TITLE: A Quiet Space

The sweeping wooden helical staircases are the defining feature of the interior space within the Healthcare Pavilion Nest for Reborn at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Designed by Tohata Architects and Engineers, the pavilion draws inspiration from the molecular structure of DNA, with the staircases constructed from locally sourced timber from the Osaka Prefecture.
I was particularly drawn to the graceful curves and finely crafted detail of these sculptural forms, and to the way the soft, diffuse natural light — filtered through the pavilion’s membranous ceiling — subtly revealed and enhanced the warmth and texture of the timber.

AUTHOR: Mark Stevens (Australia)

Based in Adelaide, I am a photographer with a strong creative focus on the built environment. My work explores the aesthetic qualities of architecture through the interplay of form, texture, light, and structure. I am particularly drawn to isolating architectural details to create images with a sense of abstraction, often employing techniques such as multiple exposure, intentional camera movement, and image stacking to produce layered visual interpretations of architecture and its relationship to place.

My photography has been recognized extensively through international exhibition and competition success. In 2019, I was awarded the Qualified (QPSA) distinction by the Photographic Society of America.

In 2025, I received the Grand Master of the Australian Photographic Society (GMAPS) honour from the Australian Photographic Society in recognition of outstanding skill, talent and creative artistic skill in photography and was awarded the Excellence Silver (EFIAP/s) distinction by the International Federation of Photographic Art in 2026.
My achievements include 20 Gold Medals, 6 Silver Medals, and 5 Bronze Medals in peer-reviewed international competitions, together with numerous honourable mentions, certificates, and ribbons.