Sagrada Família (Barcelona, Spain)

Architect Antoni Gaudí combined curvilinear Art

Nouveau with Gothic influences in the architectural
plans for this building. The project was solely funded
by private donations and faced many setbacks,
including being set on fire during the Spanish Civil
War. Gaudí died before it could be completed, and it
remains unfinished to this day.

Geghard Monastery (Goght, Armenia)

The Geghard is a medieval monastery in Armenia that

was carved from stone and built into the
mountainside. The complex was constructed in the
4th century by Gregory the Illuminator, and the main
chapel was established in 1215. The name “Geghard”
means “the Monastery of the Spear” and refers to the
spear that wounded Jesus during the Crucifixion. The
spear is believed to have been brought to Armenia by
Apostle Jude.

Acropolis of Athens (Athens, Greece)

This ancient citadel is perched atop a rocky outcrop

that towers above Athens. The complex lies largely in
ruins now, though there has been some restoration
work done. The Acropolis consists of over twenty
structures, including the Parthenon and the Temple of
Athena Nike.
Musée d’Orsay (Paris, France)

The Musée d’Orsay is a museum housed in what was

once a Beaux-Arts railroad station. The barrel-vaulted
main hall features intricate architectural details while
also allowing floods of natural light to enter inside.

Château de Chenonceau (Chenonceaux, France)

This classic French chateau features a mix of Gothic

and Renaissance architecture. It’s large and lush
gardens are comparable to those of the Palace of
Versailles. But its most stunning view is of the wing
that fully spans the River Cher.

Dancing House (Prague, Czech Republic)

This whimsical building stands out from all the other

Art Nouveau, Gothic, and Baroque architecture in the
area. Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunić collaborated on
this deconstructivist structure that looks like it’s
twisting and collapsing in on itself.
The Guggenheim (New York City, New York, United
States)

This art museum was designed by the iconic architect

Frank Lloyd Wright. The building has a cylindrical
shape that is narrower at the bottom and widens at
the top. This makes it so that the inside layout
consists of a unique ramp gallery that unfolds in a
continuous spiral. Wright conceived the design as a
“temple of the spirit”.

This immense white marble mausoleum was

constructed to hold the tomb of the favorite wife of a
shah. The 42-acre complex features formal gardens
surrounded by crenelated walls. There is also a gated
mosque with a vaulted dome and a guest house on
the grounds.

Recognized as ‘the jewel of Muslim art in India’, the

Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
Often mistaken as a palace, this famous landmark was
actually built as a tomb for the Emperor’s wife after
she died giving birth to their 14th child.

The Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the finest

examples of Mughal architecture – an amalgamation
of Persian, Turkish, and Indian styles. Construction on
the Iconic Building began in 1632 and was completed
in 1648. The surrounding buildings and gardens took a
further five years to finish.

Dancing House (Prague, Czech Republic)

This whimsical building stands out from all the other

Art Nouveau, Gothic, and Baroque architecture in the
area. Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunić collaborated on
this deconstructivist structure that looks like it’s
twisting and collapsing in on itself.
 Pyramids of Giza (Giza, Egypt)

The Giza Pyramid Complex boasts three main

pyramids along with several subsidiary pyramids. The
famed statue of the Sphinx is there, too. These stone
structures are all architectural treasures.

Le Centre Pompidou (Paris, France)

This multicultural complex was designed to bring

different aspects of literature and art together in the
heart of Paris’ 4th arrondissement. It houses buildings
and sculptures. It is home specifically to an immense
public library as well as the famed Musée National
d’Art Moderne.

Gateway Arch (St. Louis, Missouri, United States)

This 630-foot structure is the world’s tallest arch. The

Gateway Arch is wrapped in stainless steel and was
built in the shape of a weighted catenary arch. This
famed tourist spot is also commonly called “The
gateway to the West”.
The Gherkin (London, England)

This commercial skyscraper’s official name is 20 St

Mary Ax, but its cylindrical shape resembles a pickle.
Hence, it is commonly known as The Gherkin. It is clad
in 24,000 square meters of glass in different cultures,
creating a swirling design.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Brasília (Brasília, Brazil)

Most people picture gothic architecture when they

think of cathedrals. This more modern geometric
cathedral is designed as a hyperboloid structure of 16
concrete columns that curve inward. The heavy
columns are balanced by the 16 pieces of colored
fiberglass that make up the outer roof.

Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba (Cordoba, Spain)

This noted example of Moorish architecture was

originally an Islamic mosque, which has become a
Roman Catholic cathedral. The most famous part of
this structure is an arcaded hypostyle hall. It boasts
over 850 columns made of granite, jasper, marble,
onyx, and porphyry.
 Westminster Abbey (London, England)

This Gothic abbey church was built over the course of

centuries, but the architecture of the Westminster
Abbey is unusually cohesive in design. Every aspect,
from the tall carved ceilings to the stained glass
windows, is beautifully ornate.

Dresden Frauenkirche (Dresden, Germany)

The Dresden Frauenkirche is a Lutheran Church that

was built in the 18th century before being destroyed
during World War II. It was reconstructed in 1992
using the original builder plans. As much of the
original rubble as possible was salvaged during the
rebuilding process.

Château Frontenac (Quebec, Canada)

In the 19th century, the Canadian Pacific Railway

Company built this historic hotel. It includes
Châteauesque elements like steeply pitched roofs, an
asymmetrical design, and immense towers and
turrets. It served as the template for several other
grand railway hotels.
 The Colosseum (Rome, Italy)

Rome is a unique European city with modern

structures right alongside classic architecture that is
thousands of years old. The Colosseum is a
freestanding elliptical theatre that has become run
down over the years, but features like the
monumental facade and arches remain.

One World Trade Center (New York City, New York,

United States)

As the tallest building in the United States and sixth

tallest in the world, One World Trade Center is a
relatively recent construction that was built on the
site of the Twin Towers to memorialize the September
11 attacks. The simple and symmetrical profile
ensures that the building blends into New York’s
famous skyline.
Style: Contemporary, Modern, Postmodern,
Sustainable
Height: 1,776 feet (minus the tip)
Construction period: April 2006 to 2013
Architect: Daniel Libeskind (2002); David Childs
Type: Office, Observation, Communication
Also known as: Freedom Tower
Current claim: It is the tallest building in the Western
Hemisphere, and the sixth-tallest in the world
Did you know: Its height represents the year USA
gained its independence. It stands above the location
of the World Trade Center Twin Towers which fell
down during the famous September 11 attack

The Lotus Temple (New Delhi, India)

This Baháʼí House of Worship is open to people of all

religions to gather, reflect, and even pray. The
building is designed to look like a lotus blossom
unfolding. It is made of freestanding marble-clad
petals that look surprisingly delicate despite their
impressive size.
St. Basil’s Cathedral (Moscow, Russia)

A fanciful church-turned-museum, this building was

designed to emulate the shape of a bonfire flame
rising into a sky. Its many towers and onion domes
have been painted and dyed a series of vivid colors.

This garish, candy-coloured cathedral is, in fact,

Moscow’s most visited tourist attraction. The Iconic
Building, shaped to resemble the flame of a bonfire
rising into the sky, is located just outside the Kremlin
gates and marks the geometric centre of the city.

Built between 1554 and 1560, the cathedral was

erected during the reign of Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible).
Little is known about the building’s architect Postnik
Yakovlev, but he was clearly a fan of onion domes,
sharp spikes and polygonal towers.

Dome of the Rock (Jerusalem, Israel)

This Islamic shrine is one of the longest-standing

examples of Islamic architecture. The architecture was
influenced by Byzantine churches and palaces, which
can still be seen in the prolific mosaics. But other
standout elements like gold plating on the dome were
added later.

Casa Milà (Barcelona, Spain)

Famed Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí designed this

modernist private residence in the early 20th century.
It is often referred to as “the stone quarry” thanks to
its curvy self-supporting rough stone facade. It’s also
lined with twisted wrought-iron balconies and boasts
an immense rooftop terrace.
The White House (Washington D.C., United States)

The official residence of the president of the United

States was designed in the neoclassical style. Classical
influences can be found throughout, most notably in
the columned portico on the northern facade.

Irish architect James Hoban was the man behind the

design of the White House. In 1972, Hoban submitted
a plan for the presidential mansion and subsequently
got the commission to build the White House.
Constructed began in 1793 through to completion in
1801. The Iconic Building, which has been home to
every US leader since the country’s second president
John Adams, is made of white-painted Aquia
sandstone.

Forbidden City (Beijing, China)

At 720,000 square meters, this massive complex is the

largest palace in the world. It consists of 980 buildings
and houses an extensive collection of artwork and
artifacts. It’s surrounded by an impressive moat as
well as a high city wall.

Lincoln Center (New York City, New York, United

States)

Over a dozen architects worked on the buildings in

this performing arts plaza. Notable buildings in it
include the Metropolitan Opera House and Juilliard
School. Though there are different architectural styles
in each building, the overall look is clean and
cohesive.
The Shard (London, England)

This glass-encased 95-story skyscraper is the tallest

building in the United Kingdom. The spire-like
architecture was inspired by railway lines and the
masts of sailing ships. The glazing and angles of the
glass mean the building’s appearance changes
according to the weather and time of year.

Style: Neofuturistic
Height: 309.7 metres
Construction period: March 2009 to July 2012
Owner: State of Qatar, Sellar Property Group
Architect: Renzo Piano with Sellar Property Group
Type: Office space, hotel, viewing gallery, open-air
observation deck
Current claim: Tallest building in the United Kingdom,
the tallest building in the European Union, and the
fifth-tallest building in Europe. It is also the second-
tallest free-standing structure in the United Kingdom
after the concrete tower of the Emley Moor
transmitting station.

Le Mont-Saint-Michel (Normandy, France)

This Benedictine abbey was built throughout the

centuries, and many of the structures on the grounds
are considered to be architectural marvels. The
overall design combines elements of Roman and
Gothic styles, making the Le Mont-Saint-Michel one of
the coolest-looking places to visit.

Bran Castle (Bran, Romania)

Many people refer to this Romanian building as

Dracula’s Castle. Builders combined wood and stone
to construct this Gothic fortress. Today as a museum,
it displays art and furniture collected by Queen Marie.
Angkor Wat (Siem Reap, Cambodia)

This Cambodian temple complex is the largest

religious monument in the world based on land area.
It became a Buddhist temple in the 12th century but
was constructed as a Hindu temple to celebrate the
god Vishnu. It combines a temple-mountain and a
galleried temple, both of which are the two essential
forms of Khmer temple architecture.

Konark Sun Tower (Konark, India)

The temple gets his name because it was built in

honor of the Hindu Sun God Surya. It was built in the
form of a 100-foot high chariot, complete with large
wheels and horses carved out of stone. Much of it lies
in ruins now, but the remaining parts are renowned
for their intricate artwork and iconography.

Chrysler Building (New York City, New York, United

States)

This Art Deco-style skyscraper is the tallest building in

the world to feature both a steel framework and
bricks. Fifty gleaming metal ornaments meant to pay
homage to gargoyles adorn the building’s corners,
along with areas of ornamental metal cladding and a
memorable crown and spire.

The Iconic Building was designed by William F Lamb of

the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon. It
was declared by the American Society of Civil
Engineers to be one of the Seven Wonders of the
Modern World and is known around the world as an
icon of New York City.
Sacré-Cœur (Paris, France)

Also known as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of

Paris, the Sacré-Cœur is a Roman Catholic church
designed in an unusual mashup of Ancient Roman and
Byzantine styles. The monument is built mostly from
travertine stone and features bronze statues, a
fountain, a meditation garden, and one of the world’s
largest mosaics.

Potala Palace (Lhasa, Tibet, China)

People are often surprised to learn that the remote

region of Tibet is home to such a massive palace,
which served as the winter residence of every Dalai
Lama for over three hundred years. It’s a truly
impressive feat of architecture. It’s thirteen stories tall
and holds over a thousand rooms and 10,000 shrines.
Copper was poured into the foundation to protect it
against earthquakes.

Musée du Louvre (Paris, France)

Often just referred to as the Louvre, the world’s

largest art museum boasts some of the most famous
pieces of art in history, including the Mona Lisa.
Modern glass pyramids outside of the museum
provide an interesting contrast to the French
Renaissance-influenced traditional architecture.
Sydney Opera House (Sydney, Australia)

This modern expressionist performing arts center was

one of the most iconic and unusual buildings
constructed worldwide during the twentieth century.
Large precast concrete shells featuring an understated
chevron pattern loom over Sydney Harbor.

Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao, Spain)

Famed architect Frank Ghery broke from his typical

style when he designed this innovative
deconstructivist building. It’s glass and metal surfaces
feature unpredictable curves which catch the light as
they undulate.

Fallingwater (Mill Run, Pennsylvania, United States)

Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most well-known

architects of all time, and this is probably his most
famous structure. The private residence got its name
because it was built partially over a waterfall, which
appears to flow through and out of the house.
The Pantheon (Rome, Italy)

This former Roman temple was built nearly two

thousand years ago, but it was so well-preserved that
it is still in use today as a Catholic church. It features
an immense domed cella with a conventional temple
front, which has served as an inspiration for many
architects during times of classical revival.

Space Needle (Seattle, Washington, United States)

A Seattle landmark, this observation tower was

constructed specifically for the 1962 World’s Fair. The
hourglass-shaped tower is topped by a 360-degree
halo which contains a restaurant and observation
deck.

Villa Savoye (Poissy, France)

Most famous French architecture has Gothic or

Renaissance influences, but this is well-known for
being one of the origins of modern architectural style.
Designed by Swiss architect Le Corbusier, it
represented the “Five Points” that compromised his
aesthetic.
House of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower (London,
England)

Elizabeth Tower, better known as Big Ben, is a 315-

foot tall neo-Gothic clock tower that still uses its
original Victorian mechanism. It’s part of the Palace of
Westminster complex, a historic building complex was
done in the Gothic Revival style which serves as a
meeting place for England’s Houses of Parliament.

Burj Khalifa (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Standing at 829.8 meters tall, this tower currently

stands as the tallest skyscraper in the world.
Designers drew inspiration from Islamic architecture
and the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. Over 26,000
reflective glass panels as well as textured metal panels
adorn the structure.

Style: Neofuturistic
Height: 829.8 metres
Floor area: 309,473 metres squared
Construction period: January 2004 to December 2009
Architect: Adrian Smith at Skidmore, Owings and
Merrill
Structure: Mixed use
Previously called as: Burj Dubai, then renamed as
"Burj Khalifa" in honour of the President of the UAE
and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al
Nahyan. The Arabic word "burj" means "tower" in
English

Leaning Tower of Pisa (Pisa, Italy)

This freestanding bell tower stands on an unstable

foundation and famously began leaning during its
construction in the 12th century. It has been stabilized
in recent years, but still tilts at a rakish four degrees.
Hagia Sophia (Istanbul, Turkey)

The Hagia Sophia remains one of the greatest

examples of Byzantine architecture. This richly-
detailed temple boasts marble pillars, buttresses, and
minarets. Its most impressive feature is a massive
dome featuring intricate design elements like mosaic
murals.

São Paulo Museum of Art (São Paulo, Brazil)

Lina Bo Bardi designed this glass and concrete building

whose main hall is held up by two cherry red lateral
beams. It is considered to be the hallmark of modern
Brazilian architecture.

Flatiron Building (New York City, New York, United

States)

This steel-framed skyscraper is one of New York’s

most iconic pieces of architecture. The landmarked
three-sided building is triangular in shape, coming to
points where the walls meet, and sits on a corner
block formed by Fifth Avenue, Broadway, and East
22nd Street. Sometimes described as a vertical
Renaissance palazzo, this great architectural building
boasts Beaux-Arts influences.
Sistine Chapel (Vatican City, Italy)

This chapel is part of the Apostolic Palace which is the

official residence of the pope. While many famous
buildings have artwork hanging on the walls, there is
art painted directly onto the walls and ceilings of the
Sistine Chapel by luminaries like Michelangelo.

Eiffel Tower (Paris, France)

This wrought-iron lattice tower was originally

constructed for the 1889 World’s Fair, and it remains
one of Paris’ most famous landmarks. It was
controversial in its time, as many believed it wasn’t
artistically sound, but it is one of the world’s most
recognizable monuments.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Istanbul, Turkey)

Also referred to as the Blue Mosque, the Sultan

Ahmed is an iconic Ottoman-era mosque adorned
with hand-painted blue tiles along the interior. The
enormous structure boasts five main domes and eight
secondary domes, as well as six minarets. At night, the
whole structure is illuminated by blue lights.
The Guggenheim — New York City, USA

Niterói Contemporary Art Museum — Niterói, Rio de

Janeiro, Brazil

Tokyo Sky Tree, Japan

Style: Neofuturistic
Height: 634 metres
Construction period: July 14 2008 to February 29 2012
Owner: Tobu Tower SkytreeCo., Ltd.
Architect: Nikken Sekkei
Type: Broadcast, restaurant, and observation tower
Current claim: Second tallest structure in the world
after Burj Khalifa and the tallest tower in the world,
beating Canton Tower.
National Centre for the Performing Arts, China

Style: Modern Architecture

Height: 46.28 metres
Floor area: 219,400 metres
Construction period: December 2001 to July 2007
Architect: Paul Andreu
Structural style: Ellipsoid dome of titanium and glass
surrounded by an artificial lake
Type: Performing arts complex, opera house
Nickname: The Giant Egg

National Stadium, China

Style: Deconstructivism
Construction period: September 2007 to June 2008
Architect: Jointly designed by architects Jacques
Herzog and Pierre de Meuron of Herzog & de Meuron,
project architect Stefan Marbach, artist Ai Weiwei,
and CADG which was led by chief architect Li
Xinggang.
Capacity: 80 to 90 thousand people
Size: The stadium extends 333m from north to south
and 294m from east to west, with a height of 69.2m
Type: Sports stadium, concert venue
Nickname: The Bird's Nest
Absolute World, Canada

Height: 589 feet

Floor area: 2,800 metres squared
Construction period: 2007 to 2012
Owner: Fernbrook Homes Cityzen Development
Group
Architect: MAD Studio, Beijing, with Burka Varacalli
Architects
Type: Residential condominium twin tower skyscraper
complex
Did you know: Fondly dubbed the Marilyn Monroe
towers by local residents, the Absolute Towers
parallel the twisting fluidity or natural lines found in
life.

National Aquarium, Denmark

Type: Aquarium
Opened: December 2013
Land area: 12,000 metres squared
Volume of largest tank: 4,000,000 litres (880,000
imperial gallons; 1,100,000 US gallons)
Total volume of tanks: 7,000,000 litres (1,500,000
imperial gallons; 1,800,000 US gallons)
Structural style: It resembles a whirlpool when seen
from above. It often is, being close to the Copenhagen
Airport
Architect: 3XN
Current claim: Largest aquarium in Northern Europe
Nickname: The Blue Planet, The Whirlpool

Harpa Concert Hall, Iceland

Style: Contemporary
Height: 43 metres
Floor area: 28,000 square metres
Construction period: January 2007 to 2011
Owner: Portus
Current tenant: Iceland Symphony Orchestra, The
Icelandic Opera
Architect: Henning Larsen Architects, Batteríið, Ólafur
Elíasson (facade design), Artec Consultants (acoustics
design)
Type: Concert hall & conference center
Did you know: The building features a distinctive
colored glass facade inspired by the basalt landscape
of Iceland.
Bahrain World Trade Centre, Bahrain
Style: Sustainable
Height: 240 metres
Construction period: 2004 to 2008
Architect: Atkins
Type: Commercial
Current claim: It is the first skyscraper in the world to
integrate wind turbines into its design. The wind
turbines were developed, built and installed by the
Danish company Norwin A/S.

Mode Gakuen Spiral Tower, Japan

Style: Sustainable
Height: 170 metres
Construction period: 2005 to 2008
Architect: Nikken Sekkei
Type: Educational facility (It houses three vocational
schools)
Did you know: It is known for its double-glassed air
flow system which significantly reduces heating and
cooling loads by passing indoor/outdoor air (exhaust
air/return air) between two panes of glass. The
twisting glass and steel spiral is also meant to evoke,
“the enthusiasm of students from three schools,
twining and rising up to the sky then departing to the
real world.”
Canton Tower, China
Style: Structural Expressionism (also known as High-
tech architecture)
Height: 604 metres
Construction period: November 2005 to August 2010
Architect: Information Based Architecture
(partnership of Mark Hemel & Barbara Kuit); Arup for
its structural engineering and architectural lighting
Type: Multi-purpose observational tower
Did you know: It was the tallest tower in the world
from August 2009 to March 2011 until it was
surpassed by Tokyo Skytree. It was also the tallest
structure in China until the topping out of Shanghai
Tower.

Capital Gate, United Arab Emirates

Style: Deconstructivism
Height: 160 metres with 18-degree lean
Construction period: September 2007 to 2011
Owner: Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company
Architect: RMJM
Type: Commercial offices and hotel
Also known as: The Leaning Tower of Dubai
Current claim: "Farthest manmade leaning building"
according to the Guinness Book of World Records
Did you know: The building has a diagrid specially
designed to absorb and channel the forces created by
wind and seismic loading, as well as the gradient of
Capital Gate.
Lotte World Tower, South Korea
Style: Modern with forms inspired by Korean
ceramics, porcelain, and calligraphy
Height: 555.7 metres
Construction period: February 2011 to December
2016
Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox
Type: Mixed use, hotel, residential
Current claim: Tallest building in South Korea, and is
the 5th tallest building in the world.

Guangzhou Opera House, China

Style: Deconstructivism
Floor area: 71,000 metres squared
Construction period: January 2005 to 2010
Architect: Zaha Hadid
Type: Chinese opera house
Current claim: The biggest performing centre in
southern China and is one of the three biggest
theatres in the nation alongside Beijing's National
Centre for the Performing Arts and Shanghai's
Shanghai Grand Theatre.
CMG Headquarters, China
Type: The tower serves as headquarters for China
Media Group(CMG) that was formerly at the China
Central Television Building
Also called as: CCTV Headquarters
Style: Deconstructivism
Height: 234 metres
Floor area: 389,079 metres squared
Construction period: June 2004 to May 2012
Architect: Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA)
headed by Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren; East
China Architectural Design & Research Institute
Owner: China Media Group

Aqua Tower, United States of America

Type: Mixed-use residential skyscraper
Style: Modern and Contemporary
Height: 261.8 metres
Construction period: 2007 to 2009
Architect: Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects
(Design); James Loewenberg of Loewenberg & Assoc.
(Architect of Record)
Owner: Aqua Realty Holdings LLC
Taipei 101, Taiwan
Type: Commercial offices
Style: Postmodern
Height: 509.2 metres
Floor area: 412,500 square metres
Construction period: 1999 to 2004
Architect: C.Y. Lee & Partners
Owner: Taipei Financial Center Corporation
Current claim: In 2011, the building was awarded the
LEED platinum certification, the highest award
according to the Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, and
became the tallest and largest green building in the
world.
Did you know: The building was officially classified as
the world's tallest in 2004, and remained such until
the completion of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010.

Al Hamra Tower, Kuwait

Type: Offices, Shopping mall
Style: Sculpted
Height: 414 metres
Construction period: 2005 to 2011
Architect: Skidmore, Owings, Merrill and Ramshir and
Callison
Owner: Al Hamra Real Estate Co.
Current claim: The tallest carved concrete skyscraper
in the world
Did you know: The building utilizes wrapped glass
facades on the east, north, and west both for
aesthetics and to reduce the amount of reflective
surface area on the south facade, which also features
brushed Jura limestone. Flared walls reaching from
the southwest and southeast corners of the core span
the entire height of the tower, and there is a column-
free 24-meter-tall lobby
Seattle Central Library, United States of America
Type: Library
Style: Deconstructivism
Floor area: 33,700 square metres
Construction period: 2002 to 2004
Architect: Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus of
LMN Architects/Office for Metropolitan Architecture
Owner: Seattle Public Library
Current claim: In 2007, the building was voted #108
on the American Institute of Architects' list of
Americans' 150 favorite structures in the US
Did you know: Holds about 1.45 million books and
other materials, features underground public parking
for 143 vehicles, and includes over 400 computers
open to the public.

Norwegian Wild Reindeer Centre, Norway

Also called as: Tverrfjellhytta pavillion
Architect: Snøhetta and Knut Bjørgum
Landscape Architect: Knut Bjørgum
Built in: 2011
Concept: The building design is based on the contrast
between a rigid outer shell and a soft and delicate
inner heart. The architects of Snøhetta study sought
to test the outer structural steel and glass box, with
organic curves that mimic wood interior erosion of
rock or ice, caused by natural forces, such as wind or
water, and they offer in this place a unique viewpoint
to sit and observe nature around them. With this
design a comfortable and durable for visitors to enjoy
the area and learn to know space is created.
Materials: Steel, wood, and glass

St. Paul Cathedral, London

London’s most iconic building St Paul’s Cathedral was
designed by English architect Sir Christopher Wren.
Sitting at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in
the City of London, its famous dome is one of the
world’s largest, measuring nearly 112 metres high.

The original church on the site was founded in the

year 604AD. Work on the present English Baroque
church began in the 17th Century by Christopher
Wren as part of a major rebuilding program after the
Great Fire of London.

When started working on St Paul’s in 1668, his designs

for the cathedral taking a decade to complete and the
actual construction taking a further 40 years. St Paul’s
has played an integral part of London life ever since –
as a domineering element in the city’s skyline, as a
centre for tourism and religious worship, and most
recently as a focal point for anticapitalist protests.
Petronas Tower, Kuala Lumpur
Standing at 170 metres above ground, the Petronas
Towers are twin skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia. The buildings, which held the title of tallest
in the world between 1998-2004, are iconic
landmarks of the capital city.

The distinctive postmodern style was created by

architects Cesar Pelli and Achmad Murdijat, engineer
Deejay Cerico and designer Dominic Saibo under the
consultancy of JC Guinto.

Lloyds Building, London

This Iconic Building looks like it belongs in a sci-fi
movie rather than Lime Street in London. The award-
winning Lloyds building (also known as the Inside-Out
building) is an iconic architectural landmark and one
of the most recognisable constructions on the London
skyline.

Architect Richard Rogers was the brains behind the

innovative design, which has its services – including
water pipes and staircases – on the outside. Built
between 1978 and 1986, the building also features 12
outside lifts, which were the first of their kind in the
UK.