Building Stories

© Alastair Philip Wiper

British photographer Alastair Philip Wiper's latest book, Building Stories, published by the Danish Architectural Press, unveils the hidden narratives within the world of architecture. From nuclear test sites to the childhood home of Steve Jobs and the toilet of a deceased Albanian dictator, Wiper's hyper-realistic, cinematic imagery transports readers into a world where buildings take on distinct personalities, each with its own captivating story.

Over thirteen years, Wiper's lens captured the uncanny beauty of both overlooked structures and renowned architectural icons worldwide. From generic supermarket car parks in Denmark to top-secret government laboratories in the USA, and from the works of Marcel Breuer in France to the towering skyscrapers of Hong Kong, his photographs, created through long exposures of several minutes, exude vivid colours, evocative atmospheres, and a touch of dark humour.

“I want to bring viewers into a fantasy world where their interpretation of the buildings escapes reality, and people make up their own stories about the personalities of these buildings, those that designed them, and those that use them.”

Building Stories follows Wiper's previously acclaimed work, including Unintended Beauty (2020, Hatje Cantz), in which he vividly portrayed hidden industrial interiors such as shipyards, sausage factories, and particle accelerators. Wiper's unique perspective is underscored by his profound understanding of lines, symmetry, colour, and a dash of the fantastical. He delves into the machines, technology, and infrastructure that surround us, using them as a lens through which to explore humanity's needs, desires, dreams, and inquiries about the universe. Collaborating with renowned brands such as Google and Adidas, Wiper's photographs have graced the pages of esteemed publications like Wired, Vice, Scientific American, and The Guardian.

Wiper's prints are housed in collections of esteemed institutions like the Design Museum in London and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). His books include Unintended Beauty (Hatje Cantz, 2020) and The Art of Impossible (Thames & Hudson, 2015). Wiper has exhibited his work at prestigious institutions such as The Royal Institute of British Architects in London, the Hong Kong Science Museum, and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design (MADD) in Bordeaux, France.

“There is something curiously and unexpectedly satisfying about Alastair Philip Wiper's images of factories, laboratories and industrial facilities ... their colours, textures, symmetrical patterns and converging lines reveal a surprising -- if entirely accidental -- beauty.” - Oscar Holland, CNN

“Wiper’s photos (are) more than just eye candy. They expose viewers to the surprisingly stunning processes that meet their daily needs and desires—and in the process, might inspire them to think more deeply about their own consumption.” - Laura Malonee, Wired

click to view the complete set of images in the archive

Texts: Kristoffer Weiss, (publisher, Danish Architectural Press), Oli Stratford (editor-in-chief, Disegno)
Format: Hardcover 23 x 32.5 cm, 144 pages
Graphic Design: Alastair Philip Wiper
Edition: 1000 + 100 limited edition
ISBN: 9788774070108

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