U15: A Photographic Series Blending Architecture and Nature

Exploring the Intersection of Urban Design and Natural Landscapes

The U15 building, situated in the new district of north Milanofiori in Milan, serves as the subject of this intriguing series. The structure's design, conceived by Cino Zucchi Architetti, maintains a continuous relationship with the surrounding greenery. Inspired by this concept, Marques and De Pascalis developed a photographic concept that intertwines the building's design with traditional nature landscapes.

What sets the U15 series apart is its aim to evoke elements present in nature from architectural photographs. The images exploit the building's sterile shapes in stark contrast with landscape stereotypes present in the collective subconscious, such as waterfalls, mountains, and waves. The result is a series that links two contrasting realities, generating a novel vision of the building where each frame offers dual interpretations.

The realization of this series required careful planning and execution. The artists intentionally overexposed the sky in their shots to focus attention entirely on the structure and its features. They preferred to work during the afternoon, with the highest luminosity, to capture dynamic frames while maintaining a minimalist approach. To achieve the highest dynamic range possible, they opted to work in RAW format. This allowed them to handle shadows, highlights, and sporadic reflections during post-production, maintaining a well-balanced contrast.

Marques and De Pascalis faced several challenges during the project. One of the major challenges was to capture the building from various angles that suggested multiple interpretations. They took numerous shots, trying to anticipate the final result while keeping the collective imagination of nature in mind throughout the creative process. The project required several months of work, including selection, association with natural landscapes, online polls, post-production, and final selection.

The U15 series is a testament to the power of creative vision and technical expertise. It not only showcases the architectural beauty of the U15 building but also challenges viewers to see beyond the concrete and steel, to envision the structure as part of the natural world. This innovative approach to architectural photography earned the project the Silver A' Design Award in 2020, a testament to its creativity and professional excellence.