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Every now and then, we hear about funny architectural fails where lack of taste meets poor aesthetics and greets atrocious execution. Check out our previous features with such examples here, here, and here.
But way more rarely do we hear news about impressive architecture, time-defying buildings, and incredible structures. This is because it’s way more difficult to create an architectural wonder that reflects our environment, values, history, artistic sensibility, and many other aspects of our daily life.
Luckily, there is this corner of Reddit that collects “the beautiful impossibilities that we want to live in” and shares them with its 1.3M members. The subreddit is dedicated to high-quality photographs of some of the most impressive, conceptual, and historical buildings on our planet. So pull your seat closer and scroll down! After you’re done, be sure to share part 1 of the article.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Preserved Edo Period Neighborhood In Japan
Roman Hans 3 years ago (edited)
Takayama, about five hours by train from Tokyo. It's wonderful. Will never forget a little store that made their own soy sauce. (Because I was the idiot who thought, "You can actually MAKE soy sauce?")
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#2
Persian Mosque
#3
Spellbinding Bookstore In Chengdu, Sichuan, China
“We’re fascinated by architecturally unique buildings because we live in a world where most goods are standardized and mass-produced—including the structures we inhabit,” Lisa Yaszek, a Regents Professor of Science Fiction Studies at Georgia Tech, told Bored Panda. Yaszek researches and teaches science fiction as a global language crossing centuries, continents, and cultures, and was happy to share some insights about architectural wonders with our readers.
According to Yaszek, “modern buildings depend on modular construction and prefabricated design, Western architectural trends that date back to the 1600s, when Parliament created the first modern building codes after the great fire of London in 1666 and when colonial settlers in America demanded homes built with English construction methods.”
#4
Ukraine - Lviv, Staircase In The House Of Scientists
#5
Hans & Gretel Pancake House In Zeewolde, Netherlands
Katja Kozdon 3 years ago
This is not a building but a slide as you can see on the right side. It is part of a playground and belongs to a restaurant. It is nice but not as nice at it looks here. Still we went there often with our kids.
Sonja Van Hoof 3 years ago
Thank you for the reminder that, on the WWW, not everything you see is real.
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Ozymandias73 3 years ago
Looks like someone took a drawing out of a children's book and made it into reality.
Moo Moo Futch 3 years ago
Hansel and Gretel is a brothers Grimm fairy tale so I am going to assume that either a description of the house was provided or an illustration for the builders to go by.
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Fantasyatelier 3 years ago
It has some nice features inside en this gorgeous playground! I think it's not so well known in Holland
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Nika Strokappe 2 years ago
This picture is only featuring party if the playground, on the left the candy store and right side climbing and slides. The pancake restaurant itself is also very cool (lots of "magic" inside as well. And they opened a haunted house a couple of months ago. https://www.hansengrietjezeewolde.nl/
Alex de Lannoy 2 years ago
What? Such a small country I live in and I just learned about it now??? ….. it still is like one hour and a half away by car though 😅
Carlos Papacidero 3 years ago
Have been there this week for the second time and this time I took some Dutch friends that were amazed by the place and the fact that they haven’t heard about it. The place is magical indeed and the picture is just showing the slider of the playground. Restaurant itself is also all about fantasy.
#6
Kylemore Abbey In The Fog, Connemara, Galway, Ireland
kathryn stretton 3 years ago
It's pictures like this that explain why Ireland is known as 'The emerald isle.'
“Today, modular construction based on simple geometry and industrially produced components is used to create everything from houses to public buildings for the simple reason that it is extremely cost-effective,” the professor explained.
Moreover, “by way of contrast, both the very old and the very new, sometimes still conceptual buildings that people share on the ‘beautiful impossibilities we want to live in’ subreddit are anything but standardized boxes designed with cost-effectiveness in mind. Instead, these buildings tend toward the elaborate and surprising, whether that comes in the form of flowing organic lines, strangely abrupt geometries, or dizzying feats of engineering,” Yaszek explained.
#7
The Reading Room - Royal Portuguese Cabinet Of Reading - Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
#8
Nasir-Ol-Molk Mosque, Also Known As Pink Mosque, A Traditional Shiraz Mosque, Iran
#9
Stained Glass Ceiling Hotel - Gran Hotel Ciudad De México, Mexico City
“Similarly,” she argues, “whether they are intricately detailed or severely plain, whether they dazzle the eye with a flurry of gem-like colors or invite it to rest peacefully on expanses of neutral blacks, grass, and whites, these beautiful impossibilities remind us that there are other, perhaps more important, values than efficiency.”
Yaszek explained that “instead, these buildings are literal monuments to human creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance—especially since so many of these architectural marvels were constructed before modern materials, machinery, and in some cases, even before modern math!”
#10
Les Espaces D'abraxas, France
Moo Moo Futch 3 years ago
Has anyone been inside one? I look at them and I'm fascinated by how from above you can't really see them but inside I imagine they might be quite dark.
#11
Hawa Mahal In Jaipur, India
Alexandria Tyme 3 years ago
Palace of the winds, it was so the ladies of the palace could watch parades without being seen. I went there in 2019, it was amazing, but I love all of India
#12
A Beautiful House Surrounded By Rock And Trees In Hrensko
The professor believes that it’s no surprise that many of the people who comment on these images compare them to fairy tales and/or science fiction: "these buildings are so outside our everyday experience that we cannot help but think they must be from other times and worlds.”
“Finally, I love how these images bring people together, as viewers pool their knowledge of history, art, and culture to help each other make sense of the wonderful buildings and their origins. Imagine how fun it would be if we could all exchange our ideas about these buildings from inside, while exploring them together,” Yaszek concluded.
#13
Romanian Athenaeum, Bucharest
#14
The Inflatable "Gaia" Installation In The 18th Century Baroque Painted Hall Of The Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London, UK
#15
Pietragalla, Italy
#16
Leuven Town Hall (1448-1469) Belgium, One Of The Best-Known Gothic Town Halls Worldwide & It Took Three Architects And Thirty Years To Build It
#17
Art Nouveau Facade Of A Jewelry Store In Lille, Hauts-De-France, Northern France
#18
Château Frontenac, Quebec City, Canada
#19
Wisteria Covered Terraced House In Argyll Road, Kensington, London, UK
#20
Kailasa Temple In Ellora, India Made From A Single Rock
Izzy 3 years ago
my brain can't even fathom the skill of architects, construction workers, planners, designers etc making structures from multiple pieces, never mind ones made from a single rock like this! and the fact that it's a very ancient building as well -- they were crazy freaking talented, and creative to be able to accomplish such feats w just their hands, mind and cruder/basic tools. mind: BLOWN
#21
Castillo De Colomares In Spain
#22
Trinity College Library - Dublin, Ireland
Jody Brown 3 years ago
From the rare vantage point of upstairs. I wish we had been allowed to go upstairs when we were there last week.
#23
Paris, France
HarriMissesScotland 3 years ago
I know I can't afford the rent, but just seeing that door everyday would make me happy.
#24
Mvrdv's Brand New Housing Complex In Amsterdam, Netherlands
#25
This Restaurant In Paris Looking Like A Museum
#26
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Boston
Ekaterina S 3 years ago
There is a documentary of this place concerning a heist which took place there!
#27
The 18th Babrican Gate Of Tollymore Forest, Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland
Robert Trebor 3 years ago
Barbican Gate: A barbican (from Old French: barbacane) is a fortified outpost or fortified gateway, such as at an outer defense perimeter of a city or castle, or any tower situated over a gate or bridge which was used for defensive purposes.
#28
Church In The Rock
#29
A Traditional Medieval Cave House With A Courtyard Found In The Desert Of Libya
#30
Chahar Bagh, Esfehan, Iran
#31
Astronomical Tower In Prague, Czech Republic
Ozymandias73 3 years ago
I marvel at this every time I see pictures of this. Thanks to my late great aunt, I have a fascination for clocks.
#32
Baps Akshardham Temple, Delhi, India
Robert Trebor 3 years ago
If our time doesn't build beautiful places, what does that say about us? We applaud previous generations for beauty, but complain about the now.
#33
The Iconic San Francisco Cliff House Before It Was Destroyed In A 1907 Fire
#34
Castillo De Colomares, Spain
Katinka Min 3 years ago
A monument to celebrate Christopher Columbus. It looks great, but I wish it had a different purposse.
#35
Drachenburg Castle In Germany, Built In 1884
Mathieu Brouwers 3 years ago
In the second half of the 19th century, those who could afford it would build their own folly. This is possibly the world's largest. I agree you can live in it, but for the rest ...
#36
Four Seasons Resort. Bali
Monique Reed 3 years ago
When it rains, does the lily pond made a waterfall all the way around?
#37
Opera Garnier In Paris
#38
Hammam Essalihine Is A Roman Bathhouse Still In Use After 2,000 Years In Khenchela, Algeria
#39
The Fox Theater's Stage From The Main Floor
A.M. Pierre 3 years ago
This is in Detroit, Michigan, USA. There's also a Fox Theater in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, which is not quite this elaborate but also isn't that far off, either.
#40
Niagara Mohawk Building Built In Art Deco Style, NYC
#41
Durbar Hall Of Mysore Palace, India
#42
Spectacular Adalaj Stepwell In Ahmedabad, India
#43
30th Street Station In Philly Is Like An Art Deco Cathedral
aubergine10003 3 years ago
A shame a lot of the walls are covered with giant banners of advertisements...this photo must've been taken during a transition or something.
#44
Brownstones In Park Slope, Brooklyn, NYC
#45
Hotel Belvédère, Switzerland
#46
Harbin Opera House Designed By Mad Architects
#47
Goethe's Lookout In The Czech Republic
#48
Grundtvig’s Church Interior
#49
Yemen
Brittney Sparks 3 years ago
Love how every other one is a specific building and then it goes .... Yemen! Like the whole thing lol
#50
Federal-Style House In The Snow, Washington, D. C
#51
Weinhardt Mansion (Chicago, 1888)
#52
A Cafe In Esfahan, Iran
#53
The Banff Springs Hotel, A 19th Century Châteauesque Hotel In The Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park, Banff, Alberta, Canada
Monique Reed 3 years ago
This is another former Canadian Pacific Railway hotel designed by Bruce Price--see Chateau Frontenac, above. Both are now hotels in the Fairmont chain.
#54
A Beautiful Library In Prague
#55
Bled, Slovenia
#56
Porch Of The Caryatids, Erechtheion, Acropolis Of Athens, Greece
#58
Today They Finished The Mary Tower-Sagrada Familia- Barcelona
Philip Oosthuizen 3 years ago
Not really a valid comment on the time taken gor construction. It is entirely funded by visitors and not a penny is supplied by either the city of Barcelona or the state. Since all the models and many of the llans were destroyed in a riot ALL the new construction is being re-engineered from what plans remain. It is (if i recall correctly) due for completion in 2026, the centenary of Antoni Gaudi's death. It is an impressive and absolutely beautiful "bucket list" building.
#59
No Words Can Describe This Village In Italy
#61
Vertical Forest - An Urban Treehouse That Protect Residents From Air And Noise Pollution
#62
The Ruins Of Spiš Castle Originally Built In The 12th Century, Now One Of The Largest Castle Sites In Central Europe
#63
Lviv, Ukraine, Europe
#64
Temple Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus, Barcelona, Spain
Shelley Dawson 3 years ago
Wow, what an amazing building, perfectly framed in this photograph. It's a beautiful marriage between two great arts.
#66
Hohenzollern Castle, Germany
PitbullmomAF 3 years ago
Every castle in Germany is beautiful. I tell people that I grew up with castles in my backyard
#69
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, Art Nouveau Department Store With A Neo-Byzantine-Infused Polychrome Glass Cupola Created By Master Glassworker Jacques Grüber
#71
Inntels Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam
#72
Peles Castle, Romania
#75
Fallingwater House (1939, By Frank Lloyd)
#76
Penn Station, Newark, Nj, 1935 (Colorized)
KING ILLEGAL FOREST 3 years ago
Back before going to Newark meant you have a 50/50 chance of getting shot.
#77
Snake Bridge, UK. Anyone Want To Guess Its Function?
#79
The Palais Garnier, Also Known As Opéra Garnier
#82
The Green Church In Buenos Aires, Argentina
#83
Stuyvesant St., New York - USA
#85
This Is The Grasshopper Cafe In South Korea Made Out Of Train Cars
#87
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Terri Johnson 3 years ago
My absolute favorite city in the whole wide world! If you go to the Netherlands, besides Amsterdam you MUST visit Keukenhof Gardens, site of the bulb guild members and most photographed place on the planet.
#88
The Scottish Baronial Style 19th Century Carlowrie Castle In Kirkliston, Near Edinburgh, Scotland
#89
Lucky Knot Pedestrian Bridge Changsha, China
#90
The Abandoned 18th Century Moore Hall On Muckloon Hill, County Mayo, Ireland. It Was Burned Down In 1923 By The Old Ira
#91
Brutalist House In Iceland
#92
The Two Towers Of Garisenda And Degli Asinelli Are Commonly Recognized As Symbols Of Bologna And Were Built Between 1109 And 1119
#93
Brutalist Designed Villa On Riverside, Bali
#94
Rip Ricardo Bofill, One Of My Favorite Architects
#95
National Palace, Built In 1929 By Eugenio Cendoya/Enric Cata. Barcelona, Spain
Dariusz M. D. 3 years ago
I was surprised that tickets were valid for two days. It takes two days. Extraordinary art collection.
#96
Green Mansion, Bushehr, Iran | Ev Design Office | 2021
#97
Update On The New Castle Being Built In Poland. Photo Taken This Week
#98
Classic San Franciscan Victorian With A Very Modern Color Aesthetic
#99
Interesting Building In Ahmedabad
#100
Modern Concrete Built House With Indoor Pool Designed To Look Like A Lake
Anna McCloskey 3 years ago
I love the use of cement. The color of the "lake" in contrast with the cement is gorgeous.
#101
Geisel Library - 1970
#102
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge In Philly
#103
The Central Mosque - Cologne, Germany
Ozymandias73 3 years ago
Looks like a HQ for villains in a futuristic sci-fi movie or something.
#104
Black Themed Home Nestled In Forest. Portland USA
#105
Liebian International Building - Guiyang, China
Stephen Smith 3 years ago
What a waste of power, that building is not going to win any Eco awards.
#107
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Washington D. C ., USA
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What do you think ?
Jerry Mathers 3 years ago
Looking at these I am stunned at beauty, creativity, and work that went into building them. It would be nice if we humans, as a species, would, instead of weapons, would use things like "who has the most creative buildings, whose population has their needs met, or whose country produced the most creative art" as our measuring stick for determining who is best. The headlines could be "Russia, in a bid to take back parts of the Ukrainian nation, stepped up their attack today by achieving food access for 100% of the people. The Ukraine responded with matching Russias offensive, eliminating homelessness in the last 5%, and erecting roadside waystations, allowing all travelers a free place to rest. We will wait for the Russian response".
Joy 3 years ago
I love what you've written. I'm sitting here nodding because it would be such a fantastic thing and yet, with the same level of will and effort put into these beautiful buildings, would be simple to do. The complex fiendish plans for war could be used to affect ideas like yours. Other people know this too. So why don't the establishment/politicians/bankers/CEOs/world leaders? What does power and money do that it robs people of their humanity and heart?
Load More Replies... Local foodie 3 years ago
I wish I could’ve given many of these masterpieces multiple upvotes, they’re truly stunning
Jaekry 3 years ago
How on earth did Angkor Wat NOT made this list!? Walls 1meter solid, and you can keep a ruler to them so straight. It's so old, 12th century, it's the BIGGEST religious monument in the world. Took us three days, (and we don't even like temples that much) The shrines, the infinity, the moats, the delicate work with handmade tools. Sorry for the rant, but Christ the Redeemer makes world lists, and Angkor Wat doesn't. Must be about being well-known only
Jerry Mathers 3 years ago
Looking at these I am stunned at beauty, creativity, and work that went into building them. It would be nice if we humans, as a species, would, instead of weapons, would use things like "who has the most creative buildings, whose population has their needs met, or whose country produced the most creative art" as our measuring stick for determining who is best. The headlines could be "Russia, in a bid to take back parts of the Ukrainian nation, stepped up their attack today by achieving food access for 100% of the people. The Ukraine responded with matching Russias offensive, eliminating homelessness in the last 5%, and erecting roadside waystations, allowing all travelers a free place to rest. We will wait for the Russian response".
Joy 3 years ago
I love what you've written. I'm sitting here nodding because it would be such a fantastic thing and yet, with the same level of will and effort put into these beautiful buildings, would be simple to do. The complex fiendish plans for war could be used to affect ideas like yours. Other people know this too. So why don't the establishment/politicians/bankers/CEOs/world leaders? What does power and money do that it robs people of their humanity and heart?
Load More Replies... Local foodie 3 years ago
I wish I could’ve given many of these masterpieces multiple upvotes, they’re truly stunning
Jaekry 3 years ago
How on earth did Angkor Wat NOT made this list!? Walls 1meter solid, and you can keep a ruler to them so straight. It's so old, 12th century, it's the BIGGEST religious monument in the world. Took us three days, (and we don't even like temples that much) The shrines, the infinity, the moats, the delicate work with handmade tools. Sorry for the rant, but Christ the Redeemer makes world lists, and Angkor Wat doesn't. Must be about being well-known only
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