Our homes are our castles… that old maxim dates from the days when one’s abode was a slovenly hovel, a well-mannered manor house or even an actual castle. The same goes for public buildings, apartment blocks and factories. Our buildings are the covers our enterprises – and ourselves – are judged by. These 136 brilliant buildings show, in so many ways, that when it comes to architecture skyscrapers reflect our soaring imaginations.
15 Amazing Monasteries, Sanctuaries and Abbies
Isolation, sacrifice, piety and purity – the severe qualities religious ascetics demand from themselves, they also require from their buildings. These incredible structures were built to house the most devoted of the faithful and neither hardship nor difficulty was allowed to stand in the way of their completion. From the sides of sheer cliffs to the tops of monumental pillars of stone, the houses of the holy were built to last for centuries – to glorify He who built the world in 7 days. Click Here for more Amazing Monasteries, Sanctuaries and Abbies
15 Immaculate Temples, Cathedrals and Churches
From time immemorial, religious leaders sought to display the rightness of their sect by constructing buildings that reflected the power and the glory of their Lord. Indeed, churches (and castles) were the forerunners of today’s glittering centers of power. They were an effective way to show the people, “Hey, my God is the greatest… just look at his house!” Click Here for more examples of Immaculate Temples, Cathedrals and Churches
7 Urban Wonders of the Modern World
Urban life is the hallmark of the modern man – and the modern woman. Our structures have surpassed being merely the sum of their bricks & mortar and have entered the realm of wonder: they do not just stand, they soar! Click Here for some astonishing examples of Urban Wonders of the Modern World
15 Cool High School, College and University Building Designs
Too cool for school? Not these cutting edge-ucational facilities! If students benefit from learning in inspiring surroundings, we may expect a gradual succession of graduates inspired to change their world, year after year. And while nothing can diminish the classic look of ivy-covered ivory towers, these totally rad school buildings are in no way short of, er, class. Click Here for more examples of Cool High School, College and University Building Designs
Architecture to Go: 10 Great Gas Station Designs
The lure of the open road beckons and you’ve got a tiger in your tank. Fill ‘er up? From the look of some of these fired-up gas stations you’d think they were dispensing rocket fuel for your Olds Rocket 88. No one knows why filling stations featured 9and feature) such ambitious, breathtaking designs but when the sign says “last gas for 100 miles”, you make an effort to look special. Now you’re cooking… with gas! Click Here for more examples of Architecture to Go: 10 Great Gas Station Designs
20 Amazing Airport, Train & Bus Station Designs
David Bowie once sang, “you ride like a demon from station to station”, and some of the world’s most outstanding travel stops look otherworldly indeed. It’s also been said that the journey is more interesting than the destination – and it sure is, if you’re passing through these transportation hubs along the way. Trippin’ yet? You will be; the adventure doesn’t really start until you stop. Click Here for more examples of Amazing Airport, Train & Bus Station Designs
Beyond Brutalism: Creative Concrete Architecture
Massive. Hulking. Brutal. These words describe an architectural style that surprised many by its wide spread and long lifetime as the style of choice. Take a closer look and be surprised all over again – many of these concrete classics are beautiful brutes, well worth a second glance. Even the word “Brutalist” reveals new layers of meaning: the word was coind from the French “béton brut” = “raw concrete”. Raw. Unadulterated. Fresh. Need more proof? Click Here for more examples of buildings Beyond Brutalism: Creative Concrete Architecture
12 Unbelievable Examples of Buildings in Motion: From Floating Churches to Rotating Skyscrapers
Architecture can inspire, but can it move you? Can you move them? Sometimes the answer is YES on both counts… as in the case of these dozen dynamic, kinetic constructions. Though not for those inclined to vertigo, many of these unique buildings were built with permanence in mind – until Man and Nature intervened. Ancient Egypt, America’s Atlantic coast, even merrye olde England have seen seemingly solid structures suddenly shift. Click Here for more examples of Unbelievable Examples of Buildings in Motion
15 Awesome Architectural Optical Illusions
All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream… and these eye-bending buildings seem dreamlike indeed! Fooling the eye with an optical illusion is cheaper than remodeling an existing structure. Buildings designed to be visually interesting tend to remain interesting much longer. It all depends on how you look at them – literally. Click Here for more examples of Awesome Architectural Optical Illusions
Unbuilt Buildings: 12 Awesome Future Architectural Designs
History is made every day and who can say what wondrous architectural designs are yet to leap off the drafting table and into being? Well, WE can; plans for wild & woolly buildings bigger and better than before are being floated as we speak – read – whatever. Architects are a competitive bunch who are constantly looking to get their designs and names into the limelight. It’s up to the engineers to make these outlandish fantasies work in real life but for now… all we have to do is dream. Click Here for more Unbuilt Buildings: 12 Awesome Future Architectural Designs
