Architecture

Five modern buildings that will inspire you

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Modern architecture is rubbish. Actually, I don’t think so. New buildings can be some of the world’s most innovative, striking and inspiring creations. Here’s five that have made a lasting impression on me and are worth visiting. I’d love to hear your nominations!

MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART
DOHA, QATAR (2008)

This Middle Eastern waterfront building combines clean lines with elements of Islamic design. It’s become a must-see in Doha for oozing architectural cool as well as the treasures it houses. Classy, photogenic and Instagrammable. TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO SEE MORE

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

MUSEUM OF 21ST CENTURY ART
KANAZAWA, JAPAN (2004)

A building comprising of cubes, a great deal of glass and even an open window on the sky. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the space. It’s an unexpected feature of a city best known for its ancient history and genteel architecture. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE MODERN JAPAN

Visitors at the Museum of 21st Century Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan

HARPA
REYKJAVIK, ICELAND (2011)

This hunk of blue glass positioned next to Reykjavik’s waterfront is a centre for concerts and conferences. It’s a very impressive building to find in such a small capital city and is a photographically mesmerising from all angles. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE REYKJAVIK

Harpa concert hall, Reykjavik, Iceland

SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE
ABU DHABI, UAE (2007)

A contemporary place of worship but also a major tourist attraction. Its numerous domes and minarets make it stylistically the most traditional of these five buildings. But it looks shimmering and new while being very photogenic. TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO SEE MORE

Interior of Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi

BROOKS BUILDING
MANCHESTER, UK (2014)

A local building which first took my fancy earlier this year. It’s a faculty building of Manchester Metropolitan University, with a striking exterior which has many perspectives and alters in different conditions. Both the university and Manchester have their fair share of new architecture, which seems to delight and disquiet in equal measure. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE NEW MANCHESTER

Brooks Building, Manchester Metropolitan University

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Manchester’s sexy car parks

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Car parks are usually uninspiring, dull buildings. But Manchester has some that are totally hot… READ MORE BELOW

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Manchester’s New Bailey area is a new architectural development featuring housing, restaurants and other amenities.

And yes, multi-storey car parks. But they’re not the featureless lumps that usually pass off as car lots. One is encased in a compelling beehive structure, the other is a medley of candy-coloured stripes and lattice panelling.

They’re certainly sexy to photograph. And walking back from my shoot, I stumbled across another car park in the Spinningfields district, clad in a compelling metal of pink blush.

After this photo walk I needed to take a cold shower…

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Manchester concrete

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The Mancunian Way is a monumental slab of concrete that takes traffic around Manchester. Bizarrely, I spent a hot summer’s morning beneath its might. READ MORE BELOW

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I went to the Cambridge Street Junction, a large island which sits underneath the bulk of the elevated highway. It’s lined with trees and has a series of pedestrian underpasses enabling people to walk from the area of Hulme towards Manchester city centre.

These tunnels, plastered in graffiti, aren’t long but remind me of visiting London’s Elephant and Castle subway back in 2014. They’ve since ceased to exist, while these passageways show no signs of going away.

Even on a bright sunny day, this place feels desolate and unloved. There were just a handful of people making use of this vital connection and a few smashed booze bottles littering the area. It has a dark mood that’s absorbing to photograph, though I’m glad it wasn’t a dark night…

Manchester Metropolitan University's School of Business

This building, Manchester Metropolitan University’s School of Business, overlooks the concrete junction. With its sleek stripes of coloured glass, it’s a very modern contrast to the Mancunian Way, which was regarded as innovative and new back in 1967.

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Five Manchester places you need to visit

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Manchester. A large, cosmopolitan city in the north of England with a lot to offer. It’s always been popular with visitors (there are less of them in these unusual times) and the people that live here. Here’s five of the best spots you should definitely see. 

Mancunians: Please share your suggestions!

CASTLEFIELD

I’d be wrong not to start with my very own neighbourbood, just west of Manchester city centre. It’s set in the canal basin which is populated with colourful narrow boats and even has Roman ruins. Castlefield’s industrial heritage is now overlooked by the shiny new skyscrapers of ‘Manchattan’. It’s a popular spot with Mancunians, especially on hot summer days (yes, we do have them!) TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO FIND OUT MORE

View of Castlefield and Beetham Tower, Manchester

SALFORD CATHEDRAL

This lofty building is situated in Manchester’s twin city of Salford. The Catholic cathedral is less visited than its Anglican counterpart which is in the centre of Manchester. Its stained glass east window is just remarkable. Restrictions on visiting are currently in place, so you should check before going. TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO FIND OUT MORE

The East Window of Salford Cathedral

FLETCHER MOSS PARK

An outside space in south Manchester with a beautiful rock garden, wooded walkways and its well-known pathway lined with very tall Lombardy Poplar trees. A relaxing place to wander around which seems far away from the hustle of the city. TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO FIND OUT MORE

Tree avenue at Fletcher Moss Park, Manchester

SALFORD QUAYS

Here’s a waterfront location that’s been totally reimagined in recent decades. It’s now the home to a swathe of modern glass and steel buildings, not to mention Coronation Street, BBC North and The Imperial War Museum’s northern outlet. The area is also well served with bars and restaurants. My photography tip is to visit for the sunset and stay after dark for bright lights and stunning reflections. TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO FIND OUT MORE

Night view of Salford Quays

JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY

This beautiful piece of Victorian Gothic splendour is right in the heart of Manchester and instantly takes you from city bustle to quiet, hushed corridors. It’s one woman’s elaborate memorial to her late husband. It’s currently closed due to the pandemic, so check the website if you’d like to go. TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO FIND OUT MORE

John Rylands library, Manchester

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Agadir: Morocco’s resort city

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Morocco’s seaside city of Agadir was rebuilt from scratch in 1960 after a devastating earthquake. It’s popular with European tourists but does it lack Eastern promise? CONTINUE READING BELOW

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Agadir’s crowning glory is its long, sweeping beach and promenade. They’re popular with Moroccans and tourists for walks, football games and dipping into the frothy Atlantic brine.

The shoreline is beautiful, and drew me into the water with my camera to capture reflections and the sheen on the sands.

It’s lined with a dizzying array of hotels, including the Palais de Roses which was my pleasant base for the week. Yes, the area feels a little watered down, European-leaning and lacking the North African buzz and excitement of Marrakech. It’s easier to find a steak dinner than a lamb tagine.

Couple on Agadir beach, Morocco

A romantic moment on Agadir’s beach

You could easily spend a week lounging by the pool and wandering along the beach. But inland there’s a whole other Agadir which is well worth exploring. It’s quite a walk from the seaside but there’s no shortage of taxis to take the strain. 

The city centre is where everyday Moroccan life happens. And given it was rebuilt in the 1960s, back streets in the Abattoir district look like they’ve been there for centuries.

You have to visit the Souk el Had, crammed with produce, tourist trinkets and just about everything else you can lay your hands on. It’s heady, pungent and brings you that Eastern promise in spades. Don’t be too polite to say no to stallholders’ approaches, and be careful when photographing people in the market.

It’s also worth taking a taxi up to Oufella, the hill that overlooks Agadir bay and is emblazoned with the words ‘God, King and country’. The views are exceptional, although when I went it was unusually murky (typical).

I also went on day trips to other parts of the coast, but can appreciate why some visitors decide to take it easy and just soak up the sun. The choice is all yours in the city of Agadir.

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