Hues Of The Future 建築攝影 by Sara Gaafar is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 銅獎 in 攝影設計 Competition Category.

銅攝影· 2025

Hues Of The Future 建築攝影

by Sara Gaafar

Client: GLC Paints

A' Design Award 銅獎 Winner in 攝影 Category

43,940

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #170401

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Hues Of The Future 建築攝影

《未來色調》係一系列建築攝影作品,拍攝於埃及開羅第二屆開羅設計週期間,在Ghernata Palace舉行嘅一場展覽。呢個展覽透過六位埃及設計師創作嘅四個展館——Brutifully Forward、Ha-beita、Reserva 77同Casino Central,呈現咗GLC Paints嘅2024年色彩趨勢。呢啲展館以木材、石膏板同油漆建造而成。攝影師使用全片幅相機同移軸鏡頭嚟控制透視效果,同時運用包圍曝光技巧,平衡由大型開口同反光表面所產生嘅強烈對比。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銅獎

Hues Of The Future 建築攝影是 A' Design Award 銅獎得主，這是授予以創造力、獨創性和敏銳見長的傑出設計的極具聲望的認可。銅獎得主是技藝嫻熟、創意驚人的作品，印證了其設計師豐富的經驗、想像力與機智。預計Hues Of The Future 建築攝影將成為一件備受推崇、令人欽佩且被珍愛的物品，兼具顯著的專業性與創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銅獎的設計融入藝術、科學、設計和技術領域的最佳實踐，並因注重細節而出類拔萃。Hues Of The Future 建築攝影出色地滿足需求，觸動渴望，迷住情感，並吸引好奇心。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: GLC Paints unveiled its 2024 color trends at Cairo Design Week, showcasing the creations of six Egyptian designers. The exhibition, titled "Hues of the Future," aimed to express aspirations for the ideal home in a century. The project featured four pavilions: Brutifully Forward, Ha-beit'a, Reserva 77 and Casino Central.
Dimensions & Packaging: For this project, the architectural photography was executed with a meticulous approach to composition, lighting, and detail to authentically capture the design vision.
1. Equipment and Technical Setup:
- High-resolution full-frame camera to ensure clarity and depth.
- Tilt-shift lenses for precise perspective control and distortion-free architectural shots.
- Tripod and remote shutter release for stability and consistency in framing.
2. Lighting and Exposure:
- Natural and artificial lighting balanced to highlight textures, materials, and spatial depth.
Bracketing technique was used to manage high-contrast areas.
- Long exposure shots for enhanced clarity and rich color rendering.
3. Image Processing and Editing:
- RAW image processing for maximum detail retention.
- Color correction to accurately reflect the project’s materiality and GLC Paints’ color selections.
- Retouching to refine details while maintaining the authenticity of the space.
4. Dimensions and Output:
- High resolution images optimized for print, digital media, and large-scale displays.
- Aspect ratios and framing tailored to editorial and marketing needs.
- Final deliverables include web-optimized and full-resolution files.

This structured approach ensured that the architectural essence, materiality, and spatial experience of Hues of the Future were preserved and communicated effectively through photography.
Tags: Architecture, Interior, Futuristic, Nostalgic, Colors
Production Technology: The designs were crafted using a combination of wood, gypsum board, and paint, creating dynamic yet functional spaces. Wood was used extensively for structural elements and intricate detailing, adding warmth and a natural feel to each pavilion. Gypsum board allowed for smooth, sculpted surfaces and creative geometric forms, shaping the futuristic yet nostalgic aesthetics. GLC Paints played a crucial role in bringing each vision to life, with carefully selected colors and finishes enhancing textures, depth, and atmosphere across the installations
Design Challenge: One of the biggest challenges during the photography of Hues of the Future was balancing light conditions across the different pavilions. The use of large openings and reflective surfaces created strong contrasts, requiring precise exposure control to retain details in both highlights and shadows. To overcome this, bracketing technique was applied, ensuring a balanced and true to life representation of materials and colors.

Another challenge was capturing the full spatial experience while maintaining the intended design perspectives. Given the intricate details and varying scales of the installations, a tilt-shift lens was used to correct distortions and preserve architectural integrity. Additionally, the dynamic flow of visitors interacting with the spaces required careful timing and framing to highlight human engagement without disrupting the composition.

Post-production also played a crucial role in refining textures and ensuring that GLC Paints’ color selections were accurately represented, overcoming any shifts caused by lighting variations. Through technical expertise, adaptive shooting methods, and meticulous editing, these challenges were successfully mastered, delivering a visually compelling and immersive photographic narrative.
Research: The architectural photography for Hues of the Future was informed by in-depth research on spatial perception, material interaction, and lighting behavior. A study of natural and artificial light effects guided the approach to capturing depth, texture, and ambiance, ensuring that the materials wood, gypsum board, and paint were represented authentically. Research into visual storytelling and human centric architectural photography influenced framing techniques, emphasizing openness, movement, and interaction within the spaces. Additionally, analysis of reflective surfaces, color psychology, and futuristic design trends helped in translating the designers’ vision into compelling visual narratives. Findings from this research were applied in composition, exposure settings, and post-production to enhance the clarity and emotional impact of the imagery, aligning with the project’s conceptual and aesthetic goals.
Inspiration: The fusion of history and future in Hues of the Future was my main inspiration. Photographing this project meant capturing how each pavilion redefined home a century ahead while embracing nostalgia, nature, and community. I was drawn to the interplay of textures, materials, and light. How reflections, openings, and shadows shaped immersive experiences. My vision was to translate these bold concepts into frames that evoke emotion, storytelling, and the human essence within architecture.
Project Duration: The project took place through Cairo Design Week 2nd edition in Ghernata Palace, Cairo, Egypt. From 23rd of February to 2nd of March 2024.
Operation Flow: The project’s operation and flow were designed to create a seamless interaction between spaces, materials, and visitors. Each pavilion was strategically positioned to encourage movement and exploration, with open pathways connecting the installations. Interaction was key, natural light, reflective surfaces, and bold colors engaged visitors, inviting them to experience the spaces dynamically rather than passively observing.