Iwan Baan
"For me, the people who use the space are just as important as the space itself."
Iwan Baan (website) is a world-renowned Dutch architectural photographer known for his unique approach to capturing the essence of buildings and their surrounding environments. Born in 1975 in Alkmaar, the Netherlands, Baan has made a name for himself by focusing on the stories that architecture tells about the people who inhabit it. His images are characterized by their human-centered perspective, showcasing the relationship between buildings and the communities that interact with them.
Early Life and Career
Growing up in the Netherlands, Iwan Baan was exposed to a rich architectural landscape that undoubtedly influenced his passion for the field. He studied photography at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, where he honed his technical skills and developed a keen eye for capturing unique perspectives of architecture.
Baan's professional career took off in 2005 when he began working with renowned architect Rem Koolhaas on the documentation of the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing, China. This collaboration served as a launching point for Baan, who went on to work with other leading architects like Zaha Hadid and Herzog & de Meuron.
Photographic Style and Techniques
Iwan Baan's photography is known for its storytelling aspect and a focus on the relationship between architecture and the people who inhabit it. He often captures candid moments and interactions between individuals and their environments, highlighting the human aspect of design.
Baan's style can be described as journalistic and immersive, as he prefers to document buildings in their actual context rather than isolating them from their surroundings. His images often include people, landscapes, and urban scenes, creating a holistic understanding of the architectural subject matter.
Career Highlights
Some of Iwan Baan's most notable projects include:
Documentation of the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing by Rem Koolhaas and the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA).
Images of the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.
The photography of the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany, by Herzog & de Meuron.
Collaborations with architects like Sou Fujimoto, Bjarke Ingels, and SANAA.
Photography Gear
Iwan Baan's photography gear includes:
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera
DJI Phantom 4 Pro drone for aerial photography
Photography Books
"Wang Shu and Amateur Architecture Studio" explores the work of Chinese architect Wang Shu and his firm, Amateur Architecture Studio. Baan's photography captures the essence of their projects, providing valuable insights and inspiration for photographers interested in documenting contemporary architecture.
"Francis Kéré & Iwan Baan: Momentum of Light" is a collaboration between architect Francis Kéré and photographer Iwan Baan. This book showcases the intersection of architecture and light, offering a unique perspective on Kéré's work and providing inspiration for photographers looking to explore the relationship between natural light and architectural design.
"Dudok by Iwan Baan" is a photographic tribute to Dutch architect Willem Marinus Dudok. Baan's images capture the essence of Dudok's architecture, providing inspiration and valuable insights for photographers interested in exploring the work of this influential architect.
"Brasilia - Chandigarh Living With Modernity" is a visual exploration of the urban landscapes of Brasilia, Brazil, and Chandigarh, India. Baan's photographs document the architecture and daily life in these modernist cities, offering a unique perspective on urban photography and valuable inspiration for those interested in documenting the intersection of architecture and society.
"Glenstone: The Pavilions" is a photographic journey through the architecture and landscape of Glenstone, a contemporary art museum in Maryland. Baan's images provide a visual narrative of the museum's pavilions, offering inspiration for photographers interested in documenting the relationship between architecture, art, and nature.
"Diller, Scofidio & Renfro: Institute of Contemporary Art Boston: Museum Building Guides" is a guide to the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, designed by architects Diller, Scofidio & Renfro. Baan's photographs capture the essence of the building's architecture, providing a valuable resource for photographers interested in exploring the design of cultural institutions.
Quotes
"I'm interested in the stories that architecture tells and the way people use the spaces."
"For me, the people who use the space are just as important as the space itself."
"I try to show architecture in its actual context, with the people and culture that surround it."
"Architectural photography is not just about the building; it's about the life that happens within it."
"I see architecture as a living organism, and I want to capture its unique interaction with the people and environment."
Legacy and Influence
Iwan Baan's contribution to the field of architectural photography has been significant and long-lasting. His approach to capturing the essence of buildings and their context has influenced many photographers to adopt a more human-centered perspective in their work. Baan's emphasis on storytelling and the relationships between architecture and the people who inhabit it has helped redefine architectural photography as an art form that goes beyond mere documentation of structures.
His collaborations with prominent architects have not only provided them with stunning visual representations of their work but have also enriched the discourse around architectural design and its impact on society. By focusing on the interaction between people and the built environment, Baan's photography invites viewers to consider the importance of thoughtful and sustainable design in shaping the world around us.
Iwan Baan's work has inspired a new generation of photographers, such as Fernando Guerra and Hufton + Crow, to explore the narratives that architecture can tell and to document the way people engage with and are influenced by the spaces they inhabit. As a result, Baan's legacy continues to have a lasting impact on the field of architectural photography and the understanding of architecture's role in contemporary society.
