Typologies of Industrial Buildings uses a systematic photographic approach to document architecture associated with industrial production. Bernd and Hilla Becher adopt a typological method, presenting images of factories, water towers, silos, and other structures organized by form and function. The photographs are characterized by their clear composition, consistent lighting, and neutral backgrounds, emphasizing architectural details over context or narrative.

The book gathers 228 pages of black-and-white images that emphasize repetition and variety within industrial building types. Each page contributes to a visual catalog that invites viewers to compare structural elements and design features, highlighting both uniformity and subtle differentiation. The Bechers’ work functions as an archive of industrial architecture whose forms impart histories of manufacture and labor, yet are presented in a detached, almost clinical manner.

Typologies of Industrial Buildings was published in 2004 by The MIT Press. Its precise photographic strategy and editorial layout make it a significant study in typological photography and architectural documentation.