50 Times Architects Really Outdid Themselves And Deserved To Be Praised Online (New Pics)
It’s articles like this one that make us want to become architects and change the world forever with our creativity, skills, and designs. The world is full to the brim with impressive architectural projects that go beyond pleasing just our eyes: when we see them, we genuinely feel like they energize our imagination and reinvigorate our spirit.
One popular subreddit, with over 1.3 million members, celebrates “beautiful impossibilities that we want to live in.” The photos of these architectural marvels are staggeringly gorgeous. This is the best that humankind has to offer. And it feels like it. Scroll down for the very best of architectural design, upvote the pics that resonated with you the most, and tell us what you loved the most and why, dear Pandas.
Here at Bored Panda, we are huge fans of architecture, design, and all things beautiful. When you’ve enjoyed this list to the fullest, be sure to take a peek at our earlier features about the subreddit right over here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.
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The Water Reflection Of The Bridge
Tis Beautiful Stone Bridge
This Elegant Staircase That Leads Directly Into The Sea. Artatore, Croatia
Though we can’t mention the full name of the architecturally-inclined subreddit (internet censorship is the worst, believe us!), we can’t stress enough just how awesome the community really is.
It is chock-full of beauty, mind-bending ideas, and enough inspiration to get any and all artists out of any creative blocks that they might have. Seriously. If you’re having a bad day or feel that your imagination has run dry, just soak in all of the photos in this list. They’ll help. Oh, and if any of you Pandas are on the fence about studying architecture, this is the sign from the Universe that you were waiting for: do it!
Edinburgh, Scotland
Using The Classical Technique Of Trompe-L'œil, A Modernist Bloc In Berlin, Germany Was Transformed To Become Less Dystopic
Oak Wood Imperial Staircase In Castel Savoia, A 19th Century Eclectic Style Villa Built For The Queen Consort Of The Kingdom Of Italy, Margherita Of Savoy As A Holiday Home In Valle D'aosta, Northwestern Italy
The subreddit is absolutely massive and has a large following. It’s hard to not see the appeal of the community: everyone’s sharing beautiful photos of impressive buildings and places. It really sparks your innermost desire to pack a bag and travel somewhere new. Wanting to go on an adventure is a very human thing… building places worth visiting is the other side of that coin.
Cottage Between Rocks, France
Corner Bookstore Selling Vintage Books In Buxton, A Market Town In High Peak, Derbyshire, England
I’m sat writing this about 30 yards away from Scrivener’s, my flat is built in the same stone and is of a similar style. It’s a nice town 😀 To those who are asking, there’s a cellar and a loft, the angle of the photo makes the pitch look too shallow for a loft but it’s deceptive. There are 5 floors, you can’t advertise something like that in the U.K. if it’s not true. If you’ve ever drank Buxton water and paid Nestlé a stupid amount for a litre then visit Buxton and bottle it from our spring for free 😀
Sığacık, İzmir, Turkey
If you plan on being an active and friendly member of the subreddit’s community, then you’ve got to commit to following the group’s rules. They’ve actually got a massive and well-structured FAQ available for everyone to browse. It details, well, pretty much everything: from the photo submission guidelines to what types of images are better off being shared on other subreddits. All of the rules help the sub’s mods focus on their preferred niche.
Azure Blue Pool At Hearst Castell, San Simeon, California
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac Towering Above Old Québec
The Castle And Chapel On St Michael's Mount, A Tidal Island In Mount's Bay, Cornwall, England, Which Have Been The Home Of The St Aubyn Family Since Approximately 1650
A lot of the buildings and locations featured in this article look amazing, that’s true. But how many of them would make for a good home? Sure, it’s fascinating to explore an ancient castle with a regal library, but consider the practical aspects of living there.
How much time would you spend dusting and cleaning everything? What would you do about heating? What’s the commute situation like if you’ve got to show up to your office half the workweek? (Though if you’ve bought yourself a castle, we assume that travel expenses and work, in general, aren’t much of an issue!)
One Of The Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) Residential Buildings In Milan
There should be no reason why all our skyscrapers aren’t just like this, except having food growing plants.
Until a butternut squash falls twenty stories on to someone’s head!
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All those trees must help to shade the inside and make it much cooler and more comfortable in hot weather.
It actually isn't comfortable, it becomes pretty dark, dingy, and depressing.
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Wondering about the root systems. Our trees are always intermingling with our pipes. Beautiful, though.
The place is amazing, and the engineering to build it was cutting edge. Just below there is a large park that's called "The Tree's Library" hosting lot of events and with plenty of green space. Very close by there is a main railway station, a few metro stations and the super new skyscrapers and business towers of Milan. Just a few minutes away there is one of the hip nightlife areas of the city. Maintenance of the trees is managed by a in-house team, and is part of the condo fees. That all together puts quite a price on living there: a 80 sq. m studio cost up to a cool 1.2 million, and can be rented at about 4000 €/month. In both cases, add 20.000 €/year of condo expenses.
Has this been successful? I'm curious bc I can see many issues that might have to have been resolved
It is. At the beginning there was some issue with the watering system, that was smoothed out quickly. The condos are for sale at an eye-watering price, and among the people living there there is a list of celebrities. The trees have a safety system preventing fall of branches. Last February a wind storm hit the city, winds at 150+ km/h, that damaged even medieval buildings: no damages to or from the trees were reported. Bosco Verticale is considered one of the most innovative buildings of the last decade, inspired several other upcoming projects on a variety of scales from tiny to huge. In 2014 it won the International Highrise Award prize for "Best building in the world" . In 2015 the Illinois Institute of Technology of Chicago voted Bosco Verticale as "Best Architecture in the world" (second place was NYC's One World Trade Center), and the same institute later included the building in the list of "50 iconic buildings of the last 50 years".
Load More Replies... Oh my. Yes please!!! I hope if humanity comes to its senses and becomes an Agrarian society, that all buildings could somehow be modified to be like this as well as growing crops!
Trees require water but are otherwise self sufficient. Fruiting and vegetable plants would need care all during their growth cycle.
When I zoom in on the top, directly in the middle looks like a giant military man in a green baseball cap and white t-shirt leaning on his elbows over the side and standing next to a tank. Once I saw it, I can't stop seeing it now. 😂
Tree-hugging city-dwellers fantasize too much. Stuff doesn't just grow. It takes a LOT of maintenance. Eventually, it becomes a PITA. I grew up on a farm and so did most of my friends. We dreamed of becoming city-dwellers.
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They don't do this at every place because the root system would break apart the structural components, therefore negatively affecting integrity in a major way. I can't accept that if every building did this that the owner or operator of the complex would be able to maintain it. THAT is why there are very few of this building. The idea is fantastic. It's just not realistic.
Over 10 years ago I advised one of my students applying for architecture to say this was her vision. I said, picture Hong Kong swaying with the wind, very gently, buildings that work WITH the landscape. Why do we humans make things with straight lines? Imagine, I said, buildings with roots sucking up the heat below for power, and the plants cleaning the air.... imagine incorporating into the forest, gaining its wisdom .... And it's coming true! All respect to these architects, engineers, etc
I look at this and all I can think is "Beasties" (eugh, shiver) My home would be full of creepy crawlies constantly and I would never sleep again! Also I can't help but wonder, if like me, you live in a country like Scotland that gets a lot of rain then keeping your home from getting damp would be an issue with all this foliage?
Natural History Museum, London, England. Stunning Architecture!
Nuru Karim's Rain Water Catcher Highlights Water Conservation And Climate Change
The long and short of it is that only you can tell if you’d love or loathe to live in a particular place. The most aesthetically pleasing buildings might be a pure headache to maintain. Similarly, a quirky historical home might steal your heart and make you want to settle down there.
A while back, Bored Panda spoke with Ariane Sherine, editor at ‘These Three Rooms,’ about buying and redecorating properties. She noted that if you see a house that you love, ignore what everyone else thinks and go for it—buy it. (Of course, after you get it checked out in terms of safety, etc.)
Inside Of City Palace In Jaipur, India
Several Jaipur posts here. I hope the giant sundial will pop up somehwere, or the honeycomb building. But whatvI liked most was a dusty place called Lassi Walla, with the most amazing youghurt drinks served in clay cups you could keep, made a few meters from the lassi-mixing barrel.
Bruges, Belgium
150 Meter Aluminum Sea Serpent Skeleton Sculpture From Saint Brevin, France
“A home which functions perfectly in terms of everything working correctly and has a beautiful design aesthetic is the dream,” the design expert told us earlier.
“Strip any hideous wallpaper, take up any awful carpet, and start over. I'm a fan of neutral decor with white or cream walls and oak flooring, but that's not everyone's thing,” the expert shared how you can start redecorating your new old home.
Jal Mahal (Water Palace), Jaipur, India
Petra, Jordan
been there this year.... there is so much to see, fantastic site and great country
The Ask House, An 1890s Queen Anne-Style House Originally Built In 1890 On Dayton Avenue That Was Then Moved To Ashland Avenue In 1977, Saint Paul, Minnesota
“Create a mood board featuring decor you like. Choose four colors maximum per room, stick them on the board and see if they all go together. Everyone has their own unique sense of style; the important thing is that you love your home's interior. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks.”
The Abbey, Mont St Michel, France
The Soft Glow Of Night, Dean Village, Edinburgh
Azadi (Freedom) Tower, Tehran, Iran
Alas, many of our house-related dreams are limited by our wallets. Yours truly would love to have a literal castle. But all of the ones that I’ve got my eye out on are a wee bit out of my budget.
“If you're struggling to find somewhere within your budget, it may be worth looking at Help to Buy schemes if you're a first-time buyer, and shared ownership schemes if not. Alternatively, explore downsizing, or look in different locations,” Ariane told Bored Panda.
The General Electric Building, New York City. Designed By Cross & Cross (1931)
The House That Fernando De Higueras Díaz Designed For Himself In Madrid. He Was A Famous Spanish Architect In The 1970s
The Fountain Room At Hammond Castle - Gloucester, Ma [oc][3331x4163]
![The Fountain Room At Hammond Castle - Gloucester, Ma [oc][3331x4163]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/6372367e6733b_tud17z6ehvh91__700.jpg "The Fountain Room At Hammond Castle - Gloucester, Ma [oc][3331x4163]")
“The further you are from a city, the cheaper property usually is. Though any savings may be obliterated by the cost of commuting to work and traveling generally, so do factor that in,” she said that you have to look at the whole picture. When you see the broader context, you can start thinking about what compromises to make and where.
“Only you know what compromises you're willing to make, but it really is worth getting on the property ladder as early in life as possible. Though I appreciate that can often be extremely difficult.”
Dining / Kitchen / Bedroom / Study In Tiny Home [1000 X 1335] Byron Bay, Australia
![Dining / Kitchen / Bedroom / Study In Tiny Home [1000 X 1335] Byron Bay, Australia](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/63723658c59a0_yq73vx8q4lm91__700.jpg "Dining / Kitchen / Bedroom / Study In Tiny Home [1000 X 1335] Byron Bay, Australia")
Beautiful Spiral Staircase In Bojnice, Slovakia
Temple Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus In Barcelona Spain. For Sure One Of My Favorite Buildings, Also Known As Tibidabo Church
Architect Sami Angawi House In Jeddah
The Tilework Of Esfahan, Iran
The Royal Palace Of Naples
German Restaurant Repurposed Giant Wine Barrels To "Eating Pods"
Traditional Uyghur Architecture, Kashgar
The Schwerin Castle Surrounded By Water
The Basilica Cistern (Istanbul, Turkey) [oc]
![The Basilica Cistern (Istanbul, Turkey) [oc]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/637237d72df99_kfm2we1s8ne91__700.jpg "The Basilica Cistern (Istanbul, Turkey) [oc]")
A Tudor-Style House In Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Statue Of A Eagle Demi God Jatayu Situated In The Sate Of Kerala, India
Statue of Jatayu in his death throes, after confronting the Demon King of Lanka Ravan.... From the Hindu epic Ramayana.
This Beautiful "Wooden Cave" In Trikala, Greece
The World's Oldest Underground Station, Baker Street, London, 159 Years Apart. It Is One Of The Original Stations Of The Metropolitan Railway, The World's First Underground Railway, Which Opened On 10 January 1863
Built Roughly 1942 Years Ago The Colosseum At Regio III Isis Et Serapis Is An Architectural Icon Amongst Architectural Icons In The City Of Rome
Arnavutköy, Istanbul
Heidelberg Castle Towering Over Heidelberg, Originally Built In The 13th Century And Expanded, Then Left As A Ruin During The 18th Century After Multiple Destructions, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Il Castel Del Monte, A Very Unusual, Totally Symmetrical Octagonal Castle Built During The 1240s By King Frederick II In Andria, Southern Italy
There's a time machine in the courtyard...or at least there is in the mobile game I'm currently playing (House of DaVinci III).
Cathedral Of Santa Maria Del Fiore - Florence, Italy
Ornate Architecture Of Buildings And Balconies In Valletta, Malta
Villa Elisa In Posillipo
Manasija Monastery, A Serbian Orthodox Monastery Established In Early 15th Century Which Is Surrounded By Massive Fortifications That Consists Of 11 Towers Linked With Huge Walls, Despotovac, Pomoravlje District, Central Serbia
Rock-Cut Cave Temples At Badami, Karnataka, India. Chalukya Dynasty, 6ᵗʰ Century Ce. [2592x1944]
![Rock-Cut Cave Temples At Badami, Karnataka, India. Chalukya Dynasty, 6ᵗʰ Century Ce. [2592x1944]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/63723702b7cdb_rl3bfnmn75c91__700.jpg "Rock-Cut Cave Temples At Badami, Karnataka, India. Chalukya Dynasty, 6ᵗʰ Century Ce. [2592x1944]")
Note: this post originally had 130 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
Troof! Maybe BP is finally getting the message. I've been seeing less objectionable posts (bashing, one-sided politics, stereotyping, etc) lately. (Ha - saw one right after writing this comment.)
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Gorgeous buildings for sure, but many of these were built before there were "architects". Master builder, master craftsman, great artists. But to show a house from 1698 next to a modern structure, we can't compare "architects" because one didn't utilize one. The post needs to be curated better.
"The Roman builder Marcus Vitruvius Pollio is often cited as the first architect. As chief engineer for Roman rulers such as Emperor Augustus, Vitruvius documented building methods and acceptable styles to be used by governments. His three principles of architecture are used as models of what architecture should be even today." Just because they didn't call them architects (although, to be fair, the word architect comes from the Greek word for carpenter, so maybe they did) doesn't mean there were not men who were hired to build a building that didn't fall down.
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All we seem to have now is copy/paste architecture. where one city after another are starting to look the same, not helped by high street all having the same stores.
There was much copy/paste architecture in the past as well. Has been demolished by now and only the nice ones remained. There is plenty of good architecture now, too!
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We human beings are capable of creating so much beauty and yet so many of us are set on destruction...
So many beautiful places / buildings / locations, thank you for Posting! It was nice to look at all this picture and to learn!
It missing the ancient architecture of India build by cutting a single rock. Kailash_te...82-png.jpg 
Very beautiful. Too bad so many ppl around the world live in poverty + tenements. It must be nice to be rich.
I wish someone had added the Carson mansion in Eureka, CA. It’s the most intensely detailed Queen Anne Victorian I’ve ever seen
Troof! Maybe BP is finally getting the message. I've been seeing less objectionable posts (bashing, one-sided politics, stereotyping, etc) lately. (Ha - saw one right after writing this comment.)
Load More Replies... Gorgeous buildings for sure, but many of these were built before there were "architects". Master builder, master craftsman, great artists. But to show a house from 1698 next to a modern structure, we can't compare "architects" because one didn't utilize one. The post needs to be curated better.
"The Roman builder Marcus Vitruvius Pollio is often cited as the first architect. As chief engineer for Roman rulers such as Emperor Augustus, Vitruvius documented building methods and acceptable styles to be used by governments. His three principles of architecture are used as models of what architecture should be even today." Just because they didn't call them architects (although, to be fair, the word architect comes from the Greek word for carpenter, so maybe they did) doesn't mean there were not men who were hired to build a building that didn't fall down.
Load More Replies... All we seem to have now is copy/paste architecture. where one city after another are starting to look the same, not helped by high street all having the same stores.
There was much copy/paste architecture in the past as well. Has been demolished by now and only the nice ones remained. There is plenty of good architecture now, too!
Load More Replies... We human beings are capable of creating so much beauty and yet so many of us are set on destruction...
So many beautiful places / buildings / locations, thank you for Posting! It was nice to look at all this picture and to learn!
It missing the ancient architecture of India build by cutting a single rock. Kailash_te...82-png.jpg
Very beautiful. Too bad so many ppl around the world live in poverty + tenements. It must be nice to be rich.
I wish someone had added the Carson mansion in Eureka, CA. It’s the most intensely detailed Queen Anne Victorian I’ve ever seen
