You have until 16 October to pick your favourite from these stunning finalists in CIOB’s global photo competition
Images capturing architecture, people and the relationship between buildings and their surroundings have been shortlisted for the Chartered Institute of Building’s prestigious annual photography competition.
The 12 photographs have been selected as finalists for CIOB’s Art of Building 2026, which celebrates the built environment and the people, places, skills and ideas that shape it.
The shortlisted images take viewers from the snowy mountains of Iran and the floodwaters of rural Bangladesh to iconic buildings in Seoul, Prague and Barcelona.
Feast your eyes below and go to The Art of Building to cast your vote. Voting closes on 16 October.
‘Aqualuna’ by Swee Choo Oh
Aqualuna Condos on the shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto, Canada. “It makes a huge residential building feel almost weightless,” CIOB judges said. Photographer based in San Mateo, California.
‘Ascending Geometry’ by Joanne Bird
Taken in Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul. “Bold, clean and just disorientating enough to make you stop and work out what you are seeing,” judges said. Photographer based in Exeter, UK.
‘Ice Flower Hotel’ by Maho
Hotel in the mountains of Shemshak, near Tehran. “The building does not fight the landscape at all,” judges said. Photographer based in Tehran.
‘Layers of Time’ by Muhammad Amdad Hossain
Historic monument, Somapura Mahavihara, in Paharpur, Bangladesh. “This is one of those photographs that changes how you understand a place,” judges said. Photographer based in Chittagong, Bangladesh.
‘Living on the Edge’ by Azim Khan Ronnie
Family home in rural Bangladesh surrounded by floodwater from swollen river. “At first the aerial pattern is almost beautiful, then you realise what you are actually seeing,” judges said. Photographer based in Kingersheim, France.
‘Muther Turm’ by Sebastian Szostek
Former rescue tower in Binz on the German island of Rugen. “A tower, a person, grass and sky. That simplicity is exactly why it works for us,” judges said. Photographer based in Wroclaw, Poland.
‘Pavilion of Enlightenment’ by Garion Chee
True Digital Park, Bangkok, Thailand. “There is so much repetition and order, but that single person at the far end changes the scale completely and makes you stop for a second look,” judges said. Photographer based in Singapore.
‘Sculpted Pinnacle’ by Tomas Salac
Prow of the Masarycka Building in Prague, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. “Tomas has found a viewpoint that turns the building into something between architecture and sculpture,” judges said. Photographer based in Prague, Czech Republic.
‘The Hidden Ballroom’ by Damien Walmsley
Taken from the Secret Garden balcony at the Library of Birmingham, UK – the biggest public library in England. “You think you are looking into a ballroom, then the architecture starts to reveal itself,” judges said. Photographer based in Solihull, UK.
‘The Himba Builder’ by Satya Maia Patchineelam
Building a traditional Himba conical shelter in Namibia. “You can see the building process, the materials and the person making it, all in one frame,” judges said. Photographer based in Niteroi, Brazil.
‘Underground’ by Jens Moser
The Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre on Faial, Azores, Portugal. “Feels respectful of this extraordinary landscape rather than desperate to compete with it,” judges said. Photographer based in London, UK.
