I'm particulary taken by contempory buildings with unique designs, especially skyscrapers.
Many of the residential towers being constructed in San Diego are rectangular non-descript monoliths, like glass-sided matchboxes stacked on top of each other. They are cheap to build and boring to look at.
Contrast that to places such as Dubai, and I envision the developers hiring the most progressive and talented architects in the world, signing a blank check, and saying "build something amazing".
Here are a few examples of architecture from around the world that has caught my eye
1987 - Watergate Building, Washington DC Built in phases between 1962 and 1971. When Italian architect Luigi Moretti first unveiled the plans in the early…
1988 - CN Tower, Toronto, Canada Built between 1973 and 1976 The CN Tower's iconic look actually evolved from a failed "tripod" design. The original plans…
1997 From the World Trade Center, North Tower, New York, looking to South Tower and Statue of Liberty Construction began in 1966 and was completed in 1972 . The…
2001 - The Willis Tower, Chicago actually towers over 311 S Whacker by 500ft
Legend has it that architect Bruce Graham was struggling to explain the building's…
Legend has it that architect Bruce Graham was struggling to explain the building's…
2001 - Lake Point Tower, Chicago. Built 1968
The tower features three curving wings set at 120-degree angles. This design was chosen so that residents would not…
The tower features three curving wings set at 120-degree angles. This design was chosen so that residents would not…
2004 - Rio Cathedral. Built between 1964 and fully completed in 1979
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian in Rio de Janeiro is famously designed to…
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian in Rio de Janeiro is famously designed to…
2007 - Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai, UAE Built between 1993 and 1997 . The Jumeirah Beach Hotel is famous for its "breaking wave" design, but its most impressive…
2007 - Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai Built between 1996 and 2000 . Though they look identical from certain angles, they are actually different heights. The…
2007 - Etisalat Building, Dubai (under construction) Built between 2004 and 2007 The Etisalat Building (Tower 2) on Sheikh Zayed Road is instantly recognizable…
2007 - Burj Khalifa, Dubai (under construction) Built between 2004 and 2010 The Burj Khalifa's design is inspired by the Hymenocallis (Spider Lily), a desert…
2007 Burj al Arab, Dubai Built between 1994 and 1999 The Burj Al Arab is designed to resemble the billowing sail of a J-class yacht, but its most impressive…
2010 The Mandalay Bay Resort/Casino, Las Vegas Built between 1997 and 1999 . The design almost failed before it opened. In 1998, the weight of the massive…
2012 - Olympic Stadium, Montreal Built between 1973 and 1976 (though the famous tower was not finished until 1987). The Montreal Olympic Stadium (the "Big O")…
2013 - Beijing Olympic stadium
The Beijing National Stadium, universally known as the Bird’s Nest, was built between 2003 and 2008.
The most surprising fact…
The Beijing National Stadium, universally known as the Bird’s Nest, was built between 2003 and 2008.
The most surprising fact…
2013 - Far East Finance Center, Hong Kong (Gold buildng)
Completed in 1982, the building is entirely clad in gold-colored reflective glass. This shimmering hue…
Completed in 1982, the building is entirely clad in gold-colored reflective glass. This shimmering hue…
2013 London (L->R)
The Leadenhall Building, completed in 2014, is famously nicknamed "The Cheesegrater" because of its sharp, wedge-like 10-degree profile.
The…
The Leadenhall Building, completed in 2014, is famously nicknamed "The Cheesegrater" because of its sharp, wedge-like 10-degree profile.
The…
2014 - The Union of Romanian Architects. Bucharest, Romania The Union of Romanian Architects (UAR) building in Bucharest is one of the world's most jarring…
2014 - Oslo Opera House, Norway Built between 2003 and 2007 . The Oslo Opera House is designed to be a "social democratic monument" where the building itself…
2014 - Oryukdo, Busan, S Korea Completed in 2008, the Oryukdo SK View apartments are famous for their "floating" coastal design, which maximizes the view of the…
Built between 1969 and 1972, the pyramid shape wasn't just for looks. Architect William Pereira designed it to allow…