100 Most Unique Buildings In The World
1:21 AM EST 12/6/2023 by Carl Velasco
Edificio Mirador, Spain
Some architects are so skilled that they make their job look so easy. Take the Edificio Mirador in Madrid, Spain, for example, which is what looks like when you stack larger-than-life-sized Lego blocks on top of each other — as if it’s that easy.
Make no mistake, however. This architectural marvel was designed by top Dutch architects from the MVRDV studio, together with Spanish architect Blanca Lleó, who have managed to design something rigid but also somehow sleek and easy on the eyes. Plus, what makes it even more unique is the rectangular gap in the middle, which prevents the whole structure from looking to monolithic and plain. Don’t forget to stop by the Sanchinarro neighborhood the next time you’re in Spain to catch this stunning piece of work.
Edificio Mirador, Spain
Some architects are so skilled that they make their job look so easy. Take the Edificio Mirador in Madrid, Spain, for example, which is what looks like when you stack larger-than-life-sized Lego blocks on top of each other — as if it’s that easy.
Make no mistake, however. This architectural marvel was designed by top Dutch architects from the MVRDV studio, together with Spanish architect Blanca Lleó, who have managed to design something rigid but also somehow sleek and easy on the eyes. Plus, what makes it even more unique is the rectangular gap in the middle, which prevents the whole structure from looking to monolithic and plain. Don’t forget to stop by the Sanchinarro neighborhood the next time you’re in Spain to catch this stunning piece of work.
Indira Gandhi Planetarium, India
This astonishing, almost surreal building can be found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Built in 1993, the Indira Gandhi Planetarium is an example of a concept called architecture parlante, where the design of the building speaks of its function. In this case, the planetarium is shaped liked a planet with multiple rings surrounding it at various heights, clearly indicating what the building is all about. It’s majestic, inspiring, and literally out of this world, which is perfect because that’s what a planetarium should be: a reminder of the distances, planes, and far-away places humans can only dream of reaching.
Krzywy Domek Or The Crooked House, Poland
The Crooked House, designed by architectural firm Szotyńscy & Zaleski, violates all the rules in architecture and as a result becomes something utterly unique. It’s what a building would look like if you put it in front of a funhouse mirror, all wavy and shapeless. More commonly known as Krzywy Domek in its home country, the building is located in Sopot, Poland, and was built in 2004, measuring about 4,000 square meters. In conceptualizing the building, the designers were inspired by fairytale illustrations of Jan Marcin Szancer and Per Dahlberg, whose works often feature warped castles, villages, roads, and more.
The Dancing House, Czech Republic
Much like the Krzywy Domek in Poland, the Dancing House in Prague, Czech Republic, is also something of a mind trick — a play on perspective that challenges the conventions of shape, form, and structure. Officially known as the Nationale-Nederlanden building, this was designed by Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić and Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. The centerpiece, a “dancing” edifice, is made up of 99 concrete panels each with different shapes and dimensions. If you can’t go to Czech Republic just yet, the Dancing House also appears on a gold 2,000 koruna coin issued by the Czech National Bank. Or just marvel in amazement by looking up pictures online.
Santa Monica Civic Center Parking Structure, United States
Who said parking buildings have to look dull and unseemly? This one, located in Santa Monica, is probably one of the coolest and most colorful parking spots in the world. It’s also an example of the California city’s commitment to sustainable energy, given that the parking structure uses natural light and inexpensive fluorescent fixtures to allow efficient lighting and cut down on energy costs. At 300,000 square feet, the building provides 882 parking spaces accommodated in six levels above grade and two levels below grade. There’s even a meeting room on the fifth floor that offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the city.
Montaña Mágica Lodge, Chile
Located deep in one of Chile’s forests is an exclusive hotel that’s part of the Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve, a ecotourism project of Southern Chile that was created in 1999 as a means of conserving wildlife and bolstering tourism. One of the most striking locations in this reserve is the Montaña Mágica Lodge, a volcano-shaped ecolodge that features furniture crafted from tree trunks. There are only nine rooms available for occupancy inside this water-spewing volcano, but the rooms don’t have TVs. Why watch TV if you’re staying in the heart of the Patagonian Rainforest, which is every bit as lush, magical, and breathtaking as the pictures depict.
Waldspirale, Germany
The Hundertwasser Building, or known in English the Forest Spiral, is a residential building complex planned and implemented by iconic German architect Heinz M. Springmann. Like The Dancing House and The Crooked House, this building challenges notions of form, space, and shape. As you can see, the windows appear as if they’re out of place, seemingly dangling outside their supposed lines. Though Springmann was the main architect, it was renowned Austrian-New Zealand artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser who thought of the overall concept. The 12-floor building, completed in 2000, has 105 apartments in total, an inner courtyard, a children’s playground, and even its own artificial lake.
Milwaukee Art Museum, United States
The The Milwaukee Art Museum in Wisconsin consists of three buildings: the War Memorial Center, the Kahler Building, and the Quadracci Pavilion. They were designed by Eero Saarinen, David Kahler, and Santiago Calatrava, respectively.
The museum, which overlooks Lake Michigan, collects 30,000 works of art and claims to have over 350,000 visitors per year. At 341,000 square feet, the building resembles a giant and complex sailboat, especially thanks to its pointy upper structures that look similar to a ship’s mainmast. One of the main centerpieces inside is the Windhover Hall, with its windows reaching out into the harbor, allowing natural light to come in. Perhaps one of the most striking elements of the structure is its movable sun screen, which adjusts to monitor light and comfort levels inside the museum.
The Building C, Norway
Like the aforementioned Edificio Mirador, this building in Oslo, Norway, contains elements of rigidity and sleekness, though it doesn’t look dull and uninspired. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Designed by Norwegian firm Dark Arkitekter, the C-Building is part of the DNB Headquarters, with fifteen floors that mix offices and public services. Located on the two top floors is a restaurant and a bar, with a stunning 360-degree view on the roof terrace. If the Edificio Mirador is made of giant Lego blocks, think of the C-Building as Tetris blocks dovetailed together to create a mesmerizing building. They’re a little more sophisticated than just Tetris blocks, though: the facade’s materials are actually made of glass and dark gray glass fiber reinforced concrete cassettes.
Singapore Pavilion, Singapore
The Singapore Pavilion was the country’s showcase at the World Expo 2010, an international trade and exposition event. Resembling a music box, the building aimed to represent Singaporean citizens from different cultures and backgrounds living in unified harmony. More than that, it also showcased the country’s achievements in urban planning, water technology, and environmental services. What’s more, it served as a demonstration of the country’s ability to offer a compact but high-quality environment where people can still live, work, and play even within limited spaces. There’s also a rooftop called “A Garden in the Sky” that’s meant to recapture what it’s like to live in a garden city.
The Torre Galatea Figueras Or The Dalí Theatre and Museum, Spain
The Torre Galatea Figueras houses and honors the work of iconic Spanish artist Salvador Dali, and the building perfectly captures much of his work, which has often been described as surreal and bizarre. Lined along the roofline are giant egg sculptures — what could be a more perfect indication that the museum is as bonkers as the person it champions?
The tower, Torre Galatea, was named after Dali’s deceased wife, and Dali lived there until his death in 1989. He is buried inside the museum in a crypt below the stage. Dali always wanted his own museum to be as surreal and theatrical as his works, and thankfully, architects Joaquim de Ros i Ramis and Alexandre Bonaterra did as such.
Lotus Temple, India
Located in New Delhi, the Lotus Temple is a Bahá'í House of Worship made up of 27 petal-like structures that form a giant Lotus flower, hence the name. It features nine sides, nine doors, and can accommodate up to 2,500 visitors. Interestingly, the surface of its petals are made of white marble taken from Mount Pentelicus in Greece, which is the same material the Greeks used to build the Parthenon. Like all Bahá'í Houses of Worship, the building is open to all religions or backgrounds. It is a hugely popular attraction and landmark that’s known all over the world. At one time, it was the most visited building on Earth, according to a CNN report.
50Hertz Headquarters, Germany
In the heart of Berlin is the 50Hertz Headquarters, which perfectly blends straight lines and diagonal trestles to form a multi-dimensional structure. The genius building looks both precarious and sturdy at the same time — the uneven spacing makes it look as if it’s going to fall, but the diagonal beams, arranged asymmetrically, provide a stunning complement to the panoramic glass windows on every floor. The concrete composite columns allow for column-free interior spaces alongside the facade, which enable a flexible utilization of interior space. It was designed by LOVE architecture and urbanism and was the winning proposal out of 18 architectural firms.
Toilet-Shaped House, South Korea
Sim Jae-duck, also known as Mr. Toilet house, was born inside the toilet of his mother’s home. So he wanted to create a building shaped like a toilet to honor his history, but also in celebration of the World Toilet Association. Architect Go Gi-woong designed the building, and it was officially completed in November 2007.
The building’s mission is to stress the importance of toilets to humans, and even though Jae-duck is no longer alive, his principles are still upheld in the present time.
In 2010, the facility was opened to the public for free as an attempt to reach more people. These days, the facility hosts various kinds of exhibitions related to toilet and sometimes — poop.
The Basket Building, United States
Another example of architecture parlante, The Basket Building in Ohio, United States, was home to Longaberger employees, once a manufacturer and distributor of handcrafted maple wood baskets and other home and lifestyle products. The seven-story building opened its doors in 1997 and once housed over 8,000 employees.
In February 2016, it was announced the building would be closed, with remaining employees to be relocated to another plant in a different part of Ohio. In December 2017, developer Steve Coon purchased the building along with his partner Bobby George, though it’s still not clear how they plan to use the huge basket.
Cologne Cathedral, Germany
The Cologne Cathedral first began construction in 1248, meaning it’s been in this world for centuries, yet it still stands. The Gothic masterpiece wasn’t complete until 1880, however. It is a five-aisled basilica with a projecting transept and a tower facade. Not only is it one of the most beautiful churches in the world, it also stands as a testament that artistry and religion conflate in miraculous, awe-striking ways. More than that, it also testifies to the enduring strength of Christian faith in Europe. One of Germany’s most prized landmarks, the church hovers above the roofs and chimneys of the city and can be seen from nearly every point in the city center.
Container City, England
The geniuses behind Urban Space Management thought to create the Container City in London, England, which first appeared in the heart of the Docklands back in 2001. The original 12 work studios took just five months to finish, with a height of three stories. Shortly thereafter, a fourth floor was added, plus residential spaces. The idea was to create low-cost, environmentally efficient spaces at a time when rental expenditure in London was steadily inflating. As such, 80 percent of the materials used to build the whole structure are actually recycled. That being said, the Container City still ended up looking chic, hip, and unique despite its humble foundations.
Sutyagin House, Russia
Dubbed as a “wooden skyscraper” because it was allegedly the tallest wooden house in the world, the Sutyagin House in Arkhangelsk, Russia was once a marvel of vernacular architecture — that is, architecture that is designed based on local needs and materials. Unfortunately, it no longer stands. The 13-story building, which looked straight out of a Lemony Snicket story, served as the house of local crime lord Nikolai Petrovich Sutyagin. It was constructed over a 15-year period without proper planning and a permit, and on top of that, the structure deteriorated when Sutyagin spent some time in jail and couldn’t attend to the development.
The building was demolished in 2009 after the government deemed it as a fire hazard.
Kansas City Public Library, United States
Yet another example of architecture parlante is the Kansas City Public Library’s bookshelf-style facade called the Community Bookshelf, which is meant to resemble a larger-than-life horizontal stack of books. Interestingly, the structure is actually there to conceal the library’s parking spaces.
Kansas City asked the public which books they felt represented the city best, and among those with the most nominations were Invisible Man, A Tale of Two Cities, Charlotte’s Web, Romeo & Juliet, Lord of The Rings, and many others. Founded in 1873, the Kansas City Public Library is the oldest and third largest public library in the Kansas City area.
Dome of the Rock, Israel
The Qubbat al-Ṣakhrah, or known in English as the Dome of the Rock, is a shrine in Jerusalem, Israel, built by the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwān in the late 7th century. It is the oldest surviving Islamic monument, and the rock upon which the shrine was built is a sacred artifact to both Jews and Muslims. According to beliefs, Islam founder Muhammad ascended into heaven from Dome of the Rock. In Jewish tradition, it is believed to be the site where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son before God, and where God gathered dust to create the first human, Adam.
Kunsthaus Graz, Austria
A building that would pass for a giant Pokémon, the Graz Art Museum in Graz, Austria, turns modernist architecture on its head and instead opts for a more outré design. Conceptualized by Colin Fournier and Peter Cook, the structure is aptly named “friendly alien” — there’s something terrifying about the size of this monster-like building, and yet its grandeur is also inviting. This building, which has reaped many design awards, contains three major exhibition galleries, office spaces, meeting spaces, communication and entertainment facilities, a café, a Media Art laboratory, and two “travelators” that allow the visitor to navigate the building and exhibition decks.
Matrimandir, India
Located in the state of Tamil Nadu in India, Matrimandir, or Temple of The Mother in English, is a spiritual place for practitioners of integral yoga. Colloquially, it is dubbed as the “soul of the city” and is situated in a large open space called “Peace.” Designed by French architect Roger Anger in 1968, construction began in 1971 but wasn’t completed until 2008. The temple contains a meditation chamber enveloped by a flattened sphere. The building represents the shape of the cosmic egg, a common mythological motif found in many cultures and civilizations. Inside is a crystal globe upon which the sun shines thanks to the cleverly arranged heliostats.
Ferdinand Cheval Palace Or The Ideal Palace, France
Who would have thought that a postman ended up creating what would become one of France’s most iconic landmarks and architectural marvels? The Ferdinand Cheval Palace appeared to Ferdinand Cheval in a dream in the 1800s, and in that dream he was building the ideal castle. Fifteen years passed, and he has forgotten about this dream, until one day he tripped and almost fell. When he turned, he saw that he’d tripped on an oddly shaped stone. He kept it and then returned to the same spot to gather more of the same stones. For the next 35 years, he spent much of his time building the perfect castle that appeared to him in his dream. Talk about dedication.
La Pedrera, Spain
The La Pedrera is the last building iconic Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí ever built before he devoted himself completely to the construction of the Sagrada Familia. The residential building, located in Barcelona’s Eixample district, features large slabs of stone in its facade, making it look as if it’s a massive rock. Unsurprisingly, “La Pedrera” translates to “the quarry house,” which is a rather apt name for the unusual building. Construction began in 1906 and was finished four years later. With its groundbreaking details, the La Pedrera is certainly one of the finest examples of modernist buildings and also one of the most extraordinary works of architecture in the world.
Ryugyong Hotel, North Korea
The pyramid-shaped Ryugyong Hotel is believed to be the tallest hotel in the world, but unfortunately, it’s long been abandoned. The 105-story behemoth in the center of Pyongyang has been a subject of fascination for many years, in large part because of its troubled and mysterious history. Construction began in 1986 for what was intended to be one of the world’s tallest structures, but it was never completed, as the building was plagued by various engineering difficulties, such as crooked elevator shafts. Currently, it sits unoccupied and unused. North Korea, meanwhile, insists that the building will eventually be operational and will have restaurants, offices, and, of course, hotel rooms.
Nautilus House, Mexico
Designed by Mexican architect Javier Senosiain of Arquitectura Organica, the Nautilus House is innovative, unusual, and will blend perfectly within a fairytale setting. Inspired by architecture legends such as Gaudí and Frank Lloyd Wright, Senosiain wanted to bring the aquatic into land, and in doing so, he managed to create one of the finest examples of bio-architecture — a design principle that connects art to nature and its organic forms. Each element of the building has been carefully chosen to go with this principle — there’s even an entry cut into a wall of stained glass, capturing the nautilus’s whimsical vibe. It was commissioned by a small family who was bored by typical house designs and wanted something closer to nature. It seems like they got what they wanted.
Wonderworks, United States
The Wonderworks museum building in Orlando, Florida, turns architecture upside down. Literally. The three-story building is flipped over with its triangular pediment smacked onto the pavement, complete with suspended palm trees and hanging lamp posts. Surprisingly, the building is also one example of architecture parlante, given that its wacky design indicates the wacky activities that occur inside the museum. A hurricane ride, an earthquake ride, and a Titanic exhibit are just some of the attractions that can be experienced inside Wonderworks.
Interestingly, all Wonderworks locations, including those in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Panama City Beach, Florida; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Syracuse, New York; and Branson, Missouri, are all upside down.
One World Trade Center, United States
The One World Trade Center was built after the devastating 9/11 attacks, which changed politics, policy, security, and all other facets of American life for good. There were several visions for the One World Trade Center during the planning stage, but in the end, it was decided the building would be one of the most technologically advanced and environmentally sensitive structures in the world. Port Authority took control of construction in 2006, outfitting the building with a concrete core and very thick concrete walls. Port Authority design consultant Eduardo del Valle says it’s the safest building in the world, which is crucial given that it represents one of the darkest periods in America’s history.
Temple of All Religions, Russia
Unlike a traditional church that focuses on one religion, the Temple of All Religions aims to symbolize the unity of all religions, a sentiment made apparent by its exteriors, which are very colorful. Though to the untrained eye it looks somewhat like a Disneyland attraction, the structure borrows cleverly from a number of influences, most notably Jewish synagogues and Islamic mosques. In all, the Temple pulls architectural influences from 16 separate religions, punctuated by its bright, vivid, and alluring centerpiece. Philanthropist Ildar Khanov established the site in 1992 and worked on it until he died in 2013. Today, the Temple is not only open to all, but it’s continuously being developed by Khanov’s colleagues.
Moor House, England
At the junction of London Wall and Moorgate stands a 19-story building almost entirely made of glass. The Moor House, designed by Foster + Partners, was designed with surrounding buildings in mind. Since the nearby structures were smaller in scale, the height was reduced toward Moorfields and east by means of a striking curved slope, which is part facade and part roof that echoes the building’s main facade. These curved elevations result in a unique building unlike any of the other edifices around it, one that manages to stand out but still blend in with neighboring structures. The award-winning building was completed in 2005.
Habitat 67, Canada
Much like the Edificio Mirador in Spain, Habitat 67 looks like Lego blocks stacked on top of another — but only this time the child who arranged the blocks didn’t really care about order and went to town with his creation. That child is iconic Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie, who originally envisioned Habitat 67 as an experimental solution for high-quality housing in dense urban environments. Safdie attempted to experiment with modular components to reduce housing construction costs and sought to make a concept that integrates suburban living elements into high-rise buildings. The kicker? Habitat 67 was his thesis at McGill University in 1961. Beat that.
St Paul's Cathedral, England
One of the more well-known sites in this list, St. Paul’s Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral designed by Sir Christopher Wren and is one of the most iconic landmarks found in London. It’s located on top of Ludgate Hill, and its lead-covered dome stands 111 meters — 365 feet — tall. The cathedral has had many iterations over the centuries. In fact, the current cathedral is actually its fifth form, with the original church having been founded in 604 AD. The fourth version, Old St. Paul’s, was considered as one of Europe’s finest masterpieces but was unfortunately engulfed in the Great Fire of 1666.
Montreal Biosphere, Canada
Architect Buckminster Fuller’s creations are the stuff of legends. The Montreal Biosphere, which he created for the 1967 World Exposition, is no exception. At the time he had been perfecting his dome designs for two decades, obsessed with their material efficiency, structural integrity, and modularity — the ingredients of what he hoped would be a sustainable, easily replicable design principle. Out of all his domes, the Montreal Biosphere is perhaps the most stunning. It has a diameter of 76 meters — 249 feet — and it’s so tall that a seven-story building can fit inside. If you’re a fan of the original Battlestar Galactica TV series, you’ve already seen this.
The Million Bottle Temple, Thailand
Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew, also known as the Temple of a Million Bottles, is the perfect example of green architecture. In the mid-’80s, monks in the Sisaket area of Thailand became so frustrated with the growing amount of litter. In an effort to curb this trash problem, they asked everyone in the area to bring them recycled beer bottles and use those to build a temple complex. The result? A stunning marvel of recycled beauty — but also a testament to discipline, plus a message that we should take care of mother nature. As of 2015, the area has over 20 buildings made from recycled materials, and that number is likely to grow.
Cubic Houses, Netherlands
Situated in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the Cubic Houses are somewhat similar to the Wonderworks museum, but its odd aesthetic is more than just for show. Architect Piet Blom designed it in the ‘70s as a solution for a problem that stifled the town at the time: what’s the best way to build houses on top of a pedestrian bridge?
His answer? Cubes. Ones that are tilted on a hexagonal pole and are made up of concrete floors, pillars, and wooden framing. The inside is small, but not cramped. It’s divided into three levels accessible via a staircase. Says Blom, the triangular top of each individual house is meant to represent an abstract tree, and the houses, collectively represent a forest trees.
Petronas Towers, Malaysia
Until 2004, The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was considered as the tallest building in the world. Designed by Cesar Pelli and completed in 1998, it serves as both a reflection and homage to the country's prominent Islamic culture. The towers were shaped after the Rub el Hizb, a Muslim symbol characterized by two overlapping squares commonly found in cultural artifacts. Pelli used the symbol as the design footprints, the result of which were eight-point towers that greatly reflect Islamic art. The two towers are connected by a bridge, which also serves as a fire escape should calamities arise. It offers spectacular views of the city.
Manchester Civil Justice Centre, England
At 15 storeys, the Manchester Civil Justice Centre houses 47 courtrooms, 75 consultation rooms, plus office and support spaces. Designed by Denton Corker Marshall, this award-winning building serves as the headquarters of the Ministry of Justice in the North West of England, which is considered to be the biggest court complex ever built in the UK since the Royal Courts of Justice in the 19th century.
It features a natural ventilation system designed to maximize free cooling potential and comfort during the mid-season. There’s also an environmental veil that maximizes natural daylight, which, coupled with the building’s abundant glass windows, make for a startling interplay of light and shadow. Aside from looking utterly beautiful, the Manchester Civil Justice Centre also proves that, no matter where they come from, all architects just love Lego and Tetris.
Crystal Island, Russia
Once it’s completed, the Crystal Island will become an eye-popping addition to Moscow’s rapidly growing skyline and also the world’s biggest building. This structure, conceptualized by architect Norman Foster as a “city within a building,” will cost $4 billion to finish and will serve as a venue for various cultural events, in addition to having exhibition spaces, a restaurant, a hotel, apartments, and offices. Aside from those, it’ll also incorporate sustainable design features such as solar panels, wind turbines, and natural ventilation.
Bad news, though: the project was postponed in 2009 following a global economic crisis. It remains unclear if it’ll ever see the light of day, but one can always hope.
Hang Nga Guesthouse, Vietnam
The Hang Nga Guesthouse in Lam Dong Province, Vietnam is definitely one the most bizarre hotels you can stay in. Designed by architect Dang Viet Nga, this unique structure is meant to resemble the Banyan Tree. The whole building contains five levels and each room presents a different theme.
The story of how it was built is a fascinating one. The local municipal government fight the architect every step of the way in her quest to build the guest house. Even so, she persisted. Known as the world’s only expressionist hotel, the Hang Nga Guesthouse was planned via hand drawings instead of blueprints and to build it, the architect employed non-skilled partisans instead of professionals.
Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
Along with St Paul's Cathedral, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is also one of the more well-known creations in this list, given that it’s been the subject of nearly everything. You name it — TV shows, comic books, songs, paintings, blockbuster movies — the Tower has probably appeared on it. Though it stands as one of the most remarkable landmarks from medieval Europe, many say it looks like a very tall wedding cake knocked precariously askew by a clumsy giant guest. Construction of the tower began in August 1173 and continued for 200 years due to a series of wars. Amazingly, we still don’t know the architect responsible for this iconic, stunning marvel.
Hallgrímskirkja, Iceland
This white-concrete church in Reykjavík, Iceland, is so tall that its spire is visible from up to 20 kilometers away — a little over 12 miles. At 74.5 meters, or 245 feet, the tower features an elevator you can ride to get incredible views of the city.
The centerpiece is accentuated by a row of descending columns on either side, which are supposed to represent volcanic basalt, part of architect Guðjón Samúelsson desire to create a national architectural style. It’s much simpler inside, though, where the most striking feature is a 5275-pipe organ that was installed 1992.
Hallgrímskirkja was named after Hallgrímur Pétursson, a poet and a reverend who wrote Passíusálmar, the country’s most popular book of hymns.
COR Building, United States
The COR building is going to be the first sustainable mixed-use condominium building in Miami, Florida. A collaboration between Chad Oppenheim architecture + design, energy consultant Buro Happold, and structural engineer Ysrael Seinuk, it represents a dynamic synergy between architecture, structural engineering, and ecology. At 25 storeys, the building will contain a mix of residential and commercial spaces, but it won’t be just a typical high-rise because it’ll integrate green technologies such as wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, and solar hot water generation. Its design, in which huge holes comprise much of the exoskeleton shell, will provide thermal insulation, natural cooling, and shade.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross, United States
Situated on the tall rock formations of Sedona, Arizona, the The Chapel of the Holy Cross is regarded as one of the must-see sights of the city. It is where people gather to offer their prayers, regardless of what their religious background may be. The chapel is a place of spiritual peace, wonder, and inspiration for all those who visit it. Architecturally, it feels somewhat anachronistic — it has this contemporary, surrealist vibe, as if it came from another world entirely, which is even more amazing when you realize that it was built more than half a century ago.
The chapel’s most striking feature is a giant cross wedged into the chapel’s facade, making it a truly unforgettable sight. If you’re visiting Arizona, make sure to drop by this majestic marvel.
The Kaaba, Saudi Arabia
The Kaaba, meaning “cube” in Arabic, is considered to be the holiest place for those who practice the Muslim faith. Regarded as the house of God, it sits within the Grand Mosque of Mecca. Every Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, nearly 1.5 million people flock to the sacred city to pay homage and touch the Kaaba as part of their holy sojourn.
The Kaaba stands at about 13 meters high, or 43 feet, and three of its corners are named after major Muslim nations: the north is named after Iraq, the west is named after Syria, and the south is named after Yemen. The eastern corner contains the Black Stone, a sacred element of the structure which pilgrims often kiss. If they can’t kiss or touch the stone, pilgrims may simply point or wave it at from the crowd.
Guggenheim Museum, Spain
Sitting on the bank of the Nervión River in Bilbao, Spain is the iconic Guggenheim Museum, a complex and intricately designed building whose delicate, majestic curves are as captivating as the multitude of works of art it houses. Millions visit the museum every year to observe more than a hundred exhibitions, and as a result, it contributes a great deal toward Bilbao's tourism industry. It should come as no surprise that legendary architect Frank Gehry designed and planned the whole thing. Not only did Gehry’s vision changed the way people look at how museums could be built, it also completely transformed the city of Bilbao.
BMW Welt, Germany
Germany, the world’s automotive center, is a paradise for car nerds everywhere, with all the major car makers residing in the country. If you’re one of those nerds and you’re somehow en route to Germany, make sure to visit the BMW Welt in Munich, which is essentially a giant car showroom. There, customers can collect their new BMWs fresh off the line if so they wish. Tourists, meanwhile, can gawk at all the production model cars, touch them, or even sit inside and marvel at one modern civilization’s finest inventions. As for the building itself, you surely won’t miss the astounding Double Cone, which was designed by Austrian firm Coop Himmelb(l)au.
Calakmul Building Or La Lavadora, Mexico
Certainly one of the most outré designs in this list, the Calakmul Building is located in the Santa Fe district of Mexico City, Mexico. Dubbed as the “La Lavadora,” which translates to washing machine in English, the building was designed by architect Agustín Hernández. It’s made up of two high-rise buildings: one’s more of a pyramidal type, and the other, with a wide, gaping hole in the center, is obviously the one that warrants the whole structure its comedic nickname. But even though it’s made to look like a home appliance, there’s nothing crass or unsophisticated about its design. Quite the contrary, in fact. The highly reflective glass just behind the massive hole actually kind of makes it look like a high-tech portal into unknown worlds.
The Shard, England
The Shard was the tallest building in western Europe at 306 meters tall — about 676 feet — until two buildings in Moscow took that title away. That being said, it’s still quite a sight to behold, thanks in large part to the 11,000 glass panels that make up its exterior, which is also why it’s called The Shard. Height junkies can head over to floors 68, 69, and 72 — the viewing platform — to get spectacular views of London. Oh, and another thing: the elevators are stupendously fast, traveling at six meters per second, so get ready for an ear-popping experience if you plan on visiting.
Odeillo Solar Furnace, France
The largest solar furnace in the world sits in the Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via commune in France, a massively majestic and awe-striking fixture in the Pyrenees mountains on the French-Spanish border. The furnace features 10,000 mirrors that bounce the sun’s light onto a large concave mirror which then focuses that light onto a cooking pot, causing it to reach a temperature of 3,000 celsius. The Odeillo solar furnace was built between 1962 and 1968, starting operations in 1970 with a power of one megawatt. The site features research areas extended to the aviation and aerospace industries. High chemical purity experiments may be performed in the Odeillo solar furnace.
Nakagin Capsule Tower, Japan
Designed by Kisho Kurokawa in 1972, the Nakagin Capsule Tower serves as the first-ever capsule architecture design. Kurokawa built the modules to serve as lodging spaces for traveling businessmen working in central Tokyo during the week. It is one of the first and finest examples of architecture with sustainability and recyclability in mind, as each module could be attached to the central core and be replaced or exchanged if needed. Kurokawa even developed a technology that allows each unit to be binded to the concrete core with just four high-tension bolts, making them easy to remove and replace when the time comes. Inside each capsule is space sufficient enough for one person to live comfortably in.
Kettle House, United States
Because the area near the shoreline of Galveston, Texas is prone to hurricanes, most of the houses are raised on stilts to prevent flooding. The Kettle House is an exception, however. This tiny metal house, which resembles a kettle pot, has sat for more than 50 years on a busy road near the Gulf coast shoreline in Galveston and has stood many weather conditions that have destroyed other buildings in the city. The origin story of this quaint little house remains fraught with conflicting narratives, but one popular speculation states that it was built by a man who made storage tanks for oil companies.
St Basil's Cathedral, Russia
Constructed in the mid-16th century, the Saint Basil’s Cathedral is regarded as one of the most iconic landmarks in Russia. Bearing resemblance to the Temple of All Religions’s bright and vivid colors, it was built by Ivan IV; the Grand Prince of Moscow; and Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich, one of the most feared names in Russian history. The cathedral is made up of nine separate chapels that are aligned to points on the compass, and four are raised to signify their position between heaven and earth.
Despite its multicolored allure, the cathedral didn’t receive its vivid paint job until many years after. In fact, it’s reported that the original color was white to match the white stone of the Kremlin.
Ray And Maria Stata Center, United States
Also known as Building 32, the Ray and Maria Stata Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts is an academic complex that’s part of the world renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT. It was designed by Bilbao Guggenheim Museum architect Frank Gehry and is regarded as one of the most iconic buildings in the city. The whole structure, as always with Gehry’s creations, is highly complex and unusual, with tilting towers, multi-angled walls, and shapes that are almost whimsical yet still sophisticated and sharp-edged. Like what he did in Bilbao, Gehry wanted to challenge the conventions of a laboratory and campus building, and thus, the Ray and Maria Stata Center was born.
The UFO Houses, Taiwan
The houses in Taiwan’s Wanli UFO Village paint an eerie and haunting picture. They’re scattered along what was once a beachside paradise but is now an abandoned holiday resort, left in ruins and decay. The UFO houses were drawn up by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen, intended to be vacation resort properties. They were inspired by his Futuro houses — prefabricated spaces that resemble UFOs. The project was fraught with many problems; stories say that numerous fatalities occured during construction, including car accidents and one suicide. Rumors also say that some 20,000 skeletal remains were found on the site, supposedly the remains of 17th century Dutch soldiers.
Teapot Dome Service Station, United States
Jack Ainsworth built the Teapot Dome Service Station in 1922, which still stands along Old Highway 12 in Zillah, Washington, as a reminder of the Teapot Dome Scandal — a bribery that involved leasing Navy petroleum resolves to private oil companies at low rates without a competitive bidding process — during the administration of then-president Warren G. Harding.
The building has a circular frame clad in wood shingles, and it features a cone-shaped roof and a sheet metal for the teapot’s handle. The spout is made of concrete and serves as a stove pipe. Because its primary purpose was to lampoon the blunders of the president at the time it was built, the Teapot Dome Service Station is a fine example of architecture that doubles as a political statement.
Lloyds Building, England
When it was completed in 1986, Lloyd’s Building looked quite out of place being that it was a high-tech architectural structure in the middle of a largely medieval-looking financial district of London. The design, by architect Richard Rogers, pulls from many influences, particularly brutalism, which opts to expose a building’s framework rather than hide it. That’s why it looks “inside out” — the service functions are removed from the interior and instead placed at the exterior. Not only does this make maintenance work easier, but it also frees more space inside, which in turn allows for more open plans conducive to more productive activities.
Notre Dame Du Haut, France
The Notre Dame du Haut boldly challenges the conventions of Christian and Church architecture, which is typically marked by opulent spires, elegant domes, and many other elements characterized by grandeur. Designed by French-Swiss architect Le Corbusier, the chapel is a stark contrast to the typical chapel designs during its time. The building has two entrances, a main altar, and three chapels beneath its towers.
The structure is made up mostly of concrete, and compared to other chapels, it’s relatively smaller. The walls are thick, and the upturned roof is supported by columns embedded in the walls. It’s safe to say that it looks nothing like your average chapel. Even still, the greatest artists are those who ambitiously violate modes of convention and make something unique.
The Bank of Asia Or The Robot Building, Thailand
At the Sathorn business district of Bangkok, Thailand stands The Robot Building, which serves as the United Overseas Bank’s Bangkok headquarters. Designed by Sumet Jumsai for the Bank of Asia, it’s meant to represent the computerization of banking. Its goofy-looking robotic shape can be regarded as an opposition to neoclassical and postmodern architecture. The building was completed in 1986 and is one of the last examples of modern architecture in the country.
Jumsai designed the building with conscious reaction against styles of the era such as postmodernism, of which he was staunchly against, even calling it intellectually bankrupt, among other things.
Mind House, Spain
Perhaps the most popular work of Antoni Gaudí is Park Güell, a smattering of attractions that includes the Mind House, a gingerbread house with a toadstool and a cross-shaped window on the front wall. While it looks like it belongs in a fairy tale world, the Mind House serves as a gallery. Originally designed to be a garden city, Park Güell is now a public park that’s open all year after the city bought in in 1922. Needless to say it’s one of the most iconic places in Barcelona, Spain, and is still a beacon of incredible creativity from one of the finest and most legendary minds in architecture.
Colosseum, Italy
Like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum in Rome, Italy is also one of the most recognized places in the world. It served as the setting to Academy Award-winning film Gladiator, and it’s a portal to the country’s rich ancient history. The Colosseum has 50,000 seats, and underneath was an underground complex where caged animals and stage sets were prepared for the “games,” in which gladiators would fight wild animals or each other in the arena. The building’s inauguration was a bloody affair — games that lasted 100 days and nights were held, during which approximately 5,000 animals were killed.
Atomium, Belgium
The Atomium was never meant to be a permanent fixture in Germany. It was erected in 1958 for the Brussels World’s Fair, but spectators wanted the country to keep it even after the event had concluded.
Standing 102 meters tall — or 335 feet — the Atomium is a giant structure of interconnected crystal balls replicated in shiny steel. Nine spheres make up the entire structure, and collectively they represent the shape iron atoms take in their delta and alpha allotropes. It was designed by André Waterkeyn, who at the time was apparently not even an actual sculptor, but the director of a metallurgical federation. Talk about dipping one’s tones in a completely different lake.
Seattle Central Library, United States
The design of the Seattle Central Library, similar to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain and the Kunsthaus Graz in Graz, Austria, boldly challenges conventions. Instead of creating a design that sees the library as dedicated solely to the book, architectural firms OMA and LMN sought to create a design that perceived a library as more: an information storage where all forms of media, new and old, are equally and legibly presented. As such, the structure features a contemporary design separated into clusters that represent stability but also instability, because as the information changes, the library changes along with it. In this manner, though the structure is motionless, inside it is an ever-evolving landscape of knowledge and innovation.
Stone House, Portugal
Nope, this isn’t a scene from The Hobbit — it’s actually just a stone house in Portugal called Casa do Penedo. Because it looks far too good to be true, there has been some uproar over the legitimacy of this house, causing some pretty toxic internet debates. However, the house is, in fact, very real.
The house is cinched between two incredibly massive boulders in the midst of Portugal’s Fafe countryside. Apparently, the construction was inspired by The Flintstones. The natural brutality of the boulders plus the interior’s simplicity and sparseness makes for something so outstanding it doesn’t have any right to be real.
Taj Mahal, India
Like Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa and Colosseum, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. Located in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, the Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum that was built between 1631 and 1648 per Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s orders, to commemorate his wife. It is undoubtedly the centerpiece of India’s Muslim art, and also one of the universally admired architectural wonders on Earth. Aside from that, the Taj Mahal is also a prime example of artistic achievement through symmetry, harmony, and excellent craftsmanship in a whole range of Indo-Islamic sepulchre architecture.
Borgund Stave Church, Norway
The Borgund Stave Church in Norway’s Sogn og Fjordane county looks straight out of a J. R. R. Tolkien story. It’s a beautiful wooden building constructed between 1,180 and 1,200 A.D., during an important period of church construction in the country.
The spectacular church features side aisles, a chancel, and an apse. Its roof is held up by multitudes of scissor beams, a notable characteristic of stave churches. Wood carvings also populate the construction, including four dragon heads on the gables of the roof, similar to dragon heads found on Norse ships. In all, the church can accommodate up to 300 people.
Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Center, United Arab Emirates
Designed by legendary and world-renowned architectural firm Zaha Hadid, whose founder unfortunately passed away in March 2016, the Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Center is a planned major cultural institution in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, which features five theaters: a music hall, concert hall, opera house, drama theater, and a flexible theater with a seating capacity of 6,300.
Zadid has described the design as “a sculptural form that emerges from a linear intersection of pedestrian paths within the cultural district, gradually developing into a growing organism that sprouts a network of successive branches.” We’ll let Hadid’s description alone speak for the building.
Shoe House, United States
The Haines Shoe House in Yorklyn, Pennsylvania was designed by Mahlon N. Haines, who not only built an empire around his shoes, but was also known for his unusual advertising tactics. By 1948, Haines, who made a fortune selling shoes, decided to build his own shoe house.
The construction is made of wood, wire, and cement stucco, accentuated by stained glass windows featuring — unsurprisingly — shoes. It’s an odd, yet charming little piece of architecture. But more than anything, it served as an advertisement: whoever saw the building was alerted the opportunity to buy Haines shoes.
Amusingly, Haines once opened the Shoe House to any newlywed or elderly people and let them stay for free.
Sydney Opera House, Australia
What else is there to say about the Sydney Opera House? This iconic, exemplary multi-venue performing arts center is probably one of the most well-known buildings in the world, not to mention Australia’s most recognizable mascot aside from kangaroos and koalas. It was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, who, despite being an unknown at the time, created sketches that intrigued the famous Eero Saarinen, who was part of a jury for a competition held by the New South Wales Government. They wanted designs for two performance halls for opera and symphony concerts that would put Sydney on the map. Many decades later, it’s safe to say Utzon definitely achieved that — and more!
Ontario College of Art and Design, Canada
In Downtown Toronto sits the third largest professional art and design institution in North America — the Ontario College of Art & Design, now called OCAD University. With programs in subjects like curatorial practice, integrated media, and others, the school prioritizes cultural diversity, equitable global citizenship, and aesthetic and formal excellence above all else. What better way to put its money where its mouth is than by its centerpiece, the Will Alsop's Sharp Centre for Design, which features a black and white tabletop suspended nine storeys above the building, which looks bold, imaginative, and above all, urban. It was given the Award of Excellence from the Toronto Architecture and Urban Design Awards, the city’s highest architecture award that’s given out every two years.
Vertical Village, Dubai
At its heart, the Vertical Village, a residential, hotel, and entertainment development in Dubai, is all about harnessing the most natural source of energy and power there is: the sun. The building, designed by GRAFT Architects, features self-shading slabs at the north of the site on the east-west axis to reduce low-angle sun exposure. While at first glance the building appears to be a complex construction inspired by geometrical shapes, its web-like structures are purposefully designed to collect scorching rays of the sun and turn them into energy. Once completed, the Vertical Village is expected to nab the LEED Gold certification, an award for buildings with exemplary use of energy, ventilation, and other environmental factors.
Hagia Sophia, Turkey
Also called the Church of the Holy Wisdom or Church of the Divine Wisdom, Turkey’s Hagia Sophia is a cathedral built at Constantinople, which is now called Istanbul, the country’s capital. Despite having built in the era where churches typically take decades upon decades to complete, the Hagia Sophia was actually a quick job: it took just six years for construction to wrap up, making it one of the most efficiently built churches in terms of total time spent. Make no mistake, though — though it was finished quickly, the Hagia Sophia doesn’t look haphazard and all over the place, like most hastily finished works. Quite the opposite, in fact. Now, it stands as a museum of mosaics, which critics consider to be the main source of knowledge about mosaics from the eighth and ninth centuries.
The Innovation, Science, And Technology Building, United States
In 2009, legendary architect Santiago Calatrava was selected to design a master plan for the new Florida Polytechnic campus, and to also create a plan for the first building inside it. So he designed what’s now called the Innovation, Science and Technology Building, a stunning architectural spectacle whose pergola and operable roof serve as its most striking elements above all else. The pergola is made of a light steel trellis that borders the whole building, which also reduces solar load by up to 30 percent. The operable roof, meanwhile, is made of a brise-soleil activated by hydraulics that provide the building some ample shade.
National Library of Belarus, Belarus
Today, the National Library of Belarus boasts more than just a collection of books — it also serves as a multipurpose center with new technologies. Created in 1922 and then-named the Belarusian State and University Library, this building initially had a whopping 60,000 books in its collection. When it became independent in 1926, an expansion was then ordered, which was designed by Belarusian Belarusian architect Georgy Lavrov, who came up with a highly unusual plan that embodies a mathematical system of coordinates. Work didn’t start on the centerpiece shown above, a rhombicuboctahedron — a complex polyhedron of 18 squares and 8 triangles — until 2012. It took about 5,000 people to finish.
Fallingwater, United States
Frank Lloyd Wright is considered to be one of the most prolific and brilliant architects of his, and also our, generation, having built architectural pieces that have become iconic and are now being studied in design schools all over the world. One of his works is called Fallingwater, which sits steadily amid a flowing stream at the Bear Run Nature Reserve in Mill Run, Pennsylvania. The client had initially asked Wright to design a house with a spectacular view of the waterfall. Instead, Wright designed the house in middle of the waterfall, making it part of their lives instead of just something viewed from afar.
The Big Pineapple, Australia
One of the most well-known attractions in Queensland, Australia is The Big Pineapple, a tropical tourist showpiece that has gone through incredible feats of tragedy — arson and a tornado — and came out intact. It was restored several times during its lifetime, and those in charge wanted it to become an family-friendly attraction with fresh farm produce and a restaurant. Unfortunately, the property has been turned over multiple times and owed $500,000 in taxes by 2009. It was sold in 2011 for $6 million. Today, the site boasts The Pineapple Café and a Merchandise Shop. Its website says planning is underway to modernize the building.
Pantheon, Italy
The Pantheon, a temple dedicated to all the gods of Pagan Rome, is perhaps one of the most iconic symbols of Rome, and also the world. The triangular structure above the inscription, called a pediment, used to have a sculpture that depicted the battle of the Titans. More than a symbol of power and domination, it was also one of opulence — the great bronze doors that guard the entrance used to be covered in gold.
It’s still not certain exactly what the Pantheon was used for, although a number of historians classify it as a temple, which means it’s possible it served as place of worship, but how people of that era performed worship inside the building remains a great mystery.
The National Congress Of Brazil, Brazil
The Brazilian National Congress remains as one of iconic architect Oscar Niemeyer’s most renowned buildings in Brazil. It comprises the Senate of Brazil and the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. Niemeyer’s design was inspired by the style of modern architecture in the country, characterized by clean and smooth lines, unusual shapes, and a bit of refined austerity. Its design also screams of duality: vertical lines are offset by horizontal ones, whose overall rigidity is slightly violated by the smooth circular structures surrounding it.
Because of its location, the National Congress is regarded as a symbol of Brazil, given that it can be seen from various points across the country, something that can’t be said of other buildings located in city centers.
Flatiron Building, United States
Much has been said about New York, to the point where waxing poetic about the city that never sleeps may sound a tad bit annoying. To be fair, though, New York City is one of the most beautiful places in the world, an image bolstered no less than its many depictions in cinema and television.
New York City is also home to the iconic Flatiron Building, which played a key part in the architectural movement at the turn of the 20th Century. Completed in 1902 by Daniel Burnham, the Flatiron Building was another addition to the steel skyscraper construction trends of its era. Most people recognize it for its triangular shape, which, because of its dramatic renderings in photographs, makes it almost surreal-looking.
Honeycomb Apartments, Slovenia
The Izola Social Housing, drawn up by OFIS Architects, is a winning entry for two housing blocks in a competition held by Slovenia’s Housing Fund, a program run by the government that aims to offer low-cost rental housing for families.
The proposal, characterized by honeycomb-shaped spaces, won for taking into account factors such as economical use of space, saleable surface area, and the overall flexibility of the plans. The main highlight of the building is its balconies, which thanks to their unusual shape are able to provide ample shading and ventilation for the apartments. Who said low-cost housing has to look cheap?
Villa Savoye, France
The Villa Savoye sits in France’s Poissy, a tiny commune at the outskirts of Paris. Despite its quaint atmosphere, the homey building is actually one of the most crucial contributions to the modern architecture movement during the 20th century. The design is by French-Swiss genius Le Corbusier, who sought to create a structure comprised of clean lines and modernist aesthetics. It is his unconventional yet innovative take on the typical French country house, and in itself a response to the bubbling new machine age brought about by the fast-approaching countercultural movements of its time. It was also one of the first few works that cemented Le Corbusier’s name in the history of architecture.
The Domestikator, Germany
Yup — that red building appears to be shaped like two people — or at least two creatures — humping each other. Make no mistake, however — it serves a greater purpose than mere shock value. Designed by Joep van Lieshout for Germany’s Ruhrtriennale art festival, the Domestikator is described as an exploration of domestication and domination from an ethical perspective.
The building also features an outlandish depiction of what appears to be bestialisty, which denotes the fact that boundaries can be crossed and violated during the aforementioned processes. Domestikator is also the artist’s comment on technology, which he believes is dominating society.
Burj Khalifa, Dubai
At 828 meters, or more than 2,700 feet, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai is still the world’s tallest building. The 162-story tower integrates local influences and modern technology to achieve high performance in Dubai’s extreme desert climate. It is both a technological and aesthetic marvel.
The building’s floor plan is unusually shaped like a Y, which is supposed to maximize views of the Arabian Gulf. Overall, the design is based on the geometry of a regional desert flower, in addition to the patterning systems of Islamic architecture.
Besides its height, one of the most notable things about the Burj Khalifa is the way its ventilation works. The building features a so-called sky-sourced ventilation system, in which cool, less humid air is acquired via the top of the building.
Turning Torso, Sweden
The Turning Torso in Sweden, known as the tallest building in the country, is also one of the world’s first twisting buildings.
The idea to create this kind of structure came during a period of renaissance in the city of Malmö, with politicians more than enthusiastic to redevelop the former industrial stronghold of the city’s west, wanting to turn a decaying area into an avenue of urban renewal. The Turning Torso concept fit the bill perfectly, with its asymmetrical shapes and pentagonal stacks.
While the building itself looks precarious, it’s actually supported by a steel exoskeleton that connects all the units, resulting in a pioneering design that also incorporates renewable energy sources. Ultimately, the Turning Torso helped spread the world about Malmö worldwide.
Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, Azerbaijan
Since the independence of Azerbaijan in 1991, the country has invested heavily in modernizing the architectural and infrastructural fields of its capital Baku, a move that’s in stark contrast to its Soviet Modernism days.
As such, the country ultimately picked legendary firm Zaha Hadid architects to create a plan for the Heydar Aliyev Center. The building would become the country’s primary venue for cultural programs, and its design would serve as a statement against Soviet architecture, characterized primarily by rigidity. The country wanted a building that not only signifies independence, but also assures its people that Baku is headed to a brand-new future.
Monte Rosa Hut, Switzerland
At the bottom of the Monte Rosa massif in Switzerland sits the Monte Rosa hut, a popular destination among hikers and tourists alike.
The building, marked by its ultra-modernistic design, is a shocking, if not stunning, contrast to the environment it’s in. The building, which opened in 2009, features an incredible aluminium façade, bouncing light off of its surfaces. It has been dubbed as the “rock crystal” and has attracted a number of visitors thanks to its innovative architecture and design.
Getting there is a difficult trek, however. It involves traversing through glaciers and high mountains, and must only be done in the presence of a mountain guide. Yikes.
Kugelmugel, Austria
Nope, this isn’t a UFO here on Earth. It’s actually called the Kugelmugel, located in Vienna, Austria. The Kugelmugel used to occupy an independent nation, or so its artist Edwin Lipburger says, calling it as the Republic of Kugelmugel.
Kugelmugel, which roughly translates to “Spherical Hill” in English, is a massive ball-shaped structure with tiny windows. It’s now in the city’s Prater Park, where it’s gawked at by many tourists and locals.
Initially passed off as insignificant, today, it is considered as one of the finest examples of modern art, and also a monument of freedom and independence, although it’s ironically protected by a barbed wire.
Jüdisches Museum, Germany
Opened in 2001, Berlin’s Jüdisches Museum is one of the most beautiful buildings found in Germany, and also one of the most modernistic museum designs in the world. It has a purpose more important than beauty, however.
The Jüdisches Museum is home to the social, political, and cultural history of Jews in Germany from the fourth century to present day, presenting and integrating the aftermath of the Holocaust in postwar Germany.
It was designed by Daniel Libeskind a year before the Berlin Wall was destroyed, with utmost respect given to the role and significance of Jews and Jewish culture in the country. In 1998 it received the highly coveted The German Architecture Prize, and in 2010 it was awarded the Buber-Rosenzweig Medal from DKR (German Coordinating Council of Societies for Christian-Jewish Cooperation).
Yokohama Ferry Terminal, Japan
This futuristic ferry terminal was designed by highly renowned firm Foreign Office Architects in 1995, representing an evolution of transportation infrastructure. Its design was radical and marked by heavy technological influences, with the building pioneering exploration into new forms of architecture.
The project was also such a massive undertaking that FOA was required to move its studios to Yokohama just to supervise construction. It cost £150 million to complete, or nearly $200 million.
The Yokohama Ferry Terminal is one of the first modern buildings that wouldn’t be possible without using computer-aided design. It is marked by wave-like platforms, pathways, and apertures, creating a highly unruly yet fascinating architectural topography.
Tate Modern, England
Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron refurbished London’s Bankside Power Station, which from 1981 to 2001 stood unused, into what it is today — the Tate Modern. Herzog & de Meuron sought to create a contemporary public space, but they didn’t go too crazy with it.
One of the highlights of the building is its light beam, situated on the top of the roof, presenting a horizontal contrast to the chimney-shaped towers. Its minimalism and translucent materials are also a stark contrast to the dark masonry and detailed brickwork of the previous building.
The Tate Modern is the most visited museum of modern art in the world, which massively helped revitalize its previously isolated, industrial neighborhood.
Walt Disney Concert Hall, United States
Who would’ve thought a mouse would one day get to own a concert hall entirely to himself — and not just any concert hall, too, but one that’s designed by Frank Gehry!
The Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of the Gehry’s most iconic works, thanks in large part to the company that owns it. Marked by sweeping, smooth metallic surfaces, the hall has received acclaim for its excellent acoustics and distinctive architecture. The exterior’s wavy façade symbolizes musical movement, and also the motion and rhythm of Los Angeles.
Though it looks extremely sophisticated and difficult to envision, Gehry actually conceptualized the design through means of paper models and sketches, which is typical of the iconic architect.
Barcelona Pavilion, Spain
The Barcelona Pavilion, designed by American-German architect Mies van der Rohe, served as Spain’s official comment on the modern architectural movements during the 1920s. It was initially named the German Pavilion given its associations to the first World War, representing the nation’s aggressively modern culture that’s still rooted in classical history.
Because it’s an example of modern architecture, it should come as no surprise that the Barcelona Pavilion is marked by sleek horizontal orientation accentuated by a low flat roof that appears to be floating. In essence, the building looks more like an inhabitable sculpture more than a welcoming pavilion.
National Centre For The Performing Arts, China
Dubbed as a giant egg, the National Centre For The Performing Arts in the heart of Beijing is a magnificent architectural marvel designed by French architect Paul Andreu. The building’s most notable building is its curved roof, covering 149,500 square meters situated at the center of a lake.
At daytime, light flows through the glass ceiling into the building, while at nighttime, movements from within can be seen by onlookers outside. The building houses three performance auditoriums, the largest of which can has 2,416 seats.
The building doesn’t seem to have any doors because the entrance is actually underground, allowing the design to be uninterrupted.
Empire State Building, United States
What could be more iconic than the Empire State Building in the iconic city of New York? Indeed, no urban building has ever been as pervasive in mainstream media and pop culture as the Empire State, even becoming part of the title to Alicia Keys and Jay-Z’s uproarious New York anthem “Empire State of Mind.”
Even in Manhattan, a city of skyscrapers, the Empire State Building towers over its neighbors. Completed in 1931, it’s one of the most well-known landmarks not just in New York, but the whole country in general, and perhaps even the world.
Its creation was more than the purpose of commercial development. The Empire State was to be a symbol of the United States — “a land which reached for the sky with its feet on the ground.”
Sagrada Familia, Spain
Much has been said about the Sagrada Familia, possibly the most iconic of Antoni Gaudí’s masterstrokes: beautiful, dazzling, and an astonishingly magnificent portrayal of Christian belief through the craft of architecture. It is probably impossible to find a church as significant as the Sagrada Familia in the entire history of art.
It is, however unfinished — Gaudí passed away in 1926 before he could complete the project. But in the last few decades, construction has resumed, thanks largely to private donations and advancements in computer-aided design. It is anticipated that the cathedral will be finished by 2026, 100 years after Gaudí's death.
Waterloo Station Building, England
More commonly referred to as the London Waterloo, it’s the biggest train station in all of UK, with the most platforms and the largest floor area of any other station there. Hard to believe that in 1848, there were merely 14 trains passing to and from the station.
It was never intended to be a terminus, though, as the original plans was to continue the line toward the City of London. The station was rebuilt in the early 20th century and reopened in 1922, with a newly created Victory Arch in the main entrance that commemorated the first World War.
Now, it stands as perhaps the busiest station complex in Europe.
The Mushroom House, United States
Also called the Pod House, the Mushroom House is a contemporary residence space in Perinton, New York. It has appeared many times over in various TV programs, thanks largely to its whimsical and fairy tale-like appearance.
The overall structure was actually modeled after the Queen Anne’s Lace, particularly its umbels, but people call it The Mushroom House because not everyone knows what an umbel is.
It features a pond and a running waterfall. Inside is a hot tub surrounded by rainbow-colored glass walls. There’s even a patio pod, which is an elevated outdoor space with flower planters and a full view of the valley.
Summum Pyramid, United States
The Summum Pyramid in Utah is home to a highly obscure religion, one that has its own principles of creation and laws of learning. Many of its beliefs are inspired by Egyptian polytheism — hence the pyramid design — but they also rely Gnostic Christian teachings. Meditation is a common aspect of the Summum, and its proponents’ ultimate goal is to achieve “spiritual Psychokinesis.” Oh, and they also practice mummification.
The Summum Pyramid is believed to have been built sometime between 1977 and 1979. It serves as the religion’s primary teaching venue, meditation hall, and mummification. The pyramid, they say, is sealed except “to the Open Mind.”
Air Force Academy Chapel, United States
Who would’ve thought a church could look this badass? The Air Force Academy Chapel is made of 100 tetrahedrons that reach 150 feet — or nearly 46 meters — high. Like the Hallgrímskirkja in Iceland, it is one rare example of religion and contemporary art fused together to make a stunning, non-traditional space of worship.
As mentioned, the frame of the entire church is formed by 100 identical tetrahedrons, with each piece weighing five tons and colored according to pattern. The effect is nothing short of brilliant — inside, the roof displays a spectacular mix of deep blues when the sun shines.
CCTV Headquarters, China
The China Central Television building, known as the CCTV Headquarters, houses the country’s predominant state television broadcaster, CCTV. It was designed by architectural firm OMA, which attempted to reimagine the concept of a skyscraper. As such, it eschews the desire for height and is instead made of two towers that lean toward each other, resulting in a single, uninterrupted building with a perpendicular cantilever. The design is supposed to represent the world of broadcasting for television — scattered in various locations, but eventually meeting in a loop of interconnected activities. Thus, it could be called an example of architecture parlante, albeit with a more subtle approach.
The Gehry Residence, United States
The Gehry Residence serves as the Santa Monica, California home of architect Frank Gehry, no stranger to this list.
It is filled with a bunch of quirks that make it unique. The first thing visitors might notice is that while it looks normal on surface, it’s anything but. In fact, it’s highly weird — in the best way, of course. The entire design seems like several walls and structures stapled together and tacked on to a conventional suburban space. Gehry also worked on the scaffolding, added sheet-metal walls, and built bizarrely-shaped fences.
More than a home, it also represents Gehry’s architectural style, and proves you don’t need a shocking, controversial, and loud design just to get noticed.
