Urban exploration is the practice of seeking out (and often documenting) abandoned buildings, feral homes and other run-down, cast-off spaces. We've featured dozens of photo shoots that capture successful urban exploration, and each one is equal parts disturbing, beautiful and somber. These modern ghost towns betray our addiction to all that is new and shiny and our temporary, consumerist culture.
Implications - Abandoned buildings in general has always been intriguing due to its mystique. The mysteriousness of these historical structures is fascinating due to its history and the stories that no one may ever hear of again. These buildings may look sad, somber or even disturbing, but after looking through these, you can't help but wonder what may have gone on inside the walls.
50 Urban Exploration Photo Sets
From Abandoned Building Photography to Feral Homes:
Marissa Brassfield — Jun 21, 2010 — Art & Design
49
Abandoned Celebrity Mansions
Mike Tyson's Old Home
48
Abandoned Shopping Malls
Brian Ulrich Captures Recessionary Fallout and Urban Decay
47
Modern Ghost Towns
10 Recently-Abandoned Cities
46
Feral Homes
Abandoned Houses in Detroit Become Feral Beasts in Summer
45
Clothes-Free Urban Explorers
Miru Kim's Fearless and Confident Photography
44
Abandoned Airplane Renovations
Clipper Juan T. Trippe is a Ghost Town With Wings
43
Unsettling Imagery
'Dyssomnia' by Andrey Rogach Gives Me an Uncomfortable Feeling
42
Humanized Urban Portraits
'(In)vulnerable' by Steef Veldhoen Mixes Models & Abandoned Buildings
41
Architectural Corpses
‘Stages of Decay' by Julia Solis Captures Abandoned Theaters
40
Abandoned Photography
Fabiano Parisi Focuses on Human and Industrial Waste
39
Dilapidated Hospital Photography
Reiss Cleal Captures the Abandoned Severalls Mental Hospital
38
Abandoned Man-Made Creations
'Artificial Owl' Website for Derelict Enthusiasts
37
Haunted Urban Exploration
Old Don Jail in Toronto Opens Doors to Sinister Past
36
Abandoned Building Photography
Visually Brilliant Derelict Power Plants Captured on Camera
35
Vampire House
Anne Rice's Rosegate Estate Sale + Ghosts Free
34
Isolation Photography
The Haunting Photos of Stephan Opitz
33
Creepy Urban Exploration
Abandoned Ruins by Tom Kirsch
32
Abandoned Bank Photography
Jonathan Castellino Revists the Bank of Toronto
31
Isolation Photography
Michel Rajkovic's ‘Nowhere' Features Abandoned Areas
30
Capturing Dilapidated Buildings
‘100 Abandoned Houses Project' by Kevin Bauman
29
Dilapidation Documentography
Jake Dobkin Captures the Real New York
28
Eerie Empty Suburbia
'The Space Around' by Gavin Stewart Explores a People-Free Landscape
27
Apocalyptic Railway Shoots
Antoni Szczupal Finds Beauty in the Desolate for 'Ghost Train'
26
Dilapidated Building Dance Recitals
Alexey Novikov Captures a Ballerina in an Abandoned Edifice
25
Apocalyptic TV-Smashing
'Post Nuclear' by Antoni Szczupal Depicts a Gritty, Edgy World
24
Life-Sized Dollhouses
Abandoned Farmhouse Transformed Into Giant Playhouse
23
Abandoned Housicles
The Ice House Detroit Raises Awareness About Housing Crisis
22
Derelict Psych Wardtography
The Exhibit of Spring Grove Hospital Shows Creepy Scenes
21
Couture Amongst Clutter
Freja Beha Erichsen Poses in a Mess for Vogue UK
20
Capturing Abandoned Abodes
'Deserted Homes' by Sigal Ben David Takes Us to New Orleans
19
Creepy Abandoned Homes
Abandoned Homes Become Popular on Facebook, Green Websites
18
Homeless Kidtography
'Abandoned' by Coral Fletcher Captures an Orphaned Child
17
Abandoned Urbanscapes
Empty L.A. Photgraphs Capture the Isolation of City Life
16
Bright Blue Doors
Lisbon Street Art Features Indigo Paint and Portuguese Poetry
15
Abandoned House Photography
'Island Feelings' Shows the Beautiful Side of Summer's Spoils
14
Choo Choo Churches
Communities Put Abandoned Train Cars to Good Use
13
Squatters' Rights Exhibits
‘100 Abandoned Houses' Keeps Spooky Homes at a Distance
12
Breaking & Entering Blogs
'No Promise of Safety' Showcases Urban Adventurers
11
Abandoned Real Estate Bus Tours
Long Island Foreclosure Tours
10
Derelict London
Alternative London Guide Website
9
Geometric Shape Photography
Georges Rousse Turns Abandoned Places into Artistic Geometry
8
Derelict Flats As Art
Roger Hiorns' Copper Sulphate Den
7
Fake Infestations
Helen Nodding Gives an Abandoned Studio a Buggy Story Line
6
Cast-Off Chairtography
'Abandoned Chairs' by Adam M Shows Rejected Furniture in the Wild
5
Urban Upcycled Lamps
Super Guppy Street Light Takes Upcycling to a New Place
4
Camouflaging City Blocks
Blue Buildings by Florentijn Hofman Attract Tourists
3
Psychedelic Buses
'Knitta Please' Uses Yarn to Decorate Abandoned Bus
2
Empty Pool Photography
J Bennet Fitts' 'No Lifeguard on Duty' Captures the End of Summer Fun
1
Ghost Town Canvases
'The Ghostvillage Project' Offers a City-Sized Work of Art
Related Ideas
Liminal Film Sets
A24 Backrooms Film Builds 30,000 Square Feet of Liminal Environments
Nature-Connecting Warm Apartments
Baranowitz + Kronenberg Designs the Urban Refuge Apartment
Contemporary Rural Dwellings
StudioAC's South Bay House Reinterprets Rural Canadian Architecture
Functional Modern Dwellings
The Maplewood Residence by Salem Architecture Blends Old and New
Historically Inspired Modern Homes
MU Architecture Balances Historic Charm & Modern Sensibilities
Barn Home Transformation
From a Forgotten Barn to a Peaceful Country Home
Rural Running Vacations
Airbnb and Strava are Motivating Gen Z to Book Run-Cations
Timber Modern Porch Pavilions
A Team of Designers Curate Porch: An Architecture of Generosity
Relaxing Residential Retreats
Inspatia Designs the Forest Within with Hybrid Sensibilities
Shape‑shifting Retreats
This Modular Off‑Grid House Adapts to Natural Sites with Expandable Walls
Limited Collaborative Streetwear
HIDDEN.NY x UGG Classic Boot Becomes Prize in Citywide Contest
Thoughtful Residential Architecture Projects
Hacienda Wabi by RA! is Situated in Tulum's Jungles
Agriculturally Inspired Art Projects
Almudena Romero is Working on the Farming Photographs Project
Preserved Modern Residences
Bellaire House Has Been Saved Through a Private Preservation Purchase
Architectural Community Spaces
The Street Clubhouse Forms Social Connection Through Open Design
Urban Assembly Forums
The RAM Assembles Shanghai by All(zone) Explores Impromptu Urban Life
Design Journey Picture Books
FormaFantasma’s the Down Under Traces Australia’s Eco-Design Story
Japanese Concept-Inspired Homes
Freight Architects Designs the Oku House in Singapore
Barn-Form Family Homes
The Twisted House by Andy Martin Merges Barn Form and Landscape
Converted Industrial Homes
A 1960s Warehouse Transforms into a Residence Honoring Its Raw Design
Rerfeshed Historic Workspaces
Daytrip’s Cloisters Interiors Boasts Modern Furniture Design
Ethereal Contemporary Workspaces
The Prior Ecclesia Project is Stunning, Modern, and Functional
Adaptive Family Residences
A 1920s London Home is Transformed into No Ordinary House
Black-Timber Overhanging Roof Buildings
i29 Designs the Senior Shelter in the Netherlands
Outdoor-Focused Residential Developments
Concrete Amsterdam Finishes the Fishtown Urby Project
Artistic Lakeside Retreats
Ely Retreat Blends Modern Cabin Living with a Serene Creative Studio
Minimalist Concrete Complexes
Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture Completes a Residential Project in Tokyo
Inward-Focused House Architecture
Inverted House Redefines the Boundary Between House and Fence
Eerie Walking Tour Experiences
Toronto's Exhibition Place Introduces 'Ghost Walk Tours'
Eco-Focused Family Housing
Rewild Homes Moves Environmental Design into Realistic Living
Simple Material Family Homes
Keshaw McArthur and Matheson Whiteley Designs the Openfield House
Modernism-Themed Residence Collections
Lindal Homes Presents its Evolve Collection of Homes
Airport Terminal Galleries
The NOMAD Abu Dhabi Converts a Terminal into an Gallery Space
Bright Residential Renovations
The Plaka House in Athens Reconfigures a Century-Old Building
Upgraded Historic Home Designs
Veinte Diezz Arquitectos' Vistalcielo Project is Stunning & Rustic
Japan-Focused Design Exhibitions
UQAM is Hosting Built Environment: an Alternative Guide to Japan
Cave-Like Exposed Concrete Homes
Suzuko Yamada Architects Designs the Nakano House in Tokyo
Renovated Rural Farmhouses
A Place in the Country Renovates a 17th-Century Farmhouse
Community-Focused High-Rise Buildings
The Journal Square Urby Was Designed by Concrete Amsterdam
Modern Dark Tonal Homes
Texas Residence Highlights Moody Tones in a Refined Mid-Century Design
Sophisticated Townhouse Interiors
Boerum Hill Townhouse is a Contemporary Take on Brooklyn Living
Creative Office Campuses
Mother’s LA Headquarters Echoes the Surrounding Streetscape
Inversion Living Concepts
The Tiny Getaway Explores Upside-Down Living in Compact Spaces
Historic District Hotels
Blue Architecture Studio Converts a Yangzhou District into a Hotel
Community Event Hubs
Annex House is a First-of-Its-Kind Physical Gathering Space from Usal Project
Adaptive Reuse Offices
Felix Lewis Architects' the Works Repurposes an Industrial Site
Clever Townhouse Renovations
Light and Air Architecture Design the Void House in New York
Contemporary Wooden Winery Designs
Foster + Partners Presents Legacy of Bodegas Faustino Winery
Staggered Modern Apartments
OSPA Arquitetura E Urbanismo Reimagines Urban Residential Living
Urban Regeneration Projects
MULTIPLE Architecture & Urbanism Presents Browning Industrial Park
Village-Like Museum Complexes
The Lost Shtetl Jewish Museum is by Lahdelma & Mahlamäki
Immersive House Installations
RAE BK Unveils Faraday Cage Exhibition in a Prefab Upstate Retreat
Lighthouse-Resembling Urban Buildings
Safdir Architecture Designs the Old Port Square in Portland
Ancient Gymnasium-Inspired Residential Buildings
Triptyque and Architects Office Build AGE360
Timber Screen Ventilated Homes
House in Corjeum Field by Atelier Roots Home Within Rural Context
Multicultural Bright Historic Museums
MAD Architects Designst he Fenix Project in Rotterdam
Community-Centered Rooftop Events
Heineken's Rooftop Revival Turned Building Tops into Social Hubs
Enigmatic Graffiti Incidents
Toronto's Museum of New Calls Attention to Mystery Graffiti
Futuristic Cultural Spaces
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts Blends Form with Civic Imagination
Rural Revitalization Projects
IARA Design and Research Office Presents the Rural Memory Museum
3d-Printed Vaulted Dwelling
Underground House of the Future Reinvents Cave Home with Brick Vaults
Exploratory Architectural Projects
The Polish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale is Thought-Provoking
Compact Urban Residences
The Stealth House by Specht Novak Redefines Private Living in Austin
Refined Urban Interiors
Primrose Apartment by Uncanny Studio Balances Sculptural Form and Comfort
Rural Charred Modern Residences
The Stanfordville House Bridges Vernacular Farming Cues
Inaugural Japanese Photography Exhibitions
Japan House London Announces the Invisible Exhibition
Refined Residential Architecture Projects
Min Design Tackles Constrained Urban Spaces
Responsive Light Museums
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi Turns Environment into Evolving Digital Art
Adaptive Reuse Gallery Projects
Atelier L'abri Design the FOIL Gallery in Montreal
Personal Nostalgic Photo Books
The Holy Ohio Photo Book Presents a Personal Return to Family Roots
Lighthouse-Inspired Urban Tall Structures
Safdie Architects Designs the Old Port Square Building
Urban Modular Outerwear
TNF Urban Exploration FW2025 Has Modular Layering and Architectural Tech
Modern Interpreted English Homes
Threefold Architects Designs the Eight Gables Home
Desert Landscape Residences
Juniper Hill Home Reimagines Desert Living Through Connection
Homelessness-Focused Architecture Studies
Architecture Without Borders Quebec Identifies Issues
Plant-Filled Home Renovations
Casa C Renovation by Max Von Werz Architects Updates a Historic Home
Layered Urban Houses
Jonoya by Masakazu Tsujibayashi Creates a Private World Within Osaka
Dark Timber Forest Houses
MORFEUS arkitekter Unveiled Solem Forest House
Sophisticated Government Office Designs
Agata Kurzela Tackles a Heritage Building in Abu Dhabi
Contemporary Weatherized Homes
OOF! Architecture Designs the Acute House for a Family
Architectural Photography Exhibitions
Encounters Denise Scott Brown Photographs Presents Archives
Toronto Healing Shelters
Anduhyaun Emergency Shelter Nods to Indigenous Traditions to Aid Recovery
Compact Corner Residences
MoDus Architect's Hometown House Reconfigures a Urban Corner Site
Gap-Focused Living Rooms
one-aftr Unveiled The 'Pavilion TEUM' Architectural Concept
Nostalgic Family Homes
Apartamento Relicário Celebrates Memory, Legacy, and Aging with Dignity
Farm Field Community Projects
Practice on Earth & Increments Studio Debut Down in the Clouds
Rustic Coastal Retreats
A Finca Style Coastal Hideaway Blending Heritage with Modern Warmth
Paranormal Mapping Platforms
Ghost Town Lets You Track and Share Paranormal Events Worldwide
Maturation Environment-Exploring Bourbons
Hardin's Creek Debuts the Three-Part Warehouse Series
Travel Photography Exhibitions
All Within the Detour Highlights Yoshitomo Nara’s Photo Journeys
Modern Multi-Generational Family Residences
StudioAC Gives a Historic Toronto Church a New Life
Rustic Striking A-Framed Residences
Jack Morgan Designs the Bold A-Frame House in Dallas
Surreal Photobook Releases
Podunk Photobook by Nadia Lee Cohen and Scarlett Carlos Clarke Launches
Rustic Seaside Coastal Residences
Espacio 18 Arquitectura Designs the Casa Tobi by the Sea
Madrid Warehouse Conversions
Burr Studio Transforms an Industrial Space into a Light-Filled Home
Barn-To-Retreat Transformations
The Amassa Retreat Reimagines a Rustic Hamlet as a Yoga Sanctuary
Humanized Waiting Pavilions
The De Wachtkamer Pavilion Reimagines Temporary Housing
Barn-Inspired Timber Residences
Florian Busch Architects Designs the House W in Japan
Modern Farmstead-Inspired Structures
MUUK Architecture's 'Le Pâturage' is Thoughtfully Designed
Speculative Shelter Builds
Asympta by Leopold Banchini Architects Explores Ancient Landscapes
Public Art Displays
Paul Anthony Smith’s Photographs Appear at 300 City Bus Stops This Summer
Startup Failure Archives
404tomb Documents Defunct Startups And Their Digital Legacy
Contemporary Monastery Stays
Eremito in Italy Allows Travelers to Detach Themselves in Isolation
Revived Stone Sheds
A Compact Stone Cabin Gains Quiet Charm in a Modern Micro-Home Renovation
Artful Home Renovations
Rude Haus Updates the Clover House with Upcycled and Vintage Elements
Historic Farmhouse Revivals
Jobe Burns Revives a 300 Year Old Farmhouse Using Traditional Methods
Object Design-Explorative Apartments
Apartamento Secreto explores objects that go beyond function
Restored Urban Homes
The West 84th Street Brownstone Conceals a 32-Foot Great Room
Cohesive Modern Workspace Studios
The Studio and Workspace of Unorthodox Designs is Collaborative
Photograph-Centric Museums
Jadriv Architektur & 1990uao Design the Photography Seoul Museum of Art
Courtyard Rental Conversions
An Old Police Station Becomes Nine Boutique Apartments by Wendover
Reflective Museum Conversion
The Hangzhou Empathy Museum is Transformed from an Abandoned Building
Thatched Roof Wildlife Retreats
Ma+rs Serenity Retreat Anchors Hillside Residence in New Zealand
Terraced Light Houses
House Under the Poplars Enhances Spatial Flow Around Natural Landscape
Jet-Black Sustainable Artful Cabins
Studio Bua Creates the Atelier Nyp Building in Iceland
Salvaged Materials House
Iris Residence by Tres Birds Uses Reclaimed Materials & Low-Energy Design
Reinvented Compact Living
An Affordable Housing Prototype Meets Modern Needs on a Micro Scale
Domed Shelter-Like Holiday Homes
Anastasiya Dudik Designs the HATA Building in California
Immersive Light Exhibits
Spencer Finch Exhibition Maps Time and Place Through Color and Light
Transformed Rural Timber Barns
The Fienile N Restores Rural Heritage with Wood Craftsmanship
Timber Research Hubs
The Anthony Timberlands Center Visualizes a New Heart for Wood Innovation
Forest Sanctuary Homes
The Sadowski House near Warsaw Showcases a Modern Forest Retreat
Farm-Like Courtyard Housing
The Erven Housing Forms a Timber Courtyard Space in the Netherlands
Renewed Kyoto Townhouses
Studio Aluc Transforms a Historic Kyoto Townhouse into Modern Lodging
Brutalist City Guide Books
Brutalist London Documents Post-War Concrete Landmarks
Old Mine Tunnel-Integrated Museums
Atelier XÜK Integrates Old Mine Tunnels into a Chinese Museum
Minimal Cork Residences
Atelier Local House in Valongo Rethinks Heritage and Simplicity
Adaptive Reuse Landmarks
Wyatt Builds Revives a 1900s Building with Modern Architectural Flair
Slender Alley Dwelling Revivals
The Brown House Uses Ecological Materials to Redefine Urban Infill
Sculptural Ruin Residences
The House of Horns by WOJR Fuses Ruin, Light and Landscape
Urban Bathhouse Spaces
Lore Bath House Introduces Sauna and Cold Plunge Facilities in Manhattan
Cultural Travel Stays
Connect With Local Families Abroad Through Adventure Homestay
Contemporary Culture Hubs
The Tselinny Center by Asif Khan Redefines Public Space Through Design
Compact Cottage Revivals
This Rustic Renovation Breathes New Life into a Tiny Village Structure
Weatherized Minimal Modern Homes
Splinter Society’s Coastal House Settles into Ocean Grove Site
Concrete Arts School Buildings
Visual Arts Building by Studio BLUR Forms Sculptural Volumes
Low-Impact Garden Dwellings
The Senior Shelter Offers a Connected Space for Aging Family Members
Compact Urban Cafes
The Chapel by Vinklu Transforms a Bucharest Lot into a Narrow Coffee Shop
Compact Stone Conversions
Figuier House by Bétyle Studio Alters a Former Agricultural Outbuilding
Commercial-Transformed Artful Galleries
New Affiliates Designs the Canyon Museum Space