Architectural Photography and Scale: Human Figure as an Essential Assessment Tool

The incorporation of the human figure is one of the most effective tools used in architectural photography: it helps the viewer decipher the scale of work and assess its amplitude. While it successfully communicates a rough idea of the measurements of the elements in the picture, it also helps architecture become more relatable and accessible. People engage better with the built environment when it is populated, mainly because the human sense of society and community is the cornerstone of our civilization. With this in mind, we are showcasing a selection of our favorite photographs where the human figure takes center stage, enhancing our reading of architecture.

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Human Scale in Parks

Due to the size of parks and landscapes projects, it is hard to give a proper sense of the scale when taking photographs. There are a lot of elements that can help to have a better understanding of the proportions of an intervention, but capturing the space with people is the most efficient way to help the viewer have a point of reference.  

V-Plaza Urban Development / 3deluxe architecture

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© Norbert Tukaj

Public Park in Tlalnepantla / PRODUCTORA

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© Erick Mendez

Jaworznickie Planty Water Playground / RS + Robert Skitek

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© Tomasz Zakrzewski

Loop of Wisdom Museum & Reception Center / Powerhouse Company

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© Jonathan Leijonhufvud Architectural Photography

Azatlyk, Central Square of Naberezhnye Chelny / DROM

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© Dmitry Chebanenko

Human Scale in Public Spaces

What would public spaces be without people? Viewers engage better with a space when it is populated; and when they get to see the different architectural possibilities. 

Confluence Park / Lake|Flato Architects + Matsys Design

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© Casey Dunn

Jojutla Central Gardens / MMX

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© Dane Alonso

Vestre Fjord Park / ADEPT

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© Rasmus Hjortshøj

PARK PARK / Public City Architecture

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© Kokemor Studio

Haduwa Stage / [applied] Foreign Affairs, Institute of Architecture, University of Applied Arts Vienna

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© Julien Lanoo

The Surface Interactive Installation / stpmj

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© Jihun Bae

Park ‘n’ Play / JAJA Architects

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© Rasmus Hjortshøj

Human Scale in Pavilions

Pavilions usually are very expressive and artistic spaces, in which measurements and scales tend to get lost in pictures. Without a human figure, it is very hard to give the viewers a real sense of the size and use of these types of projects. 

Norway Tells Pavilion / LCLA Office + Manthey Kula Architects

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© LCLA Office

Reflektor Pavilion / Atelier ARI

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© Yves Bercez

Escape Vehicle #9- ICE / Studio Morison

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Courtesy of Studio Morison

Furniture Pavilion S and its Afterlife / Rooi Design and Research pavilion exterior facade

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© Feng Shao

AirMesh Pavilion / AIRLAB

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Courtesy of AirMesh Pavilion

Frame Pavilion / Menthol Architects

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© Anush Aleksanyan, Edvard Budnikov, Rastsislau Piakhouski

Human Scale in Public Buildings

Adding users into public buildings, not only helps to scale architecture, but also gives the viewer a chance to understand the use of a building, making architecture more accessible and relatable. 

Maya Somaiya Library, Sharda School / Sameep Padora & Associates

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© Edmund Sumner

Tianjin Binhai Library / MVRDV + Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute

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© Ossip van Duivenbode

House for Architectural Heritage / Noura Al Sayeh & Leopold Banchini Architects

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© Dylan Perrenoud

Tencent Beijing Headquarters / OMA

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© Ossip van Duivenbode

V&A Museum / AL_A

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© Hufton + Crow

Idea Exchange Old Post Office Library / RDHA

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© Tom Arban

Este artículo es parte del Tema del mes en ArchDaily: Escala Humana. Cada mes exploramos un tema en profundidad a través de artículos, entrevistas, noticias y obras. Conoce más sobre nuestros temas aquí. Y como siempre, en ArchDaily valoramos las contribuciones de nuestros lectores. Si quieres postular un artículo o una obra, contáctanos.

About this author
Cite: María Francisca González. "Architectural Photography and Scale: Human Figure as an Essential Assessment Tool" 02 Nov 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/875305/architecture-and-the-human-scale-the-best-photos-of-the-week> ISSN 0719-8884

© CreatAR Images

摄影中的人物,是建筑的比例尺

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