Zhang Qianxi, the top winner of the Architectural Photography Awards.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"This truly global view the prize offers us stands as a reminder of the skill of architectural photography to communicate not only the image of buildings but evoking their atmosphere, usage and social and cultural contexts," says Croft.

Chen Li, founder and chief architect of Cendes Architecture, was the first and only Chinese on the judging panel.

The entries of all 20 finalists are exhibited at the TruSpace gallery in Beijing through Dec 25.

Cao Jian, founder of TruSpace, says he aims to showcase the importance of photography in the way that people experience and connect with space.

"I want to bring more high-level art exhibitions and show more Chinese artists' works to the world," Cao says.

The finalists' works will also be shown at Sto Werkstatt from Feb 8. Zhang will be presented with his prize and $3,000 at the opening of the London exhibition, titled Building Images.

Wang Yi, a professor at Tsinghua University's School of Architecture, says architecture and photography are two different art forms.

"Zhang's photo of the swimming pool is not mainly presenting the structure of the building, but it's an artwork that combines color, light and composition," Wang Yi says.

Photography translates the sophistication of architecture into something that's easy for people to engage.

"Photos cannot replace architecture, but they are channels to present architecture."