PORTUGAL — In addition to showcasing excellent examples of architecture from across the world, the photographs of Andre Goncalves encourage us to slow our roll as we travel and take in the sights. This isn’t a slight on any of the fine architecture he uncovered, but we imagine that in our rush to get to the next museum or make our dinner reservations, we’d speed right past some of these doors and windows. The trip would suffer for it.
Goncalves, from Portugal, started out as a computer programmer. While he was studying in Italy, he had a change of heart about his life’s work and decided to instead pursue a BA in photography at Lusophone University of Humanities and Technologies. He graduated from there with honors.
“Lisbon, Portugal.” Click to see a larger image.
“London, England.” Click to see a larger image.
One of his projects are Doors/Windows of the World. It’s similar to the work of German photographer Sebastian Erras, who posts Instagram photographs of his feet every time he finds an interesting floor on his travels. In an interview with designboom, Goncalves said he wanted to showcase the unique architectural characters of the cities he visits.
‘I always had a curiosity about windows,’ goncalves says. ‘like the structure of the houses, they change from region to region. I compiled the thousands of photographs that I had by cities or regions and ‘windows of the world’ was born. it’s a big evolution from the earliest windows that were only a hole in the wall.’
“Sesimbra, Portugal.” Click to see a larger image.
The windows and doors are far from being holes in the walls. Arranged as they are, we can start seeing thematic features between them. That choice also creates a grand sense of scale. He allows us to glimpse the depth and richness of these cities through one simple feature.
Do you love or loathe these photographs? Let us know in the comments.
“Porto, Portugal.” Photographs by Andre Goncalves. Click to see a larger image.
Add your valued opinion to this post.