Architecture, tourism, and media intersect in profound ways, shaping our perception and experience of places. This book delves into how iconic buildings transform into cultural symbols through the images we create, share, and consume—whether online or in person. Drawing on four compelling case studies—the Christchurch Transitional Cathedral in New Zealand, the Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia, Mona in Tasmania, and the M+ Museum in Hong Kong—this book examines how architecture is framed and reimagined through tourist practices and media representations. It weaves together theories from architecture, tourism studies, and media studies to reveal how buildings are not just physical structures but dynamic participants in global image-making ecosystems. Through immersive ethnography, visual analysis, and media critique, the book uncovers how architecture’s symbolic and material affordances shape and are shaped by social practices. This original research offers a fresh lens on how architecture operates as both medium and message in the digital age. It is essential reading for scholars and practitioners interested in architecture, tourism, media, and urban culture—and for anyone curious about how buildings become icons in the collective imagination.
