum's architectural language, guiding visitors both physically and emotionally through the building. There's a sense of journey in the photo—whether it's ascending to the exhibitions above or descending into another realm of artistic discovery.
The craftsmanship here is unmistakable. The handrails are not just practical; they are tactile expressions of design intent. Their polished wood finish gleams softly under ambient light, a testament to the attention paid to every material used in the building’s design. The sharp contrast between the banisters and the stairs creates a layered effect—each step becoming a frame within the larger narrative of descent.
Also notable is the harmonious blending of architectural styles. While the Phillips Collection is home to both historic and contemporary elements, this stairwell seamlessly bridges the two. It stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation, echoing the museum’s philosophy of showcasing classic and modern art in conversation with one another.
Subtle visual details reward those who linger: the repeating angles, the glimpse of the landing below, the offset railing sections. This is a space built for movement—but it’s also built for observation. The photograph captures not just form, but intention; not just structure, but experience.
In this image, architecture becomes art, and the simple act of looking down a stairwell becomes a visual meditation on craft, flow, and human-centered design.
HAW Hamburg
Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften
Berliner Tor
Hamburg
artist:DAX
PHOTOGRAPHOHOLIC
I born to capture |
(C) DAX ☆
All rights reserved!
Unauthorised use prohibited!
My first photo to hit Explore and Front Page. Explored #34 on 3/25/10.
Looking up a support cable on the Erasmus Bridge, Rotterdam, Netherlands. Switched to B&W after comments on the color version. Color version can bee seen here: www.flickr.com/photos/gautsche/4418912331/in/set-72157623...
Spuiplein met in de glazen gevel van het Muziekcentrum en Lucent Danstheater Den Haags de spiegeling het Stadhuis van Den Haag.
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Boldly curving lines and stark concrete dominate this striking architectural photo of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. The image centers on the museum’s inner courtyard and iconic fountain—now empty, exposing its deep mechanical structure like the gears of a machine—set within the circular embrace of Gordon Bunshaft’s modernist building.
Opened in 1974 and named after financier and art collector Joseph H. Hirshhorn, the museum is known for its radical departure from the neoclassical architecture of the National Mall. Designed by architect Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the cylindrical building’s clean curves and minimalist windows suggest an almost otherworldly presence—a concrete drum that defies convention. The brutalist aesthetic is unmistakable, yet softened here by the organic circularity of the space.
The symmetry in this photo draws the eye inward, emphasizing the sculptural fountain at the center. Radiating ribs in the surrounding stone direct visual flow to the middle, while the upper stories of repeating rectangular windows offer a rigid contrast to the radial lines below. The yellow “WELCOME” banner to the left and the bold “HIRSHHORN” text to the right add bursts of color and contemporary branding, anchoring the institution’s identity amid the concrete.
Visitors appear through the glass corridor behind the fountain—some pausing, some in motion—offering a scale reference and a reminder that this is a living museum. Their presence breathes life into an otherwise monolithic setting, illustrating the museum’s role not only as a home for modern art, but as a vital public gathering space in the heart of D.C.
From the moment it opened, the Hirshhorn Museum has challenged assumptions about what an art museum should be. Its architecture alone is a sculptural work of art—often drawing comparisons to a spacecraft, a fortress, or even a giant doughnut. The building’s shape allows for an uninterrupted gallery loop, with exhibitions wrapping around the perimeter and views periodically opening into the sky-lit courtyard.
The sculpture garden below street level further expands the museum’s reach, offering works by artists such as Rodin, Henry Moore, and Yoko Ono. The museum’s curatorial focus on postwar contemporary art makes it one of the premier destinations for avant-garde, boundary-pushing visual expression in the United States.
This image captures more than just a moment of architecture—it distills the very ethos of the Hirshhorn: forward-thinking, visually striking, and unapologetically modern. It’s a place where art meets infrastructure, where design becomes the experience, and where Washington’s powerfully traditional architecture gives way to fearless experimentation.
This photo is part from the album "The Movies Sessions" © www.carlvanassche.com
photos are based on existing images