Designers and artists may draw great inspiration from some of the world’s most iconic structures, whether for design projects, ornamental elements or structural forms. Each structure reveals much about a nation at the time it was constructed; similar to looking back through history photos; however unlike photographs they continue to evolve long after construction has finished.
Here Are 10 Amazing Iconic Structures To Inspire You
1. Airport Beijing Daxing International
Beijing’s second international airport surpassed Istanbul as the world’s largest when it opened in 2019, becoming known as “The Starfish”. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects before she passed away, not only does this building look stunning but its structure also serves to facilitate travelers. Not only that but its design embodies both practicality and beauty – something few buildings can boast of being.
2. Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum
Frank Gehry completed the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum, designed by him, in 1997. It’s an intricate arrangement of shiny tiles and curvilinear, smooth lines; one end is connected by a bridge topped with an enormous skylight in the shape of metal flowers; its design so intricate that Gehry needed cutting-edge software used by aerospace industry for completion.
3. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
The Sagrada Familia basilica by Antoni Gaud is often recognized as one of the oldest active building projects. Over 130 years after construction began, Antoni Gaud’s basilica remains incomplete. Antoni Gaud had originally scheduled it to be complete by 2026 but this deadline appears likely to be postponed even further; just two decades less time than was taken by Great Wall of China construction! Nonetheless, its grandiose combination of architectural forms includes nearly liquid-like spires, intricate facades, decorative arches and vibrant stained glass make this project a sight to behold even as construction progresses!
4. Notre Dame, Paris
Notre Dame de Paris has long been one of the world’s most iconic churches, and its fame was further cemented when a fire devastated it in April 2019. To ensure we preserve it in all its splendor, we’ve included it on our list. Construction started here back in 1160; since then it has been repeatedly damaged and rebuilt. According to French President Emmanuel Macron, up to 1,000 oak trees may be needed for reconstruction accurately as before.
5. Baku’s Heydar Aliyev Center
One of the most well-known structures created by the renowned Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid is the Heydar Aliyev Center. The building, which is in Baku, Azerbaijan, was finished in 2012 and received praise for its recognizable flowing lines and lack of acute angles. After a 2007 competition, the project was given to Zaha Hadid Architects.
6. Cathedral of Brasilia, Brasilia
With its stunning stained glass and crown-like construction, this curving wonder in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia is equally as stunning inside as it is outside. Oscar Niemeyer, a renowned architect from Brazil, and Lcio Costa designed it between 1958 and 1970. It’s interesting to note that both architects were communists given the religious environment. By embracing the magnificence of the curve, their work opposes the peer-preferred tendency toward cube-like design.
7. Harpa Concert Hall, Reykjavik
With its intricate stained glass and crown-like construction, this magnificent curving marvel in Brasilia’s Brazilian capital stands out as an architectural triumph on both the inside and out. Oscar Niemeyer of Brazil was responsible for its creation between 1958 and 1970 along with Lcio Costa; both communists created it against peer preference toward cube-based designs. By embracing its magnificence by emphasizing curves over cubes.
8. Milwaukee Art Museum, Wisconsin
Olafur Elasson, an Icelandic-Danish artist, collaborated with Henning Larsen Architects and Batteri Architects to design the Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik (opens in new tab). When you enter, its crystalline shell dazzles your senses by shifting light and color in different ways – like an immersive shimmering sculpture linking sky and water at seashore locations.
9. Forbidden City, Beijing
The Milwaukee Art Museum is an impressive structure comprised of three separate buildings designed by three distinctive architects: Eero Saarinen, a Finnish-American architect, designed the War Memorial Center in 1957; David Kahler and Santiago Calatrava of Spain created their Kahler Buildings respectively in 1975 and 2001 respectively, respectively; Santiago Calatrava created his Quadracci Pavilion shortly thereafter with its flying buttresses, pointed arches, and ribbed vaults as hallmark Calatrava features; its cable stay footbridge connects immediately to Wisconsin Avenue while offering views over Lake Michigan while automobiles arrive through parking garage with underground vaulted entrance while pedestrians cross Lincoln Memorial Drive to arrive and proceed into its interior before entering its interior.
Santiago Calatrava is best known for creating his Quadracci Pavilion design which connects immediately to Wisconsin Avenue while immediately overlooking Lake Michigan through Wisconsin Avenue while pedestrians cross Lincoln Memorial Drive via footbridge that connects it directly while pedestrians can use Lincoln Memorial Drive on footbridge before entering its interior for automobile parking garage entry; whils pedestrians arrive through Lincoln Memorial Drive itself, while automobiles arrive through parking garage with underground vaulted entrance to arrive via Lincoln Memorial Drive to continue into it and enter and enter via Lincoln Memorial Drive via bridge crossing Lincoln Memorial Drive bridge before heading into its interior for its presence.
10. The Dancing House, Prague
This collection of 980 structures was built between 1406 and 1420 AD as China’s capital from Ming dynasty until end of Qing dynasty rule. Palace Museum located within old royal palace was designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and attracts approximately 16 million visitors per year, or an average of 40,000 per day, boasting the world’s largest restored historic wooden buildings collection.
Also Read – Best 25 Photos Of People At Airports – That Will Make You Think Twice