b'colourf ul peoplefrom apertures to advocacyPhotographer Patrick Reynolds nds his voice after years of capturing architecture on lm.A fter years of silently documenting leading- German architecture magazines. I couldnt read them soAbove: Patrick and a edge architecture and interiors, photographerI looked at the pictures. recent favourite shot of Patrick Reynolds has developed a voice. QuitePhotographing the built environment was a naturalhis, of a design by a bolshy one.thing to do, a way of interacting with it, and markingHerbst Architects. Hes known as our original architectural photographer,the changes. I was lucky to be able to specialisearriving on the scene at a time when strong growth inarchitecture was a language I could speak. portraitJesse Carsonlocal architectural practices coincided with theWith his views on not letting our cities sprawl (he emergence of a robust magazine and book industry.gives a talk called Seductive Congestion), its no Now hes also known as an outspoken advocate forsurprise that Patrick is a fan of the small living movement. well-designed cities, and a member of Urban Auckland,Weve built these vast houses to cater for what we a society which monitors and comments on the qualitythink is a good lifestyle with jet skis, big TVs and 10 of urban and architectural design in Auckland.bathrooms but small and perfectly formed can be so Says Patrick: As humans we see value in being closemuch better.to each other. Cities succeed when they are compact,For now, he continues to agitate and to photograph. not sprawlingwhere there are diverse communities,Hes also working on a follow-up book to Big House, where you can age in place and not have to take to theSmall House (published 2012) with writer John Walsh motorways to get everywhere.due for release next year.His people-centric ideas for our built environmentAnd for someone with a lifes work and passion for also inuence his photographic style. Im doing less ofarchitectural photography, he has this fairly down-to-the heroic, monumental style of architecturalearth viewpoint: The camera is fairly poor at translating photography and have become more interested in thespatial volume to its two dimensions, not much good atResene HalfVilla Whitesocial aspects. Literally, I have more people in my shots. describing a buildings programme, and no use at all atReseneHe says he is sensitive to colour, and a lover of rawgiving the temperature, smell, sound, or feel of beingMatchmakermaterials, texture and dark shades although I do athere. In truth, photography is a beguiling but deceptiveResenegood line in purple clothes. road to architecture.FrozenHe spends some of his working day in the cave, a brooding studio cum living space at the back of the villa he shares with partner Maria and their three grown A s h uman s w e see value inchildren. As the son of two architects and with a passion forbein gclose to eachoth er.C ities photography, its no surprise Patrick ended up doing what he does. I grew up in a house full of Italian andsucceed w h enth ey are compact28'