Minimalist interiors

The symmetry of composition first caught my eye in this image. Handrails, paving, lighting and the ceiling grid with its receding, concentric arches and converging lines all draw the eye into the image, towards the focal point at the end of the walkway. The high-level viewpoint eliminates visual distractions at platform level, whilst revealing the function of the building as we become aware of the train below. The monochrome conversion and high key treatment complements the composition, focussing the viewer's attention on the repetition of a small number of simple elements, a key architectural feature of many successful minimalistic interiors. In this image, the subject matter, composition, viewpoint and treatment have come together beautifully in a winning combination. Congratulations!

There is something about an image which makes you wonder what's just happened... and keeps you guessing. This is one such enigmatic image. What is the back story to this white room, empty but for an old, paint splattered ladder and chair? What is the significance of the glove? As well as firing the imagination, this image delights the eye with its well balanced composition, subtle lighting and tones with more shades of grey than that famous novel. It's one of those images that you keep coming back to...at least, I do!

With its focus on functionality, minimalist architectural design can appear brutal at times. For me, this images captures the rather sinister aspect of minimalism, as the viewer looks down on a single figure silhouetted against a patch of bright light entering the confined space from above. Will the person turn right at the end of the wall and come to join us, or continue into the black hole beyond the light? I particularly like the way the diagonal of the wall creates a strong dynamic, leading your eye into in this image. I also like how the dark outline of the human figure on the left contrasts with, and is balanced by, the more detailed drawings of fantasy figures on the opposite side of the image. The high viewpoint highlights the scale of the space in which this action is taking place, and adds a certain vulnerability to the human element. A powerful image, in my opinion.

Calatrava is one of my favourite architects when it comes to photographing buildings, and this interior of the Oculus transport hub in NYC is typical of his approach to minimalist design. There were several shots of this location submitted to the contest. However, this image stood out for me because it celebrates the soaring beauty of the roof space, whilst at the same time capturing the movement of visitors below. The inclusion of human forms helps the viewer appreciate the enormous scale of the space, whilst the movement gives the image a dynamic edge - very appropriate for a transport hub!

Whilst most minimalistic interiors seem to be painted stark white or have raw concrete surfaces, Apple stands out as a business which uses a different, but instantly recognisable, palette of materials in its flagships stores all over the world. This image captures how light bounces around a confined space, through the trademark glass staircase and off polished metal wall cladding. The colours seem a little oversaturated on my screen.. Nevertheless, I find the combination of cool and warm tones very pleasing. I also like the way the photographer has focussed on three main elements - stairs, walls and floor -and used these elements to make a simple but effective composition.