#iwanbaan

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Ryue Nishizawa. Moriyama Houses. Tokyo. Japan. photos: Iwan Baan - for further exploration by SANAA Studios ( Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa)  of Japan’s contemporary society check out this book : The SANAA Studios 2006-2008: Learning from Japan: Single Story Urbanism. 

[nurgayretli]

Layers and levels, Adana and Tokyo, Anonymous and Fujimoto Image1: Samim Magriso Image2: Iwan Baan and finally the GIF by me.  

[archupnet]

Iwan Baan’s Exhibition at Princeton Offers a Visual Dialogue Between Las Vegas and Rome

On August 6, 2025, Princeton University School of Architecture opens the U.S. debut of Iwan Baan’s exhibition “From Las Vegas to Rome,” a photographic journey that bridges two cities from vastly different worlds.

A Visual Journey That Challenges Architectural Narratives

Running through September 10th, the exhibition isn’t just about stunning visuals — it’s an invitation to think differently. Baan, known for his raw and immersive documentation of architecture and urban life, reimagines Rome by viewing it through the lens of Las Vegas. The concept stems from the seminal 1972 book Learning from Las Vegas, where the authors famously compared the Las Vegas Strip to Rome’s historic piazzas. Here, Baan flips that comparison, asking: What can the extravagance of Las Vegas tell us about the timeless streets of Rome?

This view reveals Las Vegas’s distinctive grid layout and unconventional urban sprawl.

Two Cities, One Shared Stage

The photographs move between sweeping aerial shots and intimate street scenes, capturing the pulse of public space, spectacle, and human presence. Whether documenting tourists in Las Vegas or local life in Rome, Baan finds a theatrical quality shared by both cities — places where architecture serves as a backdrop for performance, power, and play. “In the end, despite their apparent differences, both cities pull us into parallel worlds,” Baan reflects.

This panorama captures the sharp contrast between Las Vegas’s urban footprint and its desert surroundings.

A Global Tour Before Landing in Princeton

Before arriving at Princeton, From Las Vegas to Rome toured several major venues including the American Academy in Rome, the Architectural Association in London, the 2024 Timișoara Architecture Biennial in Romania, and the Architekturgalerie München in Germany. The exhibition coincides with the release of Rome – Las Vegas: Bread and Circuses, a new publication from Lars Müller Publishers that expands on the themes of the show through photography and critical essays.

A Collaborative Effort Behind the Scenes

The Princeton edition of the exhibition was made possible by a collaborative team led by Dean Mónica Ponce de León, with coordination by Suzanne Tóth-Pál, graphic design by Noah Beckwith, and exhibition management by Kira McDonald. The fabrication team included Marie Baretsky, John Hunter, Sean Rucewicz, and Bill Tansley.

This image captures everyday life in Rome, emphasizing the interplay between people and timeless urban form.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

This photographic exhibition offers a layered visual exploration of the architectural dialogue between Las Vegas and Rome. The imagery shifts between dense aerial views and candid human scenes, evoking a narrative where power intersects with spectacle. While the conceptual framework is clear, the exhibition falls short of unpacking the deeper urban-social dynamics of each city, favoring visual analogy over analytical depth. Nevertheless, it successfully revisits a classic architectural discourse through a contemporary photographic lens, encouraging reflection on spatial identity in a nontraditional context. Explore the Latest Architecture Exhibitions & Conferences ArchUp offers daily updates on top global architectural exhibitions, design conferences, and professional art and design forums. Follow key architecture competitions, check official results, and stay informed through the latest architectural news worldwide. ArchUp is your encyclopedic hub for discovering events and design-driven opportunities across the globe. https://archup.net/cultural-and-educational-architecture-exploring-the-design-of-princeton-university-art-museum/ https://archup.net/from-las-vegas-to-rome-photographs-by-iwan-baan-opens-at-the-american-academy/ Read the full article

[archupnet]

This article explores the "Moments in Architecture" exhibition at the Vitra Design Museum in Germany, the first major retrospective of photographer Iwan Baan’s work. It discusses the exhibition’s focus on documenting global architecture, its emphasis on human interaction with buildings, and its spotlight on urban transformations in China. The article also examines the role of digital media in shaping architectural photography, providing details about the exhibition’s content and goals.A photograph of a modern organic building alongside traditional structures, captured by Iwan Baan.Overview of the ExhibitionThe "Moments in Architecture" exhibition runs from October 21, 2023, to March 3, 2024, at the Vitra Design Museum in Germany. It showcases Iwan Baan’s work as a leading architectural photographer through images and films. These works capture global architecture in the 21st century, highlighting urban and social contexts. The exhibition focuses on people interacting with spaces, and Baan’s photography reveals the connection between humans and buildings during construction or daily use.Exhibition DetailsInformationLocationVitra Design Museum, GermanyDatesOctober 21, 2023 - March 3, 2024ThemeDocumenting global architecture and human interactionDisplayed WorksPhotographs, films, and previously unpublished imagesHow Baan Brings Architecture to LifeThe exhibition highlights Baan’s talent for capturing moments that bring architecture to life. His photographs show more than just buildings; they document the people and processes involved. For example, he captures workers during construction or residents using spaces in their daily lives. One image shows Manhattan during a blackout after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, revealing the environmental impact on urban areas. This approach makes his work stand out.Additionally, the exhibition explores the influence of digital media on architectural photography. Over the past 30 years, digital images have become easy to share instantly. This shift has shaped building designs and turned architecture into a visual product. Baan shares his perspective: “The story matters most to me—it’s intuitive and fluid. I care less about the timeless architectural image and more about a specific moment in time, the place, and the people there.”An aerial photograph of a modern building with a perforated design, captured by Iwan Baan.Exploring Architecture Since the Early 2000sThe exhibition features Baan’s work since the early 2000s, showcasing images of traditional and informal architecture worldwide. For instance, it includes circular villages in China, rock-hewn churches in Ethiopia, and self-built multi-story homes in Cairo. These photographs reveal the diversity of global architecture and show how people engage with their environments in different ways.Baan’s images also present architecture as a dynamic process rather than a final product. Some photographs capture the construction phases of notable buildings, highlighting the human effort involved. Through this approach, the exhibition uncovers unexpected stories that unfold within architectural spaces, offering viewers a fresh perspective on the built environment.Focus on China’s Urban TransformationOne section of the exhibition focuses on Baan’s documentation of China’s urban changes, especially during the real estate boom of the early 2000s. His images capture the construction stages of significant buildings in Beijing and the lives of workers who built them under tough conditions. The exhibition also includes photographs of traditional Chinese structures, showing the contrast between modern and historical architecture.These images reflect China’s rise as a global power, as large-scale construction projects have reshaped its urban landscapes. Baan’s work emphasizes the human element by focusing on workers and residents alongside the buildings, bringing attention to their stories within the context of rapid urban growth.A photograph of a modern multi-story library, captured by Iwan Baan.The Impact of Digital Media on Architectural PhotographyThe exhibition examines how digital media has changed architectural photography over time. With digital images, architecture has become a form of visual communication. Photos of new buildings are shared instantly, influencing design and project visibility. Baan’s work excels in this context because it combines speed and precision with a human touch, making his photographs both timely and meaningful.A UNESCO report highlights the importance of architectural photography in preserving cultural heritage. It states, “Photographs can safeguard the memory of places and reflect their cultural identity, especially amid rapid urban changes” (Source: UNESCO Cultural Heritage Report, 2020). This aligns with the exhibition’s goal of raising awareness about architectural diversity through Baan’s work.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)What is the purpose of the "Moments in Architecture" exhibition?The exhibition aims to showcase Iwan Baan’s work in documenting global architecture, focusing on human interaction with buildings and urban transformations.Where and when is the exhibition held?It takes place at the Vitra Design Museum in Germany from October 21, 2023, to March 3, 2024.What makes Iwan Baan’s photographs unique?His images capture lively moments that reflect the relationship between people and buildings, blending precision with human sensitivity.A photograph showing people interacting with a geometric building, captured by Iwan Baan.Does the exhibition focus on a specific region?It covers global architecture, with a special emphasis on urban changes in China.Summary of Key PointsDetailsExhibition ThemeDocumenting global architecture and human interactionDates and LocationOctober 21, 2023 - March 3, 2024, Vitra Design Museum, GermanyContentPhotographs, films, and unpublished images of traditional and modern architectureSpecial FocusUrban transformations in China and the role of digital mediaSignificance of ImagesCapturing lively moments that show the connection between people and buildinghttps://archup.net/iwan-baan-exhibition-at-the-vitra-design-museum/ Read the full article

[artbookdap]

Architecture lovers, take note! Martin Filler has written a deep review of 'Francis Kéré & Iwan Baan: Momentum of Light' from @larsmullerpublishers @nybooks⁠ ⁠ "Kéré’s relatively small yet wholly original and remarkably cohesive body of work—fewer than forty buildings executed thus far, a number sure to increase rapidly now [ that he has won the @pritzker.architecture.prize ]—instills a feeling of enormous optimism about the uplifting new direction he opens in the building art for his people in particular and the world at large.⁠ ⁠ …Kéré’s emotional and moral attachment to his humble roots remains strong, and although one has seen other gifted architects morph from self-effacing aspirants into egomaniacal divas, it seems to me improbable that his head will be turned by the tidal wave of adulation that the Pritzker Prize inevitably unleashes. How judiciously he picks and chooses among the many offers that will now come his way—including such typical Pritzker-winner bait as condos in New York’s Chelsea and Miami’s Brickell districts, boutiques for LVMH luxury brands, and wineries for tech billionaires—will indicate how well Francis Kéré can handle the double-edged sword that is architectural fame in our money-worshiping, celebrity-besotted modern world."⁠ ⁠ Read the full article via linkinbio.⁠ ⁠ @kerefrancis @iwanbaan #franciskere #iwanbaan #momentumoflight #pritzkerprize https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc0kznPM4_u/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[formsyofficial]

Iwan Baan; Alesia Museum (2010)

[euanrutterart]

An amazing TED by Iwan Naan on disadvantaged communities around the world that have adapted to their surroundings with great ingenuity. Each of the communities are based in areas with no infrastructure and have used found objects and a lot of creativity to not only adapt to these enviroments but flourish and create mini cities in large abandoned buildings, on the water or living underground.

[architecturalrecord-blog1]

Weavers’ shuttles, birdcalls, buzzing bees, and the breeze: these are the sounds that architect Bijoy Jain says a visitor can hear in the protected courtyard of the Ganga Maki Textile Studio. Located in a grove of mangoes in the foothills of the Himalayas, in Bhogpur, India, the studio and factory are composed of a series of four L-shaped volumes arranged in a horseshoe pattern around the courtyard—the heart of the project—where a water trough is positioned to reflect a full moon. Adjacent buildings contain dining facilities and residences for staff and guests, a gallery and store, and a cow barn. Read more about this http://ow.ly/bI4Q30kCMnF Text by Laura Raskin Photo © @iwanbaan … .. . .. ... #india #BijoyJain #studiomumbai #landscape #iwanbaan #architecture #architecturephotography #archidaily #buildings #pocket_architecture #ig_architecture #archilovers (at Bhogpur, Punjab, India)