While architecture serves many practical purposes—housing residents, bridging cities, facilitating industry—it can also be a source of great inspiration and beauty, astounding those outside of its walls. And, often, architectural photographers are able to capture those awe-inspiring moments best. Some have even been able to create images of buildings reflected in surrounding water for a mirrored effect, and the results are brilliant. From Ai Weiwei and Herzog & de Meuron’s Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing to the iconic Washington Monument , AD takes a look at some of the most remarkable structures around the world that are only enhanced by their nearby reflection in water.
Marina Bay Sands in Singapore by Moshe Safdie.
City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Spain, by Santiago Calatrava.
The Baha’i House of Worship in Delhi, India, by Fariborz Sahba.
The Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing, by Ai Weiwei and the firm Herzog & de Meuron.
Pont Alexandre III in Paris, by Joseph Cassien-Bernard.
The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., by Robert Mills.
The Taj Mahal in Agra, India, built by Shah Jahan and designed by Ustad Ahmad Lahouri and Ustad Isa.
The National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, China, by Paul Andreu.
The Falkirk Wheel in Falkirk, Scotland, by RMJM.
Belfry of Bruges in Bruges, Belgium, built in the 13th century, the architect is unconfirmed and still debated.
The Palace of Westminster with Elizabeth Tower (also known as Big Ben), designed by Sir Charles Barry (Palace of Westminster) and Augustus Pugin (Big Ben).
The Infinity Bridge in Stockton-On-Tees, England, by Stephen Spence.
