The incorporation of the human figure is one of the most effective tools employed in architectural photography: it helps the viewer decipher the scale of work. While it successfully communicates a rough idea of the measurements of the elements photographed, it also makes architecture more relatable and accessible. People engage better with the built environment when it is populated; the human sense of society and community is the cornerstone of our civilization. With this in mind, we showcase a selection of our favorite photographs where the human figure takes center stage to enhance our reading of architecture.
Hufton + Crow
V&A Museum / AL_A

© Hufton + Crow
Jordi Castellano
85 Sheltered Housing Units for Senior and Public Facilities / GRND82

© Jordi Castellano
Doublespace
Rabbit Snare Gorge / Omar Gandhi Architect + Design Base 8

© Doublespace
Adrien Williams
Place des Gens de Mer / Bourgeois Lechasseur Architects

© Adrien Williams
Koji Fujii / Nacasa&Partners
SOJA-O / KANIUE

© Koji Fujii / Nacasa&Partners
Hiroyuki Oki
UAH campus / Truong An architecture + UAH Department of Architecture

© Hiroyuki Oki
Nacasa & Partners
A Sake Brewery Addition / a-um

© Nacasa & Partners
Federico Cairoli
Cremation Unit and Ashes Temple / Juan Felipe Uribe de Bedout + Mauricio Gaviria + Hector Mejía

© Federico Cairoli
Junia Mortimer
Cachaça Museum / Jô Vasconcellos

© Junia Mortimer
Fabrice Fouillet
Currency Museum / Costa Lopes

© Fabrice Fouillet