ⓘ Featured image credits: new.abb.com
Without architecture, there could have been no civilization. But most of the architectural designs revolve around the banal nitty-gritty of human existence. And that’s fair too! The design and the drafting of homes, banks, stations, museums, and office buildings can’t always be forme extraordinaire. But once in a way comes an architectural masterpiece that challenges our notion of engineering services.
Be it the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Mosque of Cordoba in Spain, or the Musee d’Orsay in Paris – all these buildings have but one thing in common. They are iconic; they boggle the human mind and make us question the true extent of architectural design and drafting services.
In today’s post, let’s take a world tour around ten iconic buildings that have somehow redefined architecture in the past decade.
Rolex Learning Center by SANAA
Structured in 2010, this architectural wonder bears an uncanny resemblance to Swiss cheese. Spread over an area of 20,000 sq. meters, this hub of learning coalesces study environments, cafeterias, libraries, and outdoor patios all but on a single floor. This elegantly undulating architectural structure emerges and plunges as if forming a secondary landscape. Its paradigm-shifting form represents engineering services at their very best. The ground-breaking artistry offers a sweet respite from the architectural styles that dominated the previous decade.
Fondation Louis Vuitton by Frank Gehry
Owing to its architectural pedigree and strict building codes, Paris is not the easiest destination in the world to pull off a modern architectural marvel. Yet, in the capable hands of Frank Gehry, this building manages to redefine architectural design and drafting services! This magnificent and somewhat vessel-shaped glass structure graces the lawns of Bois de Boulogne. It spreads over 126,000 sq. ft. and two and a half stories and houses an impressive art collection comprising the works of Kusuma, Abramovi’c, and Giacometti. Taking after the greatest designs of the 19th century, this building strikes just the right balance between whimsical and sturdy.
Bosco Vertical by Boeri Studio
This startling structure pushes the limits of architectural designs and drafting services to a great extent. This high-rise designed in conjunction with agronomists leaves you looking at a vertical forest of a building. The building services a symbolical purpose of reinstating the importance of nature in an urban context. This project is one of the most influential ones in the entire century, let alone the decade.
Shanghai Tower by Gensler
This 2,073-feet tall building defies the common notion of engineering services in ways more than one. So, it is hardly surprising that the Shanghai Tower holds an endless list of records. It is the tallest building in China, the world’s tallest observation deck, and the second tallest building in the world. The Shanghai Tower also has the world’s second-fastest elevator system. Also, this asymmetrical building with spherical corners managed to save $58 million in costs compared to a traditional angular counterpart.
432 Park Avenue by Rafael Vinoly
The silhouette of this 1,396 ft. tall skyscraper dominates the New York skyline from every angle. It is the tallest residential building in the heart of Manhattan. 432 Park Avenue, in its all-white avatar, has a timeless quality about it that far surpasses the temporary architectural fads. In keeping with that, it has rightfully earned its place on this list.
Louvre Abu Dhabi by Ateliers Jean Nouvel
To call this structure architectural amazement is probably the understatement of the decade. This monumental, dome-shaped complex bears a befitting testimony to the architectural ambitions of the oil-rich Gulf states.
The Oculus (2016) by Santiago Calatrava
The Spanish starchitect, Santiago Calatrava, has a reputation for creating dynamic structures. His creation, the Oculus, speaks volumes about his grand architectural styles. This structure, shaped like a phoenix in mid-flight, is made of steel, concrete, glass, and stone. The design defies all engineering notions, and it enables visitors to move easily across 11 subway lines and countless office spaces.
Beijing Daixing International Airport by Zaha Hadid Architects and ADPI
This international airport could be declared the airport of the decade, owing to its ambitious architecture. Simply put, there are airports, and then there is this airport in China built on 6,620 acres. This final project by the late Zaha Hadid serves as a monumental legacy of this gifted architect.
Apple Park (2017) by Foster + Partners
Apple’s headquarters in California unwaveringly reflects the tech giant’s love for glasswork and seamless edges. It serves as a uniquely designed architectural extension of the company’s already prolific brand image. This doughnut-shaped architectural wonder is said to be surrounded by 8000+ trees.
National Museum of Qatar (2019) by Jean Nouvel (Doha, Qatar)
Constructed by this world-renowned French architect, the National Museum of Qatar combines historic objects and modern influences. Inspired by desert rose, the architecture of the structure holds a lamp to the heritage of Qatar. Simply put, this structure is an unmistakable testimony of visionary design made into a magnificent reality.
Conclusion
Now that we have had the opportunity of exploring some of the best, the grandest, and the most unique architectural pieces in the world, what should be our next stop? Would you like to continue with this magical tour on your own over the internet? Or would you stop, take a deep breath of inspiration, and apply a few of the quirkiest ideas to some of your projects?
Whatever you choose to do, let us know your opinion about this list of top 10 iconic architectural buildings in the comment section!
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