AT different countries, on different continents there are many buildings of extraordinary beauty. They were erected by both ancient architects and modern talented architects. The most beautiful buildings in the world that we will present in this article delight with their originality and originality. Undoubtedly, our list will be incomplete, since no one can name the exact number of such structures.

The beautiful buildings of St. Families (Barcelona)

This magnificent building was designed by the famous architect Antonio Gaudi, who devoted more than forty years of his life to his brainchild. Colossal, but still unfinished, with its huge spiers that seem to touch the clouds and stunning facades that resemble sand sculptures, has become a symbol of the city.

This very beautiful building is named so for a reason. The architect planned to crown the Church of St. Families with eighteen cob-shaped towers of various heights, which would become symbols of biblical characters. Twelve towers located above the entrance and at the side facades are the 12 apostles. Above the central part of the cathedral flaunts the most tall tower surrounded by smaller ones, these are Jesus Christ and the Evangelists. A little behind them is the second tallest tower, erected in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The building has three facades - the Passion, the Nativity and the Glory facade. Each of them depicts certain moments from the life of Jesus. Gaudí until his death (1926) personally oversaw the progress of construction work. His work was continued by partners and like-minded people. Some ideas of the author have been slightly changed. The construction of the cathedral continues today. Its completion is scheduled for 2026.

Taj Mahal (India)

The most beautiful buildings in the world were often built in ancient times. The famous Taj Mahal began to be built back in 1632 by Emperor Shah Jahan for the burial of his beloved wife.

The world-famous mausoleum complex is located on the southern bank of the Yamuna River. It was built over twenty years and is one of the most striking examples of Mongol architecture, complemented by elements of Indian, Persian and Islamic architecture.

The complex is distinguished by beautiful building facades. They are made of white shimmering marble that changes color depending on the time of day. The Taj Mahal has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1983. This is one of the symbols of India and one of the most beautiful buildings on our planet.

White Temple (Thailand)

The most beautiful buildings on earth amaze with the originality of architectural solutions. Wat Rong Khun, whose name translates as "White Temple", is one of the most recognizable structures in Thailand, and, of course, it is one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the world.

It is located in the vicinity of the city of Chiang Rai. Thousands of tourists come here every year to see this amazing building. The main feature of Wat Rong Khun is its snow-white color, which in this case means the purity of the Buddha, and pieces of glass added to the plaster symbolize the wisdom of the Enlightened One.

The owner of this snow-white miracle, as well as its creator, is a talented artist - Chalermchayu Kositpipat. The construction of the temple began in 1997 and continues to this day. It is surprising that the temple is being built solely on the personal funds of the author, which he collected over twenty years by selling his paintings. Chalermchayu does not accept money from sponsors, so that no one influences his ideas and does not impose conditions.

It is quite natural that one person cannot deal with such a grandiose project, so the artist’s ideas are brought to life by a team led by the chief engineer, who is Chalermchayu’s brother.

Burj Al Arab (Dubai)

Photos of beautiful buildings can often be seen on the pages of glossy publications. Burj Al Arab is the most luxurious hotel in the world. It is located on an artificial island at the beginning of Jumeirah Beach. The building, 321 meters high, has sixty floors and looks like a sailboat.

It looks especially impressive in the evening due to perfectly matched lighting.

Catherine Palace (St. Petersburg)

The most beautiful buildings in the world, built in the old days, belonged to the rulers of states. An example of this is the magnificent palace of Catherine the Great in Pushkin, a suburb of St. Petersburg. The building is made in the Baroque style and has a blue facade. Later, the palace was rebuilt by the Decree of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna and acquired its current appearance.

White, blue and golden colors give the building a festive and solemn look. The facade is decorated with white columns, stucco and figures of Atlanteans. In the northern part of the building rises the five-domed palace church, crowned with gilded domes. The southern wing, where the front porch used to be, has a gilded dome with a star on the spire. In total, 100 kilograms of pure gold were spent on the gilding of all internal and external elements.

Many tourists come to Pushkin, where the stunning palace is located, to see the Amber Room, which is the eighth wonder of the world. But for most tourists, the most bewitching view is the exquisite wing, designed in the classical style by Charles Cameron, the favorite architect of Catherine II.

Church of the Savior on Blood (St. Petersburg)

Another beautiful building located in St. Petersburg. This is a majestic church, which began to be built in 1883 just above the place where Emperor Alexander II was killed. The temple delights with colorful towers, an impressive interior with mosaics and rich exterior decoration.

Golden Temple (India)

The most beautiful buildings are located in India. - This is one of the Sikh shrines. It is located on the site of a former forest lake. Local legends say that the Buddha and Guru Nanak (the founder of the Sikh belief) came to meditate in these places.

Harimandir (Temple of God) was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The shrine acquired its current appearance in the 18th century. The splendor of the building, covered with gilding, a mixture of Muslim and Hindu architectural styles, make a huge impression, especially accompanied by ritual music that comes from the temple day and night.

Chrysler Building (New York)

This Manhattan skyscraper is designed in the Art Deco style. Immediately after the completion of construction, it was recognized as one of the most beautiful not only in New York, but also in the United States. It should be said that this beautiful building is the tallest brick structure in the world.

The stunning skyscraper was erected on the initiative of one of the most famous American managers - Walter Chrysler. In the late twenties of the last century, he decided to build the tallest building in the world for his corporation. The author of the project was William van Alen.

The Chrysler Building is still one of the tallest buildings in the world and one of the most stylish. Polished steel and glass make it light, as if floating in the air. The conical Krupp stainless steel crown sparkles in any weather. Giant lions are located in the corners at the level of the sixty-first floor. And below (on the thirty-first) the skyscraper is decorated with shiny wings. These are the ones that have been installed on the radiators of famous cars since 1929.

Great Mosque (Djenne, Mali)

The most beautiful buildings in the world are sometimes made of the most unusual materials. For example, in the African city of Djenne there is a huge mosque built from ... mud. It was built by the Dogon, an African people. Raw bricks of its walls were made of earth, clay and sand.

The minarets of this amazing mosque are decorated with ornaments that are classic for these places. It must be said that nature North Africa not too supportive of buildings from such an unusual material. In this regard, after each rainy season, local residents gather and restore the cracked and flowing walls.

The mosque was built on the site of a city that flourished in the 13th century. Creation of the modern Great Mosque, located on market square, dated 1906. Each of its towers is crowned with an ostrich egg, a local form of architectural design that is a symbol of success and abundance.

Lotus Temple (India)

The most beautiful buildings in the world are able to amaze with unusual shapes. The main Indian Bahai temple, which was built in 1986, is located in New Delhi, the capital of India. A huge magnificent building made of Pentelian snow-white marble has the shape of a blooming lotus flower. This is one of the most popular

Received many awards in the field of architecture. He has been the subject of many magazine and newspaper articles.

Sheraton Moon Hotel (Huzhou, China)

A 100-meter high-rise hotel with 321 rooms in the city of Huzhou immediately attracts attention with its unusual appearance. Beautiful large buildings always produce a special effect. A huge arch made of white aluminum and glass and with bright illumination at night resembles a building from science fiction films. Panoramic windows offer breathtaking views. The authors of the project were the architects of the local bureau MAD Architects.

Cayan Tower (Dubai, UAE)

The Cayan Tower, which was designed by the American company Skidmore Owings and Merrill, could claim the title of the most beautiful building in the world. The outstanding Spanish architect Santiago Calatrova pioneered the fashion for spiral skyscrapers. An example of such a spectacular reception is the 307-meter skyscraper (residential) Cayan Tower. The 75-storey tower has 495 apartments of various sizes. Perforated screens on the facades of the building protect the residents of the complex from the year-round heat.

Beautiful buildings in Moscow

By the number of beautiful buildings that are unique, our capital occupies a leading position in the world. Let us dwell briefly on the most famous.

Cathedral of Christ the Savior

This amazing temple is recognized by the majority of believers as the main one in our country. It was blown up in 1931, but, fortunately, after 66 years (in 1997) it was restored. The temple can accommodate up to ten thousand people. The most solemn services are held in its premises, and believers have the opportunity to bow to the numerous shrines that are stored here and admire the gilded murals of the interior decoration. The temple has a museum.

St. Basil's Cathedral

The stunning building, located on Red Square, is known all over the world, as the cathedral is one of the symbols of the capital. This is not only the most important historical monument of Moscow, but also a very spectacular building, recognized as the most beautiful temple on the planet.

The cathedral consists of nine temples, the thrones of which were consecrated in honor of the holidays that fell on the days of the decisive battles for Kazan. Tourists from all over the world come here to admire the well-known monument of Russian architecture with their own eyes and visit the branch of the historical museum.

Many buildings are similar to each other, because they are created according to the same type of projects with the same design and differ only in colors and sizes. This does not mean that all buildings are like that, there are really beautiful, creative projects. Often, innovative architectural and technical solutions are used in the construction of such structures. Often, these beautiful creations are libraries, hotels, museums or temples. In most cases, non-standard architectural objects become the main attractions of the cities in which they are located. To show how extraordinary some buildings can be, we have prepared a ranking of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

10. Sagrada Familia | Barcelona, ​​Spain

The construction of this Catholic church began in 1882 in Barcelona. The construction is carried out only on donations from parishioners. The Sagrada Familia was designed by renowned architect Antonio Gaudí. The entire architectural design of the building, both external and internal, consists of strict geometric shapes: windows and stained-glass windows in the form of ellipses, helicoidal stair structures, stars formed by intersecting surfaces, etc. This temple is a long-term construction, only in 2010 it was consecrated and recognized as ready for church services, and the full completion of construction work is planned no earlier than 2026.

9. Sydney Opera House | Sydney, Australia

This magnificent architectural structure is located in the capital of Australia - Sydney, and is one of the most famous and recognizable buildings in the world, as well as the main attraction and pride of the country. An important feature of this beautiful building, which distinguishes it from others, is the sail-shaped roof structure (consisting of 1,056,006 tiles). The main designer of this innovative building was the Danish architect Jorn Utzon, who received the Pritzker Prize for it (an analogue in the field of architecture).

8. Opera and Ballet Theater | Oslo, Norway

The Norwegian Opera and Ballet Theater is located in the central part of Oslo, on the shore of the bay. The roof consists of planes located in such a way that everyone can climb it from the base, which goes a little into the water, to highest point buildings with a magnificent view of the surroundings of the city. It is worth mentioning that this theater was awarded the Mies van der Rohe award as the best architectural structure in 2009.

7. Taj Mahal | Agra, India

This amazing building is located in the city of Agra, India. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum built by order of Padishah Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, who died in childbirth. In the architectural appearance of the building, a fusion of several styles can be traced: Persian, Muslim and Indian. The construction, which lasted from 1632 to 1653, was attended by about 22 thousand craftsmen and artisans from different parts of the empire. The Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and has been called the "Pearl of Muslim Architecture". It is also included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

6. The ideal palace of Ferdinand Cheval | Hauterives, France

Palace of Ferdinand Cheval is located in French city Homerive. Its creator was the most ordinary postman. When building his “ideal palace”, Ferdinand Cheval used the simplest tools. As materials, he used wire, cement and stones of an unusual shape, which he collected for 20 years on the roads in the vicinity of the city. This beautiful and unusual building is a prime example of naive art (an offshoot of the primitivism style). In 1975, the palace of Ferdinand Cheval was officially recognized by the French government as a monument of culture and history.

5. New Library of Alexandria | Alexandria, Egypt

The library is located in the city of Alexandria and is the main cultural center of Egypt. It was opened in the 3rd century BC. Subsequently, as a result of various military conflicts, the building was destroyed and burned. In 2002, a new "Library of Alexandrina" was erected in its place. Many countries took part in financing the construction: Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the USA and 26 other countries. The architectural appearance of the building of the new Library of Alexandria is a kind of solar disk, thus symbolizing the cult of the sun, which was widespread earlier.

4. Golden Temple Harmandir Sahib | Amritsar, India

The golden temple is central temple(gurdwara) for the religious ceremonies of the Sikh community. This magnificent architectural structure is located in the Indian city of Amritsar. The decoration of the building is made using gold, which emphasizes its majesty and luxury. The temple is located in the center of the lake, the water in which is considered healing, according to legend, it is an elixir of immortality.

3. Guggenheim Museum of Contemporary Art | Bilbao, Spain

Immediately after opening in 1977, the building was recognized as the most beautiful and spectacular architectural structure, made in the style of deconstructivism. The museum building has smooth lines that give it a futuristic look. In general, the whole structure resembles an abstract ship. A feature is not only its unusual appearance, but also the design itself - the lining is made of titanium plates according to the principle of fish scales.

2. White Temple | Chiang Rai, Thailand

Wat Rong Khun is a Buddhist temple, its other common name is “White Temple”. This architectural creation is located in Thailand. The design of the building was developed by the artist Chalermchayu Kositpipat. The temple is made in a manner uncharacteristic of Buddhism - using a large amount of white materials. Inside the building there are many colorful paintings on the walls, and outside you can see quite unusual and interesting sculptures.

1. Burj Al Arab Hotel | Dubai, UAE

94 31

Since ancient times, people have been fascinated by architecture. Five of the seven wonders of the ancient world are buildings. Architects have always tried to create something original, unusual, they wanted to go beyond the possible and amaze the imagination. We offer an overview of the most stunning architectural sights in the world.

The Colosseum is also called the Flavian Amphitheater, and it is located in Rome (Italy). This large elliptical amphitheater is considered the largest in the world. Construction began in 70 AD. during the reign of Emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD. under Emperor Titus. The building was used as a stage for gladiatorial fights, battles and executions, and accommodated up to 80,000 spectators.

The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, also called St. Basil's Cathedral, is a famous Orthodox cathedral located in the very center of Moscow. The shape of the building resembles a fire flame that rises into the sky. This is the only example of architecture in this style in Russia. The temple, built by order of Ivan the Terrible in honor of the Kazan campaign, was consecrated in 1561.

This masterpiece of architecture is also known as the Blue Mosque. The iconic building is the historical value of Istanbul. The mosque was built between 1609 and 1616 during the reign of Ahmed I. Here is the tomb of the founder. The mosque has one main dome, 6 minarets and 8 middle domes. The name "Blue Mosque" comes from the color of the tiles found on the interior walls of the building.

The Taj Mahal is a masterpiece built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. architectural structure combines elements of Persian and Indian cultures. Its most famous part is the white domed marble mausoleum. The construction of the Taj Mahal was started in 1632 and completed in 1653. In 1983 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The White House in Washington DC is the official residence and workplace of all US presidents since John Adams (1800). It has been the residence of every President of the United States. It was designed by Irish architect James Hoban and built between 1792-1800 in a neoclassical style. Today, the complex includes the executive office, west wing, east wing, and other buildings.

The tower is known around the world as Big Ben, although the real name of the building is the Elizabeth Tower, in honor of Queen Elizabeth II. Big Ben is the nickname given to the big bell that is in the clock. This name is also used in reference to the clock tower. Designer Charles Barry designed the tower as part of a new palace that was planned to be placed on the site of the old one. Palace of Westminster destroyed by fire in 1834.

The tower is known for its drawback - tilting to one side. It all started during construction, when a wobbly foundation couldn't support the weight of the structure and caused the building to tilt. The angle of inclination increased until the structure stabilized in the late 20th century and early 21st century.

Sagrada Familia (full name Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família) is located in Barcelona (Spain). This is a huge Roman Catholic church designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. The construction of the temple is not completed, but despite this, in 2010 the temple became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gaudí started his project in 1882-1883 and the temple is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous buildings in the world. It got its name from the architect Gustav Eiffel. The tower was built in 1889 and to this day is considered the tallest building in Paris. The tower is 324 meters high and consists of three floors for visitors. The iron structure weighs approximately 7,300 tons. The entire tower as a whole weighs approximately 10,000 tons. The ground floor contains two restaurants and a cinema hall.

The magnificent building, which is located in Barcelona (Spain), was designed by architect Antoni Gaudi. The construction of the house lasted from 1906 to 1912. The design of the house is considered the most original and bold because of the wavy stone facades, decorated with wrought iron. The building is in two parts built around two courtyards and has a roof topped with skylights, fans and chimneys.

The Chrysler Building is a huge skyscraper in New York City. Until 1931, it was considered the tallest building in the world. It was built in an Art Deco style and was used as the headquarters of the Chrysler Corporation from the 1930s until the mid-1950s. Construction began in 1928 and lasted until 1930. At that time, the building was considered the tallest structure made by human hands, because its height exceeded 300 meters.

Opera House, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, is located in Sydney Harbour. It is one of the most iconic buildings of the 20th century and also one of the most famous concert halls in the world. In 2007 this architectural masterpiece received the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Construction began in 1958, and the official opening took place on October 20, 1973.

The Palace of the Parliament is located in Bucharest (Romania) and is the largest and darkest civil building in the world. Its construction began during the Ceausescu regime, and this multifunctional building is the seat of both houses of the Romanian Parliament. The total area of ​​the building is 340,000 square meters.

Observation and communication tower, known as CN Tower, located in Toronto, Canada. It was built in 1976. At the time, it was the tallest tower in the world. In 1995, this masterpiece of architecture was declared one of the seven modern wonders Sveta.

The luxury hotel is located in Dubai. Its height is 321 meters, and it takes the 4th place in the list of the highest hotels in the world. The hotel, designed by architect Tom Wright, is considered the only 7-star hotel in the world. The construction of the hotel began in 1994. According to the original design, the building was supposed to resemble a dhow sail, a type of Arab ship. The luxurious building was officially opened in December 1999.

Located in Los Angeles, California, this amazing building is the fourth hall of the Los Angeles Music Center. The concert hall was designed by Frank Gehry. The official opening took place in 2003. The project actually began in 1987 when Walt Disney's widow donated $50 million to build the concert hall. The final cost of the entire project is estimated at $274 million.

The pyramid can be seen in the main courtyard of the Louvre Palace in Paris. A large pyramid made of glass is surrounded by three smaller pyramids and serves as the main entrance to the Louvre. The architectural composition, designed by architect I. M. Pei, was built in 1989. It reaches 20.6 meters in height and consists entirely of glass segments.

With a height of 829.8 meters, the tower is currently the tallest structure created by man. Construction of the building began in 2004 and ended in 2009. The official opening took place in 2010. The tower was created by architects and designers from Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. The architects drew inspiration for the tower from Islamic culture, but they developed an innovative building system structure that is able to hold such a huge height.

"Shard of Glass" or simply "Shard" is a huge 87-story skyscraper in London, part of London Bridge (London Bridge). Its construction began in 2009 and ended in 2012. Currently, it is the tallest building in the European Union (its height is 306 meters). The project of a skyscraper resembling a shard of glass belongs to the architect Renzo Piano.

The Zin Mao Tower is located in Shanghai and until 2007 was considered the tallest building in China. It was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in a postmodern style with traditional Chinese architectural details. The exterior of the building is made of glass, steel and granite. looks even more original and incredible.

Modern cities are made up of buildings of all styles, sizes, designs and shapes - from wooden one-story shacks to high-tech buildings that look like they stepped out of the pages of science fiction novels. Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol once said: "Architecture is also a chronicle of the world: it speaks when both songs and legends are already silent." We invite you to make brief digression on structures that have become real architectural milestones in the history of mankind.

1. Hal Saflieni, Paola City, Malta

This underground sanctuary (hypogeum) is one of the most ancient buildings on Earth: according to some estimates, its construction began about six thousand years ago. Initially, Khal-Saflieni was used as a temple, and then began to serve as a burial place - during excavations, archaeologists discovered the remains of more than seven thousand ancient inhabitants of these places.

2. Pyramids of Giza, a suburb of Cairo, Egypt

The pyramids on the Giza Plateau are the only creation of ancient architects of the legendary Seven Wonders of the World that has survived to this day (strictly speaking, only the highest of them, the Pyramid of Khufu, better known as the Pyramid of Cheops, is classified as a Miracle).

No wonder the Arabs say: "The world is afraid of time, and time is afraid of the pyramids" - for about four thousand years, the pyramid of Khufu was the tallest building on the planet and still amazes the imagination with its majesty and grandeur. Its height is 146.5 meters, the pyramids of Khafre (Chephren) and Menkaure (Mykerin) are slightly lower - 136.4 meters and 62 meters, respectively.

3. Temple of Jupiter, Baalbek, Lebanon

The debate about how the Egyptians managed to build "hills" of huge boulders weighing 2.5 tons will probably never subside. However, the builders of the temple of Jupiter in ancient city Baalbek could give them a head start in terms of the size of the “bricks”: when building the temple, they used three blocks weighing 800 tons each, although there are smaller ones, “only” 350 tons each.

Two kilometers from the temple, archaeologists found a block called the "South Stone" - its weight reaches over 1000 tons, but for some reason the largest "brick" remained in the quarry.

4. Assyrian aqueduct near the village of Jervan, Iraq

It's hard to believe, but this masterpiece of Assyrian architects, built in 703-688 BC by order of King Sennacherib, is an ordinary water supply that provided water to the capital of the Assyrian Empire, Nineveh. The length of the most famous part of the aqueduct, made of limestone, is about 300 meters, and the height is about 10 meters, while the total length of the ancient water supply system is more than 80 km.

5. Machu Picchu, Peru

The amazing quality of the buildings in Machu Picchu is explained either by the skill of the masons, or, more likely, by the extreme cruelty of the foremen, who forced them to work the blocks with copper and bronze tools so that they fit very tightly to each other and stand without any bonding solution for hundreds of years.

6. Aqueducts of the Roman Empire

Rounded arches were invented in Mesopotamia about four thousand years ago, but they are known all over the world thanks to the Romans, who willingly used this architectural detail in the construction of their aqueducts.

The highest of the ancient Roman aqueducts that have survived to this day is the Pont du Gard, located on the territory modern France. The aqueduct, built in 40-66 AD, was part of the water supply system of the city of Nîmes, the height of the Pont du Gard is 47 meters and its length is 275 meters.

7 Alexandria Window Glass

The first transparent panes in human history appeared in Alexandria around 100 AD (some historians say they are at least 200 years older). One of the Roman glassblowers living in the city guessed to add manganese oxide to the glass mass, as a result of which such an innovative, as they would say now, architectural solution appeared.

8. Concrete domes of Roman temples

The huge stone domes used in many Christian churches were first created by the Romans after the invention of concrete.

The oldest example of the use of a concrete dome is the temple of Mercury, built between the 27th year BC and the 14th year after, during the reign of Emperor Augustus. The largest unreinforced concrete dome belongs to the Pantheon in Rome, completed in 127 AD.

9. Linen processing plant in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK

At first glance, this old building is unremarkable, but meanwhile it is respectfully called the “grandfather of skyscrapers”: when building a factory commissioned by British entrepreneur Charles Badge, architect and engineer William Strutt was one of the first in the world to use cast-iron beams and metal structures, which gave the structure an unprecedented strength.

The construction of the factory was completed in 1797, and for many years its design became a model for the construction of many other industrial and residential buildings.

10. Suspension bridge over the Schuylkill River, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

One of the world's first suspension bridges, designed by engineers Erskine Hazard and Josiah White, was the largest of them at the time of opening in 1816, although it stood for only about a year.

11. Great Orangery Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, UK

The structure, designed by Joseph Paxton, the author of the famous Crystal Palace in London, was for some time the largest glass building in the world: its length was 96.2 meters, its width was 37.5 meters, and the greenhouse reached 20.4 meters in height.

Paxton, who served as a gardener at the residence of the Dukes of Devonshire, amazed the guests of the estate with his unprecedented fantastic designs, but many of them were too impractical: for example, to maintain the temperature in the greenhouse, eight boilers had to be built and 11 km of pipes laid. The Great Orangery cost Chatsworth House so much that it was demolished in 1923.

12. Four-story house, suburb of Paris, France

A nondescript, graffiti-covered building on one of the northern outskirts of Paris is a real architectural monument, although it's hard to believe. Its creators, engineer Francois Coignet and architect Theodore Lachaise, were the first to use reinforced concrete as a building material, after which this practice became widespread.

13. Oriel Chambers, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK

Although the factory in Shrewsbury is called the “grandfather of skyscrapers”, this honorary epithet should rightfully belong to a building erected in 1864 by architect Peter Ellis: load-bearing steel structures with window panes fixed to them were first used in Oriel Chambers - this is the technology used to build a large some of the tallest buildings on the planet.

14. Insurance Company Building, Chicago, Illinois, USA

The 42-meter building, built according to the project of William Le Baron Jenney, one of the most respected representatives of the Chicago school of architecture, belongs to the building, for the first time, so to speak, "scraped the sky."

The construction of the world's first skyscraper was completed in 1885, and in 1891 two more were added to its ten floors, and the height increased from 42 meters to 54.9 meters.

The architect, apparently, did not trust the strength of the steel frame too much, so he placed the concern for the stability of the building also on the back load-bearing wall and granite columns. Unfortunately, the first skyscraper has not survived to our time - in 1931 the building was demolished.

15. Ingalls Building, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Chicago is considered the birthplace of skyscrapers, but the world's first such structure made of reinforced concrete appeared in the city of Cincinnati in 1903. An unprecedented 15-story building 64 meters high was designed by the architectural bureau Elzner & Anderson for Melville Ingalls, one of the American financial tycoons of the early 20th century. The skyscraper has survived to this day and is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

16. Villa Savoy, Poissy, France

A small country villa, built in 1931 by the famous Le Corbusier, the founder of modernism in building design, is considered the embodiment of his “Five Points of Modern Architecture”, which formulate the basic principles of Art Nouveau. These include a flat roof, pillars, horizontal windows, free planning and a free facade - the supports are not located outside the house, but in any way, external walls can also be any.

17. Solar House No. 1, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Employees of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, led by Hoyt Hottel, in 1939 built a building on the territory of the Institute, completely heated by solar energy. Later, several more similar houses were created for scientific purposes, and the first commercial building, heated exclusively by the sun, appeared in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1956, it was designed by Frank Bridgers and Donald Paxton.

18. Echoviren, California, USA

In August this year, a team of Californian architects completed the construction of the world's first building, all building materials for which are made using 3D printing. Of course, it is difficult to call it a building, rather it is something like a small hut: its dimensions are 3 × 3 × 2.4 meters.

The project was named Echoviren - in honor of one of the rare species of redwoods, because the structure of the walls of the 3D hut resembles the cellular structure of the fibers of this tree. It took about 10,800 hours to manufacture its 585 components in total: for two months, seven 3D printers worked almost around the clock, and assembled the “building” in just four days.

Old or new, with complex or simple structures, these buildings are undoubtedly the most incredible in the world. There are attractive, there are unusual, and there are just crazy buildings that do not look like anything. Sometimes it is even difficult to immediately understand what is in front of you - a house or something else?

Lotus Temple

(Delhi, India)

The main Bahai temple in India and neighboring countries, built in 1986. Located in New Delhi, the capital of India. A huge building made of snow-white Pentelian marble in the shape of a blossoming lotus flower is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Delhi. Known as main temple Indian subcontinent and the main attraction of the city.

The Lotus Temple has won several architectural awards and has been featured in numerous newspaper and magazine articles. In 1921, the young Bombay Baha'i community asked 'Abdu'l-Bahá for permission to build a Baha'i temple in Bombay, to which the answer was allegedly given: "By the will of God, in the future, a majestic temple of worship will be erected in one of the central cities of India," that is, in Delhi. .

"Khan Shatyr"

(Astana, Kazakhstan)

A large shopping and entertainment center in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana (architect - Norman Foster). Opened on July 6, 2010, it is considered the largest tent in the world. The total area of ​​"Khan Shatyr" is 127,000 m2. It houses retail and entertainment complexes, including a supermarket, family park, cafes and restaurants, cinemas, gyms, a water park with an artificial beach and pools with a wave effect, service and office premises, parking for 700 cars and much more.

The highlight of "Khan Shatyr" - beach resort with a tropical climate, plants and a temperature of +35°C all year round. The sandy beaches of the resort are equipped with a heating system that creates the feeling of a real beach, and the sand was brought from the Maldives. The building is a giant tent 150 m high (spire), constructed from a network of steel cables, on which a transparent ETFE polymer coating is fixed. Due to its special chemical composition, it protects the interior of the complex from sudden temperature changes and creates a comfortable microclimate inside the complex. "Khan Shatyr" was included in the top ten world eco-buildings according to Forbes Style magazine, becoming the only building from all over the CIS, which the publication decided to include in its hit parade.

The opening of the Khan Shatyr shopping and entertainment center took place as part of the celebration of Astana Day with the participation of the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. During the opening ceremony, a concert was held by the world performer, the Italian tenor of classical music Andrea Bocelli. The most interesting thing in this amazing place Any Tyumen citizen can visit: Astana is only a nine-hour drive away.

Guggenheim Museum

(Bilbao, Spain)

Designed by American architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Museum is a magnificent example of the most innovative architecture of the 20th century. Constructed from titanium, it is adorned with wavy lines that change color under the sun's rays. The total area is 24,000 m2, 11,000 of which are devoted to exhibitions.

The Guggenheim Museum is a true architectural landmark, a piece of daring configuration and innovative design that provides a seductive backdrop for the artwork it houses. This building has changed the world's view of modern architecture and museums and has become a symbol of the rebirth of the industrial city of Bilbao.

National Library

(Minsk, Belarus)

The history of the National Library of Belarus begins on September 15, 1922. On this day, the Belarusian State and University Library was founded by the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the BSSR. The number of readers has been constantly increasing. During its history, the library has changed several buildings, and soon it became necessary to build a new large and functional library building.

Back in 1989, a competition was held at the level of the republic for designing a new library building. The "glass diamond" by architects Mikhail Vinogradov and Viktor Kramarenko was recognized as the best. On May 19, 1992, by the Decree of the Council of Ministers, the Belarusian State Library received the status of a national library. On March 7, 2002, the president of the republic signed a decree on the construction of the building of the state institution "National Library of Belarus". But its construction began only in November 2002.

The opening ceremony of the "Belarusian diamond" took place on June 16, 2006. President of Belarus Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko (who, by the way, received a library card No. 1) noted at the opening ceremony that “this unique building combines the austere beauty of modern architecture and the latest scientific and technical solutions.” Indeed, the National Library of Belarus is a unique architectural, construction, software and hardware complex, built in accordance with the latest scientific and technical developments and aimed at meeting the information and socio-cultural needs of society.

The new building of the library has 20 reading rooms, which are designed for 2000 users. All halls are equipped with electronic departments for issuing documents, modern equipment that allows scanning and copying documents, printing from electronic copies. The halls have computerized workplaces, workplaces for visually impaired and blind users, equipped with special equipment.

crooked house

(Sopot, Poland)

In the Polish city of Sopot, on Heroes Monte Cassino Street, there is one of the most unusual houses on the planet - the Crooked House (in Polish - Krzywy Domek). It seems that it either melted in the sun, or it is an optical illusion, and this is not the house itself, but only its reflection in a huge crooked mirror.

A crooked house is really crooked and does not contain a single even place and corner. It was built in 2004 according to the project of two Polish architects - Shotinsky and Zalevsky - impressed by the drawings of the artists Jan Marcin Schanzer and Per Oskar Dahlberg. The main task of the authors before the customer, which was the Resident shopping center, was to create such an appearance of the building that would attract as many visitors as possible. A variety of materials were used in the design of the facade: from glass to stone, and the roof made of enameled plates resembles the back of a dragon. Doors and windows are equally asymmetrical and bizarrely curved, giving the house the appearance of some kind of fabulous hut.

The crooked house works around the clock. During the day, a shopping center, cafes and other establishments are open here, and in the evening - pubs and clubs. In the dark, the house becomes even more beautiful. In 2009, the building was recognized as one of the seven wonders of the Tricity, which includes the cities of Gdynia, Gdansk and Sopot. According to a recent poll by The Village of Joy, the Crooked House topped the list of the fifty most unusual buildings in the world.

teapot building

(Jiangsu, China)

In China, the construction of the cultural and exhibition center Wuxi Wanda Exhibition Center, made in the form of a clay teapot, is nearing completion. This building has already officially entered the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest teapot in the world. The choice of this form is not accidental: clay teapots have been considered symbols of the Celestial Empire since the 15th century. They are still produced in Jiangsu Province, where the Wuxi Wanda Exhibition Center is located. In addition to the manufacture of clay teapots, China is also famous for its elite varieties of tea.

Real estate developer The Wanda Group announced that it has spent 40 billion yuan ($6.4 billion) to build the cultural and exhibition center. The result is a structure with an area of ​​3.4 million m2, a height of 38.8 m and a diameter of 50 m. Outside, the building is sheathed with aluminum sheets, which provide the necessary curvature of the frame. In addition to them, stained-glass windows of various sizes play an important role.

Exhibition halls, a water park, a roller coaster, and a Ferris wheel will be located in the Wuxi Wanda center. In addition, each of the three floors of the building will be able to rotate on its own axis. The cultural and exhibition center is part of the Tourism City shopping and entertainment complex, the construction of which is planned to be completed by 2017.

"Habitat 67"

(Montreal, Canada)

An unusual residential complex in Montreal was designed by architect Moshe Safdie in 1966-1967. The complex was built for the start of the Expo 67 exhibition, one of the largest world exhibitions of that time, the theme of which was houses and residential construction.

The basis of the structure is 354 cubes built on top of each other. It was they who made it possible to create this gray building with 146 apartments, where families live who have exchanged a quiet house in a residential area for such a non-standard house. Most apartments on the roof of the neighbor downstairs have a private garden.

Brutalism is considered the building style. Habitat 67 was built over 45 years ago, but it still impresses with its scale. This is, without a doubt, one of the few modern utopias that not only came true, but also became very popular and was even recognized as elite.

dancing building

(Prague, Czech Republic)

Office building in Prague in the style of deconstructivism consists of two cylindrical towers: conventional and destructive. Jokingly called "Ginger and Fred", the Dancing House is an architectural metaphor for the dancing couple Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. One of the two cylindrical parts, which expands upward, symbolizes a male figure (Fred), and the second visually resembles a female figure with a thin waist and a skirt fluttering in dance (Ginger).

Like many deconstructivist buildings, the building contrasts sharply with its neighbor - an integral architectural complex of the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. The office center, which houses several international companies, is located in Prague 2, on the corner of Resslova Street and the embankment. On the roof there is a French restaurant with a view of Prague La Perle de Prague.

forest spiral building

(Darmstadt, Germany)

The Austrian genius Friedensreich Hundertwasser presented the unique building to the German city of Darmstadt in 2000. Painted in different colors, a magical house from a children's fairy tale with floating lines of a curved facade, it looks into the world with 1048 windows of non-repetitive shapes, sizes and decor. Real trees grow from some of the windows.

This original building in the form of a horseshoe, spiraling upwards, is called "an unusual house among the usual monotony." It was built in a "biomorphic" style, although, in fact, it is a real residential 12-storey complex, or rather, a kind of fabulous green village. It includes not only a house with 105 comfortable apartments, but also a quiet courtyard with artificial lakes, figured bridges and paths trodden right in the grass; artistically designed playgrounds; closed parking lots; shops; pharmacy and other elements of developed infrastructure.

upside down house

(Szymbark, Poland)

The unique house, which stands on the roof, is decorated in the socialist style of the 1970s. An upside-down house evokes strange sensations: the entrance is on the roof, everyone enters through the window, and the guests walk along the ceiling. The interior is decorated in the style of socialist realism: there is a lounge with a TV and chest of drawers. There is also a table made of the longest solid board in the world - 36.83 m. Of course, the Guinness Book of Records did not ignore him.

The construction of the building took more time and money than for the erection of a conventional house of the same size. The foundation required 200 m³ of concrete. The author of the project was asked many times if his project is related to commercial purposes. The answer was always a stubborn "no". However, the house-shifter turned out to be a commercial success.

Not only Poles, but also foreign tourists come to test their strength and look at an interesting building. Through the attic window, you can enter the house and, carefully maneuvering between the chandeliers, walk around the rooms. Some sources claim that the developer was going to use the new building as his own home. Whether this is so is not known, but the upside-down house in Shimbark did not become residential.

However, there is nothing to complain about: the line of tourists who want to walk inside does not dry out, so there is no quiet life and there would be no speech. A few years ago, in the vicinity of the house, there was even a kind of gathering of local Santa Clauses, who not only discussed their problems, but also practiced getting inside the house through a pipe, since, fortunately, it rests on the ground.

Wat Rong Khun

(Chiang Rai, Thailand)

Wat Rong Khun, better known as the "White Temple", is considered one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The temple is located outside the city of Chiang Rai and attracts a large number of visitors, Thai and foreign. This is one of the most visited attractions in Chiang Rai and the most unusual Buddhist temple.

Wat Rong Khun looks like an ice house. Because of its color, the building is noticeable from afar, besides, it sparkles in the sun thanks to the interspersed pieces of glass in the plaster. The white represents the purity of the Buddha, while the glass symbolizes the wisdom of the Buddha and the Dharma, the Buddhist teachings. They say the best time to visit the White Temple is at sunrise or sunset, when it is beautifully reflected in the sun.

The construction of the temple began in 1997 and continues to this day. It is being built by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat using his own funds from the sale of paintings. The artist refused sponsors: he wants to make the temple the way only he wants.

basket building

(Ohio, USA)

The basket building was built in 1997. The weight of the structure is approximately 8500 tons, the weight of the supporting supports is 150 tons. Nearly 8,000 m3 of reinforced concrete was used in the construction. The usable area of ​​the building is 180,000 square feet. The basket is located on the territory of about 20,000 square feet (approximately 2200 m2) and completely copies one of the trademarks of its owner.

When the architect of the project, Nikolina Georgievsha, found out about what was ahead of her, she exclaimed: “Wow! I have never done this before!" Indeed, this building cannot be called standard in any way. Unlike other buildings, it expands upwards. This made it possible to significantly increase the working space of the offices: the building is designed for a staff of 500 employees. Not bad, considering that the building also has a seven-story atrium with an area of ​​3300 m2, around which the offices are located. In addition, the first floor is occupied by a theater-like auditorium with 142 seats. The building claims to be a bit pompous: the design includes two slabs attached to the building with the owner's trademark, covered with 23 carat gold.

(Sanji, Taiwan)

The strange and wonderful town of Sanji in Taiwan is abandoned resort complex. The houses in it were shaped like a flying saucer, so they were called UFO houses. The city was purchased as a resort for US military personnel serving in East Asia.

The original idea of ​​building such houses belonged to the owner of the Sanjhih Township plastics company, Mr. Yu-Ko Chow. The first building license was issued in 1978. The design was developed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen. But in 1980, construction was halted when Yu-Chow declared himself bankrupt. All efforts to resume work came to nothing. In addition, several serious accidents occurred during construction due to the supposedly disturbed spirit of the mythical Chinese dragon (as superstitious people claimed). Many believed that the place was haunted. As a result, the village was abandoned and soon became known as a ghost town.

Stone house

(Fafe, Portugal)

House Casa do Penedo in the mountains of Portugal, erected between four boulders, resembles a Stone Age dwelling. Standing on the outskirts of the hut was built in 1974 by Vitor Rodriguez and was intended for relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The desire for simplicity did not make the members of the Rodriguez family hermits, but brought them closer to a natural lifestyle without frills. Electricity was never brought into the house; candles are still used for lighting. The room is heated with a fireplace carved into one of the boulders. The stone walls serve as a continuation of the interior decoration: even the steps leading to the second floor are carved right into the stones.

The stone hut, reminiscent of the dwelling of the characters from the American animated series The Flintstones, blended so seamlessly into the surrounding landscape that it aroused great interest among architects and tourists. The curiosity of local residents and passing travelers forced the Rodriguez family to leave the house. Now no one lives in the hut, but the owners sometimes visit their unusual house. Only in this case there is a chance to see unusual interiors, at other times it is impossible to get inside Casa do Penedo.

central Library

(Kansas City, Missouri, USA)

Located in the heart of Kansas City, this is one of the first projects to regenerate the city and its historical and tourist value. Residents were asked to remember the most famous books that are somehow connected with the name of Kansas City, and they selected twenty fiction books over the course of two years. The appearance of these titles was incorporated into the innovative design of the Central City Library to encourage visits.

The library building looks like a bookshelf, on which giant books are laid out. Each of them reaches a height of seven meters, and a width of about two. Now the library has at its disposal not only the most modern technologies and excellent quality of service, but also conference rooms, a cafe, an observation room and much more. The Kansas City Public Library has a unique architecture that boggles the imagination. Today it is the pride of the people of the city of Kansas. Its construction was one of the most significant events on the way of transformation provincial town to a thriving metropolis. The library has ten branches, the main of which is the largest and has special funds. The library's arsenal is 2.5 million books, attendance is more than 2.4 million customers a year.

The history of the library begins in 1873, when it opened its doors to readers and immediately became not only a source of educational resources, but also an excellent alternative to other entertainment establishments of that time. The public library has moved many times, and in 1999 it was moved to the former building of the First National Bank. The century-old building was a real masterpiece of craftsmanship: marble columns, bronze doors and walls richly decorated with stucco. But still it required reconstruction. With the help of public-private partnerships, raised funds from the state and municipal budget, as well as sponsorship, the doors of the Kansas Public Library were opened in 2004 in the form in which it is now.

solar oven

(Odelio, France)

A stunning structure that looks like a furnace and, in fact, is one, the Solar Furnace in France is designed to generate and concentrate the high temperatures required for various processes. This happens by capturing the sun's rays and concentrating their energy in one place.

The structure is covered with curved mirrors, their radiance is so great that it is impossible to look at them. The structure was erected in 1970, the Eastern Pyrenees were chosen as the most suitable place. To this day, the Furnace remains the largest in the world. The mirror array functions as a parabolic reflector, and the high temperature regime at the focus itself can reach up to 3500°C. You can adjust the temperature by changing the angles of the mirrors.

Using such natural resource Like sunlight, a solar oven is considered indispensable for obtaining high temperatures. And they, in turn, are used for various processes. Thus, the production of hydrogen requires a temperature of 1400°C. Test modes of spacecraft and nuclear reactors provide for a temperature of 2500°C, and without a temperature of 3500°C it is impossible to create nanomaterials. In a word, the Solar Furnace is not just an amazing building, but also a vital and efficient one. At the same time, it is considered an environmentally friendly and relatively cheap way to get high temperatures.

"Robert Ripley's House"

(Niagara Falls, Canada)

Ripley's House in Orlando is an illustration not of a technical revolution, but of a natural disaster. This house was built to commemorate the magnitude 8 earthquake that hit here in 1812.

Today, the supposedly cracked building is recognized as one of the most photographed in the world. "Believe it or not!" (Ripley's Believe It or Not!) is a patented network of so-called Ripley's Auditoriums (museums of strange and incredible things), of which there are more than 30 in the world.

The idea belongs to Robert Ripley (1890–1949), an American cartoonist, entrepreneur and anthropologist. The first traveling collection, Ripley's Auditorium, was presented in Chicago in 1933 during the World's Fair. On a permanent basis, the first museum "If you want - believe it, if you want - no!" was opened after the death of Ripley, in 1950 in Florida, in the city of St. Augustine. The Canadian Museum of the same name was founded in 1963 in the city of Niagara Falls ( Niagara Falls, Ontario) and still has a reputation as the best museum in the city. The Auditorium building was built in the form of a falling Empire State Building (New York) with King Kong standing on the roof.

shoe house

(Pennsylvania, USA)

The shoe house in Pennsylvania (York County) was conceived by a very successful businessman, Colonel Mahlon N. Heinz. At that time, he owned a thriving shoe company, which included about 40 shoe stores. At that time, Heinz was already 73 years old, but he loved his business so much that he commissioned an architect to create an unusual structure in the shape of a boot. This was in 1948. Already in 1949, the shoe businessman's dream came true, and the restless Mahlon N. Heinz was able not only to admire the extraordinary building, but also to settle there.

The length of this house is 12 m, height - 8. Its facade was made as follows: first a wooden frame was created, which was then poured with cement. Surprisingly, even the mailbox of this house is made in the shape of a shoe. There are shoes and bars on the windows and doors. Near the house there is a dog kennel, which was also made in the form of a boot. And even on the sign, located on the road, there are shoes. But in fact, the shoe house has such an orientation only from the outside. Inside, this is quite a comfortable dwelling, quite cozy and spacious. On the side of the house, there is an external staircase (most likely a fire escape) that allows access to all five tiers of the unusual building.

dome house

(Florida, USA)

After a series of devastating hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida (USA), which left Mark and Valeria Sigler homeless every time, they decided to build a house that could withstand the pressure of the elements and at the same time be beautiful and comfortable. The result of their work was a house with an unusually strong construction and unique design.

For people living in the coastal zone, it is very important that they have somewhere to return after a storm. Ordinary houses are very often destroyed to the ground, while the "Dome House" can stand as if nothing had happened even under a wind rushing at a speed of 450 km / h. At the same time, the Siglers' house fits perfectly into the surrounding landscape: the dome is the best suited to the surroundings of dunes, ponds and vegetation. The construction of the building is made of modern environmentally friendly materials that can last for several centuries.

cube buildings

(Rotterdam, the Netherlands)

A number of unusual houses were built in Rotterdam and Helmond according to the innovative design of the architect Piet Blom in 1984. Blom's radical decision was that he turned the box of the house by 45 degrees and placed it at an angle on a hexagonal pylon. There are 38 such houses in Rotterdam and two more super-cubes, and all the houses are articulated with each other. From a bird's eye view, the complex has an intricate appearance, resembling an impossible triangle.

The houses consist of three floors:
● Ground floor - entrance.
● First - living room with kitchen.
● Second - two bedrooms with a bathroom.
● Upper - sometimes a small garden is laid out here.

The walls and windows are inclined at an angle of 54.7 degrees with respect to the floor. The total area of ​​the apartment is about 100 m2, however, about a quarter of the space is unusable due to the walls, which are at an angle.

Burj Al Arab Hotel

(Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

A luxury hotel in Dubai, the largest city in the United United Arab Emirates. The building stands in the sea at a distance of 280 m from the shore on an artificial island connected to the land by a bridge. With a height of 321 m, the hotel was considered the tallest hotel in the world, until another Dubai hotel appeared - the Rose Tower - 333 m high, which opened in April 2008.

The construction of the hotel began in 1994; it opened to visitors on December 1, 1999. The hotel was built in the form of a dhow sail, an Arab ship. Closer to the top is a heliport, and on the other side is the El Muntaha restaurant (from Arabic - “highest”). Both are supported by cantilever beams.

Towers "Absolute"

Like any other booming suburb North America, Mississauga is looking for its new architectural look. The Absolute Towers have become a new opportunity to respond to the needs of an ever expanding city, to create a residential landmark that will claim to be more than just efficient housing. They can create a permanent emotional connection for residents with their hometown. Such a structure can be safely included in the list of the most beautiful skyscrapers in the world.

Instead of the simple, functional logic of modernism, the design of the towers expresses the complex multiple needs of contemporary society. These buildings are much more than just a multifunctional machine. It is something beautiful, human and alive. The towers serve as an important gate to the city, located at the intersection of two main city streets.

In spite of special status these towers as significant landmarks, the emphasis in the project was by no means on their height, as is the case with most of the tallest buildings in the world. Due to the design features, continuous balconies surround the entire building, eliminating the vertical barriers traditionally used in high-rise architecture. Towers "Absolute" rotate in different projections at different levels, combined with the surrounding landscapes. The aim of the designers was to provide a good 360-degree view from any point of the building, as well as to ensure the contact of residents with natural elements, awakening in them a reverent attitude towards nature. The height of tower A with 56 floors is 170 m, and tower B with a height of 50 floors is 150 m.

Pabellon de Aragon

(Zaragoza, Spain)

A building that looks like a wicker basket appeared in Zaragoza in 2008. The construction was timed to the full-scale exhibition "Expo-2008", dedicated to the problems of water shortage on the planet. The pavilion of Aragon, literally woven of glass and steel, is crowned with strange-looking structures placed on the roof.

As conceived by its creators, the building reflects the deep trace that five ancient civilizations left on the territory of Zaragoza. In addition, inside the building you can learn about the history of water and how man learned to manage water resources on the planet.

(Graz, Austria)

This museum gallery contemporary art was opened as part of the European Capital of Culture program in 2003. The concept of the building was developed by London-based architects Peter Cook and Colin Fournier. The facade of the museum was made by realities:united using BIX technology as a 900 m2 media installation consisting of luminous elements that can be programmed using a computer. It allows the museum to communicate with the surrounding urban space.

The installation has won a number of awards. The BIX façade was conceived when the rest of the building was already being developed. In addition to the late deadlines, it was difficult to integrate into the concept of other authors. In addition, the facade, without a doubt, became the dominant element of the architectural image. The design architects accepted the façade design because it was based on their original ideas for a large luminous surface.

Concert hall

(Canary Islands, Spain)

One of the most famous and recognizable buildings in Spain, the symbol of the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, one of the most significant works of modern architecture and one of the main attractions of the Canary Islands. The opera was designed by Santiago Calatrava in 2003.

The Auditorio de Tenerife building is located in the city center, close to the César Manrique Marine Park, the city's port and the twin towers of Torres de Santa Cruz. There is a tram station nearby. You can enter the opera hall from two sides of the building at once. The Auditorio de Tenerife has two terraces overlooking the sea.

coin building

(Guangzhou, China)

In the Chinese city of Guangzhou, there is a unique building in the form of a huge disk with a hole inside. It will house the Guangdong Plastics Exchange. Now the final cosmetic work is going on here.

At 33 floors and 138 meters high, the coin-shaped building has an opening with a diameter of almost 50 meters, which has a functional, and not only design, value. The main shopping area will be located around it. The fact that the building has already become one of the main attractions of Guangdong is obvious. However, opinions are divided about its symbolic meaning.

The Italian company that developed the project claims that the form was based on jade discs owned by ancient Chinese rulers and nobility. They symbolized the high moral qualities of a person. In addition, together with its reflection in the Pearl River, on which the building stands, it forms the number 8. According to the Chinese, it brings good luck. However, many citizens of Guangzhou saw in this building a Chinese coin, symbolizing the desire for material wealth, and among the people this building has already been nicknamed the "disc of the prodigal rich." No word yet on when the building will be open to the public.

"Stone Cave"

(Barcelona, ​​Spain)

Construction began in 1906, and in 1910 the five-story building had already become one of the most famous buildings in Barcelona. The locals dubbed it "La Pedrera" - a stone cave. Indeed, the house resembled a real cave. When it was created, Gaudí basically abandoned straight lines. The five-story residential building was erected without a single corner. The architect did not make walls as load-bearing structures, but columns and vaults, which gave him unlimited scope in the layout of rooms, the ceiling heights of which are different.

In order to get enough light into each room with such a complex layout, Gaudí had to make several courtyards with light ovals. Thanks to these numerous ovals, windows and undulating balconies, the house looks like a block of solidified lava. Or on a rock with caves.

Music building

(Huainan, China)

The Piano House consists of two parts depicting two instruments: a transparent violin rests on a translucent piano. The unique building was built for music lovers, but it has nothing to do with music. The violin has an escalator, and the piano has exhibition complex, in which the plans of streets and districts of the city are presented to the attention of visitors. The object was created at the suggestion of local authorities.

The unusual building seeks to attract the attention of Chinese people and numerous tourists to the new developing area, which has become the most iconic object. Thanks to the continuous glazing of the facades with transparent and tinted glass, the premises of the complex receive the maximum possible natural light. And in the dark, the body of the object is hidden in the dark, leaving visible only the neon contours of the silhouettes of giant "tools". Despite its popularity, the building is often criticized as a kind of postmodern kitsch and a typical student project, in which there is much more shocking than art and functionality.

CCTV Headquarters

(Beijing, China)

The headquarters of CCTV is a skyscraper in Beijing. The building will house the headquarters of China Central Television. Construction work began on September 22, 2004 and was completed in 2009. The architects of the building are Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren (OMA).

The skyscraper with a height of 234 m consists of 44 floors. The main building is built in an unusual style and is a ring-shaped structure of five horizontal and vertical sections, forming an irregular lattice on the facade of the building with an empty center. The total floor area is 473,000 m².

The construction of the building was considered a daunting task, especially given its location in an earthquake-prone area. Because of his unusual shape it has already acquired the nickname "pants". The second building, the Television Cultural Center, will house the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, a visitor center, a large community theater and exhibition space.

Ferrari World Amusement Park

(Yas Island, Abu Dhabi)

The Ferrari Theme Park is housed under a 200,000 m² roof and is the largest indoor theme park in the world. Ferrari World officially opened on November 4, 2010. It is also home to the world's fastest pneumatic roller coaster, the Formula Rossa.

The emblematic roof of Ferrari World was designed by Benoy architects. It was designed based on the profile of the Ferrari GT. Ramboll provided the structure design, integrated planning and urban design, geotechnical engineering and building facade design. The total roof area is 200,000 m² with a perimeter of 2200 m, the area of ​​the park is 86,000 m², making it the largest theme park in the world.

The roof of the building is decorated with the Ferrari logo measuring 65 by 48.5 m. This is the largest company logo ever created. 12,370 tons of steel were used to support the roof. In its center is a hundred-meter glazed funnel.

Innovative residential complex Reversible-Destiny Lofts

(Tokyo, Japan)

As conceived by the architect, the apartments in the complex he created are designed in such a way that their inhabitants are always on the alert. Uneven multi-level floors, concave and convex walls, doors that can only be entered by bending over, sockets on the ceiling - in a word, not life, but a continuous adventure. Relax in such conditions will not succeed.

Man is constantly fighting environment, so there is simply no time to mope or think about sores. What is it - shock therapy or a joyful game, is not yet clear. But restrained and subservient to traditions and taste, the Japanese are ready to pay twice as much for uncomfortable apartments than for comfortable and familiar ones located in the same area. It is interesting that all the "apartments" are rented, they are not for sale. Moreover, the 83-year-old Buddhist nun and popular writer Jakute Setouti, who was the first to live in a new house, claims that since the move she began to feel younger and much better.

"Slim House"

(London, Great Britain)

An unusual residential building, also known as "Slim House", is located near the Natural History Museum in South Kensington (London). This house became famous throughout the world due to its wedge-shaped shape, or rather, the width of one of the sides of the building - a little more than a meter.

At first glance, the incredibly narrow structure of the building is just an optical illusion. Despite this, The Thin House has become very popular with Londoners and tourists. The reason for such an architectural idea is not accidental. South Kensington tube station train line runs right behind the house.

Due to the unusual design of the house, the apartments do not have a standard rectangular shape, but a trapezoid shape. For narrow rooms it is necessary to select non-standard furniture. In any case, despite a number of shortcomings, apartments in a “thin” structure are very popular among those who want to acquire new housing.

Air Force Academy Chapel

(Colorado, USA)

The striking appearance of the Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel in Colorado Springs caused some controversy when it was completed in 1963, but it is now considered one of the finest examples of modern American architecture.

The Cadet Chapel, made of steel, aluminum and glass, has 17 pointed spiers, reminiscent of jet fighters taking off into the sky. Inside there are two main levels and one basement. There is a Protestant chapel with 1200 seats, 500 seats catholic chapel and a 100-seat Jewish chapel. Each chapel has a separate entrance, so sermons can be held simultaneously without interfering with each other.

The Protestant chapel, which occupies the upper level, has stained-glass windows between the tetrahedral walls. The colors of the windows vary from dark to light, representing God coming from darkness into light. The altar is made of a smooth marble slab 15 feet long, shaped like a ship, symbolizing the church. The pews are designed in such a way that the end of each pew resembles the propeller of a World War I aircraft. Their backs are topped with a strip of aluminum, similar to the leading edge of a wing of a fighter plane. The walls of the chapel are decorated with paintings that are divided into three groups: brotherhood, flight (in honor of the Air Force) and justice.

On the lower level are multiver rooms, defined as places of worship for cadets of other religious groups. They are left without religious symbols so that they can be used by many people.