Many things can shape a city—its culture, history, social life, or food scene. But perhaps the most distinctive feature would be architecture. Some buildings can completely fascinate you with their astonishing design and pure aesthetics. Through careful urban planning and understanding of the cultural background, the structure of a city can carry you through time while still leaving you in a very particular place.
Need convincing? Let me introduce you to this subreddit page, an online community with more than 923K members. It is dedicated to sharing interesting architecture and some of the most eye-pleasing images of buildings you could find. If you wish to immerse yourself in other customs, traditions and the everyday life of the locals, this is the place to be.
Continue scrolling and upvote your favorite pictures! And if you're still in the mood for some more, make sure to check out Part 1 of this post.
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Sun And Moon Pagodas In Guilin, China
Originally built in the city moat of Guilin during the Tang dynasty, the pagodas were reconstructed in 2001 using historical records as the centerpiece of Riyue Shuangta Cultural Park, a park themed around the unity of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. The Sun Pagoda has an octagonal base, is faced with bronze, has nine stories, and is 41 m (135 ft) tall. The Sun Pagoda is the tallest bronze pagoda in the world and is one of the few pagodas in the world that has an elevator. The Moon Pagoda has an octagonal base, is faced with glazed tile, has seven stories, and is 35 m (115 ft) tall.
Even if people say that architecture is not about words, sometimes it may seem like buildings can speak to you. One reason for this could be that construction specifics, curves and the whole style of a building tells you its history. What were the prevailing ideas or opinions at the time, the traditions, celebrations—everything's in the details.
Since its creation in 2011, this Reddit community continues to share pictures of "the beautiful impossibilities that we want to live in". According to the moderators, "Individual images of buildings are the focus of this subreddit," and it's true. The page is full of high-quality pics of architecture that will interest and inspire you.
The Shambles In York, England
It's no secret that beauty is relative. If the structure looks weird to you, it does not actually mean that the creator has poor taste. According to architect, designer and artist Ron Arad, what we consider beautiful architecture is actually all about the "culture, context, personal history, acquired taste and, most importantly, ideas. When an architectural problem is solved by an idea, that idea is always there to be seen in the building – the idea has a visual manifestation that is beautiful."
Another architect, Sam Jacob, said that aesthetics is actually not an essential consideration in architecture: "Beauty, if it’s anything, is a psycho-cultural phenomenon. After all, it’s an idea (or a sensation) that is not inherent to a thing but a qualitative value thrust upon the object of our gaze."
The cycle of beauty goes like this: shock, then acceptance, then mainstream before it becomes the one thing to rebel against. "When people use the word beauty in design, they are seeking refuge from all of the difficulties of modern life – all of its doubts, fears and challenges," he explained.
Osaka Castle, Osaka, Japan
However, being pleasing to the eye is not the only attribute of great architecture. It can also tell a lot about us as human beings. One of the main things they teach you about ancient cultures is in fact the structures they built. Through it, we can get a glimpse of what the builders and other people living there were like. Let's take ancient Egyptian civilization, we see the pyramids, the temples, the Sphinx and can immediately get a sense of how they viewed their rulers and religion.
Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore
What’s wrong with Singapore!? It’s like the 3rd time I am seeing an entry from there and all are freaking cool! ❤️
Also, big historic events like The Industrial Revolution had an effect on many life aspects. The birth of mass production of iron and steel was a game-changer in construction. It allowed to design bigger and lighter structures and gave a path to Modernism. So one way or the other, all revolutions and historic changes influenced the way we see and think about design, and if we would take more time to observe it, we could clearly see how.
Inner Walls Of Ta Prohm Monastery. Cambodia, Khmer Empire, 12th-13th Century
This 50-Foot Tall Statue Of A Native American Woman In South Dakota Titled “Dignity”
The 24 Year Old 'Wisteria' Cottage. This Beautiful Cottage Is Located In Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
If design concepts tell so much about our culture and environment, what would they say about our present way of life? One very important topic now is sustainability. The U.S. Energy Information Administration stated that buildings generate nearly 40% of annual global CO2 emissions and that the global building floor area is expected to double by 2060.
Two 17th Century Half-Timbered Houses At Hohe Straße 18 And 19 In Quedlinburg, One Of The Best-Preserved Medieval And Renaissance Towns In Europe That Escaped Major Damage During World War II. Harz, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
Since the population and sea levels will continue to rise, architects will have to adapt. Architecture Quote is an innovative platform where you can find the right architect for any type of project you have in mind. According to them, "Architecture is the solution to poverty, overcrowding, and land depletion." They provide a few thoughts on what future trends in construction will look like.
Athens
The Neuschwanstein Castle In Germany Looks Even More Stunning In Snow
The palace was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and in honour of Richard Wagner. Ludwig chose to pay for the palace out of his personal fortune and by means of extensive borrowing, rather than Bavarian public funds. Construction began in 1869, but was never fully completed. The castle was intended as a private residence for the King, until he died in 1886. The building design was drafted by the stage designer Christian Jank and realised by the architect Eduard Riedel.
Tree House, Singapore
I love Singapore and how they integrate nature into their buildings, beautiful! Nature vs modernism.
Nowadays, architects are urged to take into account sustainability, carbon footprint, price, and innovations. When it comes to choosing building materials, timber seems to be a trend that's coming back. It has been used for thousands of years and there still are some buildings that can be dated back to 6000 B.C. "Timber is an inexpensive, light, and easy material to work with during construction," Architecture Quote explained. "The future of architecture inches closer and closer to more eco-friendly, sustainable solutions each year. Timber actually stores carbon and helps our planet."
Casa Batlo, Barcelona, Spain
Casa Batlló ... It was designed in 1904 by Antoni Gaudí, and is considered one of his masterpieces. The building that is now Casa Batlló was built in 1877. It was a classical building without remarkable characteristics within the eclecticism traditional by the end of the 19th century. The house was bought by Josep Batlló in 1903. The design of the house made the home undesirable to buyers but the Batlló family decided to buy the place due to its centralized location. The Batlló family was very well known in Barcelona for its contribution to the textile industry in the city. In 1904 Josep Batlló hired Gaudí to design his home; at first his plans were to tear down the building and construct a completely new house. Gaudí convinced Josep that a renovation was sufficient and was also able to submit the planning application the same year. The building was completed and refurbished in 1906.
Ruyi Bridge, China
Plywood and newspaper wood are also being used more frequently due to the new look that they give. There's the growing idea of repurposing materials for a new use, like newspapers. They are especially popular in small living spaces since they give a sense of warmth to the interior.
English Country Garden Surrounding Asthall Manor, A Gabled Jacobean Cotswold Manor House Originally Built In The 1620s And Later Altered And Enlarged In The 1910s. Asthall, Oxfordshire, England
Evening Scene In Bremen, Germany
My Favorite Castle In Germany
According to the platform, glass is also considered to become an important material in future housing. There's a new glass technology that can harness heat from the sun and add to the insulation of the building. "This is particularly exciting for energy efficiency and sustainability in the future," they said. "Future buildings feature more and more glass as we have learned that it can help with stress, anxiety, productivity, and depression."
Las Lajas Shrine - Built 1916 -1949 Designed By J. Gualberto Perez & Lucindo Espinosa - Nariño, Colombia
The inspiration for the church's creation was a purported miraculous event in 1754, when Amerindian Maria Meneses de Quiñones and her deaf-mute daughter Rosa were caught in a very strong storm. The two sought refuge between the gigantic Lajas, when, to Meneses' surprise, her daughter Rosa exclaimed "the Mestiza is calling me" and pointed to the lightning-illuminated silhouette over the laja. This apparition of the Virgin Mary instigated popular pilgrimage to the site and occasional reports of cases of miraculous healing. An image appeared in the stone that is several feet inside of it. The image in the stone is still visible today. The first shrine was built here in the middle of 18th century from straw and wood. It was replaced with a new, larger shrine in 1802, which in turn was extended and connected to the opposite side of canyon with a bridge.
Tolbooth Tavern, Edinburgh / Sir Lewis Bellenden
Built in 1591, the Tolbooth Tavern in Edinburgh was formerly part of the original Canongate Tolbooth. This medieval building was used to divide the Royal Burgh of Edinburgh and Canongate. Over the years, the structure has had many different uses. It once acted as the main public entrance to the burgh, where tolls were collected from travellers entering the burgh. It was also used as a council chamber, police court and prison. To help provide the city support in Scotland’s battles, gun loops and turrets were constructed. In 1884, the Tolbooth clock was the latest addition. There is a plaque, dedicated to King James, completed with a thistle, the national flower of Scotland, and an inscription in Latin. King James VI was responsible for starting the Great Scottish Witch Hunt.
Another thing that is considered is earth materials. Even though making walls out of mushrooms might sound crazy, it is possible. And it's actually better for us to breathe in. "Materials like mud and adobe have been used since the beginning of civilization. The architecture of the future has taken inspiration from the past." Using the resources that our planet provides us is not only greener but also economically attractive.
80 Metre Climbing Wall Built On The Side Of A Power Plant In Copenhagen, Denmark
Concrete Bench, Part Of The Santuario Dell'amore Misericordioso Complex, Todi, Italy (By Architect Julio Lafuente, 1953-1974)
Besides, there are new types of buildings that are emerging due to our fast-paced lives. For example, tiny or modular homes. They provide a less environmental impact while saving you time and money. With small homes, you don't have to stay at exactly one location, you can roll your house anywhere you wish. With modular architecture, houses are built off-site and being delivered already finished to the site.
Ornate Carvings And Solomonic Columns On The Stone Steps Leading To The Water In Varenna, A Town On The Scenic Shores Of Lake Como, Northern Italy
English Garden Of The Coton Manor, A 17th Century Country Manor House That Was Extended In The 1920s, Coton, Northamptonshire, England
Walzin Castle On A Cliff Overlooking The River Lesse, A Castle That Started Construction In The 13th Century And Was Restored Several Times Since, Namur, Wallonia, Belgium
"The demand for these small homes is on the rise and we can expect to see many more tiny homes in the future. Architects are building for smaller and smaller spaces as populations rise, whether it is a tiny home or a small apartment. The future is all about small."
Old Gatehouse In Northern Ireland
These are common around the UK too. Wealthy estates would have these houses posted at the entry to their land hence the name gate house. You would not be able to enter unless the gate master allowed entry. Many have now been turned into beautiful cottages/houses.
La Casa Pàdua, An Example Of Catalan Modernism Architecture Originally Built As A Single-Family Residence In 1903, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi District Of Barcelona, Spain
Lastly, let's not forget green buildings. According to the World Green Building Council, “A ‘green’ building is a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment.” So it seems that the hope for the future of architecture is using low-waste and reusable materials, living tighter, greener and more mobile.
Ghost Sculpture In The Castle Of Vezio, Italy
Made from white chalk these sculptures are re-made each summer by tourists who agree to be put in a particular position, then covered with gauze and white chalk staying like that for 20 mins until the chalk is dry. The sculptures remain until destroyed by snow. (or rain)
Stone House In The Small Village Of Tissington, Derbyshire, England
Architectural Juxtaposition In Clinton Hill Historic District, Which Consists Of 1,063 Largely Residential Buildings Built Between The 1840s And 1930 In Contemporary And Revival Styles Popular At The Time, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, New York City
Clinton Hill was first inhabited in the 1640s, when Dutch colonists laid tobacco plantations near Wallabout Bay. Bedford Corners, situated just southeast of Clinton Hill, was incorporated in 1663, and the settlers (both Dutch and French Huguenot) purchased surrounding lands from the native Lenape in 1670.
Even though the facts of environmental impact and population rise sound alarming, such architectural trends are giving us hope to be excited about the future of construction. Admire these photos on your screen and try to think about how they reflect our lives. And if that seems like not enough, we have some more stunning architecture right here and here.
Concrete Turret Of The Félix Potin Building, A 1904 Art Nouveau Department Store With An Exterior Of Moulded Concrete Casts On Rue De Rennes, 6th Arrondissement Of Paris, France
Grand Central Terminal, NYC, The Sun Can't Shine Through Like That Now Due To The Surrounding Tall Buildings. 1929
The distinctive architecture and interior design of Grand Central Terminal's station house have earned it several landmark designations, including as a National Historic Landmark. Its Beaux-Arts design incorporates numerous works of art. Grand Central Terminal is one of the world's ten most visited tourist attractions, with 21.6 million visitors in 2018, excluding train and subway passengers. Opened in 1913, the terminal was built on the site of two similarly-named predecessor stations, the first of which dates to 1871. It covers 48 acres (19 ha) and has 44 platforms, more than any other railroad station in the world.
Cathedral Of Saint Mary Of The Flower, Florence
It was begun in 1296 in the Gothic style to a design of Arnolfo di Cambio and was structurally completed by 1436, with the dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi, an Italian architect, designer, and sculptor considered to be a founding father of Renaissance architecture. The cathedral complex, in Piazza del Duomo, includes the Baptistery and Giotto's Campanile. Until the development of new structural materials in the modern era, the dome was the largest in the world. It remains the largest brick dome ever constructed.
Windows Of Paris
for me, one of the most beautiful door of Paris is at 29 avenue Rapp 75007 Paris (you can see it here, on the middle of the photo)
Traditional Old Wooden Houses In Trakai, Lithuania
these are traditional karaim houses and they all have three windows facing the street on the ground floor - one for God, one for the host, and one for guests.
Old Bridge Over A Modern Road. Dublin, Ireland
Top Of Tribune Tower, Chicago Illinois
The Architecture In Some Older Power Plants Were So Unique And Ornate, This One Built In 1925 Was A Neoclassical Design Inspired By Roman Bath Houses. Although It Has Seen Better Days It's Still Beautiful And Dripping In History
Neoclassical architecture is an architectural style produced by the Neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century in Italy and France. It became one of the most prominent architectural styles in the Western world. The development of archaeology and published accurate records of surviving classical buildings was crucial in the emergence of Neoclassical architecture. In form, Neoclassical architecture emphasizes the wall rather than chiaroscuro and maintains separate identities to each of its parts. Therefore, the style is defined by symmetry, simple geometry, and social demands instead of ornament.
The First Of The Two Round Houses Constructed In Moscow 9-Storied, 936 Flats, Built In Late 1970s
By architect Yevgeny Stamo and engineer Aleksandr Markelov. The diameter of the structure is 155 meters (around 500 feet). It has 26 entrances, 913 apartments and six big archways to enter the courtyard. The first floor of the building contained pharmacies, shops, hair salons, a laundry and tailor shop, also a childrens’ club, and even a library. The isolated courtyard has its own park, with playgrounds for kids and feels like it is a long way away from the busy town. The rooms here are not rectangular but more like trapezoids, which makes it harder to place furniture.
Note: this post originally had 119 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
All these beautiful places to see and COVID is keeping us at our homes. TERRIBLE.
My thoughts exactly.
Lack of money kept me at home even before covid.
Yeah that post was interesting but painful
I missed Niemeyer's architeture in Brasilia. It's stunning. download-6...048028.jpg
That is stunning!!!!
I’m so glad that some buildings are still there to preserve the designs. Unlike the city where everything’s nothing but boring plain boxes
All these beautiful places to see and COVID is keeping us at our homes. TERRIBLE.
My thoughts exactly.
Lack of money kept me at home even before covid.
Yeah that post was interesting but painful
I missed Niemeyer's architeture in Brasilia. It's stunning. download-6...048028.jpg
That is stunning!!!!
I’m so glad that some buildings are still there to preserve the designs. Unlike the city where everything’s nothing but boring plain boxes