The main architectural sights of Russia. Smolny Resurrection Cathedral - the holy benefactor

The architectural monuments of Russia, ranging from majestic palaces and cathedrals with a thousand-year history to modern buildings, amaze tourists with their originality and brightness. A rare city in the Russian Federation cannot boast of a rich castle, a fancy house or unusual bridge. However, there are masterpieces that you simply cannot help but admire!

Intercession Cathedral

The ancient architectural monuments of Russia are, first of all, luxurious temples. The Intercession Cathedral has managed to become famous all over the world due to its uniqueness and unusualness. The building looks like an ensemble formed by nine pillar-shaped churches (independent). All of them are located on the same basement (base), united by internal and external galleries.

The cathedral, included in the list of the largest Russian historical and architectural museums, is located in the "heart" of the capital - on the territory of Red Square. The majestic church was erected by order of Ivan the Terrible in the middle of the 16th century, today it is known as St. Basil's Cathedral. The richness of the appearance was the result of the game of the creators with two materials: white stone and brick. The variety of decor, which distinguishes many famous architectural monuments in Russia, has been achieved thanks to several types of brick processing profiles used in different combinations.

Saint Isaac's Cathedral

Even guests of St. Petersburg who find themselves on the territory of the "second capital" on their way should definitely visit St. Isaac's Cathedral. grand building in its current form was erected in 1818-1858, based on the project developed by the architect Auguste Montferrand. However, like many other Russian architectural monuments of the 19th century, the cathedral has a longer history, which begins with a small church founded in the early 18th century. The temple is one of the largest domed buildings on the planet, the diameter of the dome is 21.8 meters, over 100 kg of gold was spent on its creation.

Tourists are attracted not only by the intricate dome painting depicting biblical scenes, but also by the rich interior decoration of the cathedral - valuable types of marble, malachite, lapis lazuli, and gilding. The high colonnade is one of the main reasons for the popularity of the temple. Using the narrow one, you can find yourself at a height of 43 meters and enjoy the unique views of St. Petersburg.

Unusual bridges

The architectural monuments of Russia include original bridges built not only in past centuries, but also today. The whole world knows about the existence in Volgograd. The building earned its nickname in 2010, when swaying occurred as a result of a wind load. Despite the significant (about a meter) road surface and supports, they retained their integrity. The safety of the bridge was achieved with the help of special shock absorbers.

You can admire the Krasnoyarsk Communal Bridge, which is one of the symbols of Siberia, not only when visiting the city, but also looking at a banknote (10 rubles). The building was erected during the reign of Khrushchev, for a long period it was considered the longest Asian bridge, the length is 2300 meters. The unique technology that the builders have resorted to is interesting: the rejection of safety supports.

Manezhnaya Square

Manege Square, which cannot be ignored when listing the architectural monuments of Russia, is considered the first outstanding masterpiece of the famous Tsereteli in Moscow, it is located near the Historical Museum and the Manege, built in 1817, until the 30s of the last century was “framed” by urban dense buildings . The square was liberated in 1932 in connection with the construction of the subway.

Grandiose construction on the square began only in the early 90s. Was created " Okhotny Ryad”, which became the first Moscow shopping complex located underground. Also, under the leadership of Tsereteli, a dazzling cascade of fountains with huge horses, lighting and cozy benches saw the light. Since then, Manezhnaya Square has been perceived as a continuation of the Alexander Garden.

Winter Palace

The Hermitage is rightly considered one of the most magnificent colorful examples of the dawn of the magnificent baroque, many noteworthy architectural monuments of Russia of those times. A palace structure that left other buildings far behind northern capital due to its beauty and size, it was created by the architect Rastrelli and was planned as the residence of the Russian tsars.

The building, which overshadowed other architectural monuments of Russia of the 18th century, occupies huge area, currently includes the Hermitage Theatre, Old, New, Small Hermitage. In fact, construction continued from 1764 to 1852. Each facade is unlike the others, as the creators took into account the peculiarities of the area. Winter Palace has the shape of a rectangle, has an inner (front) courtyard, corner ledges.

Kolomna Palace

Many architectural monuments of Russia of the 17th century not only survived the reconstruction, but were also restored almost from scratch. This list also includes the Kolomna Palace, which looked like an intricate system of wooden cages (rooms), united by passages. Its creators were Russian architects Petrov and Mikhailov, who attracted the most outstanding masters of the capital of that time to work.

The building, thanks to its luxurious exotic decor (gilded leather, biblical ceiling and wall paintings, wood carvings) delighted foreign guests, stood for a century and was destroyed in 1767. The surviving layout made it possible to restore a chic building in Moscow.

Novodvinsk fortress

In the era of Peter the Great, many interesting monuments Russian architecture. The list includes the pride of Russian soldiers, which instilled fear in foreigners. Having survived many bloody battles, the building was partially preserved.

IN northern zone In Russia, this is the first building to become a bastion-type fortress. The architectural style is Dutch, examples of such structures are found in Europe and America. The fortress has the appearance of a square structure, includes four bastions, the distance between which is approximately 120 meters.

Annunciation Cathedral

One of the most interesting buildings in Voronezh is the Annunciation Cathedral, designed by the architect Shevelev. The temple belongs to the Russian-Byzantine direction, its history is connected with the year the city was founded - 1586. Initially, the building was wooden, it was rebuilt many times. The destruction of the cathedral happened during the Great Patriotic War.

Like other architectural monuments of Russia, photos of which are given above, the church was restored (in 1998). Now the cathedral is located in a different place, belongs to a slightly different style, the interior decoration has been modified. As before, the temple fascinates with its dimensions, not getting lost even against the backdrop of gigantic modern skyscrapers. Its height is 85 meters.

Of course, these are far from all the bright architectural monuments of Russia that are worth visiting at least once.

Modern cities are made up of buildings of all styles, sizes, designs and shapes - from wooden one-story shacks to high-tech buildings that look like they stepped out of the pages of science fiction novels. Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol once said: "Architecture is also a chronicle of the world: it speaks when both songs and legends are already silent." We invite you to make brief digression on structures that have become real architectural milestones in the history of mankind.

1. Hal Saflieni, Paola City, Malta

This underground sanctuary (hypogeum) is one of the most ancient buildings on Earth: according to some estimates, its construction began about six thousand years ago. Initially, Khal-Saflieni was used as a temple, and then began to serve as a burial place - during excavations, archaeologists discovered the remains of more than seven thousand ancient inhabitants of these places.

2. Pyramids of Giza, a suburb of Cairo, Egypt

The pyramids on the Giza Plateau are the only creation of the ancient architects of the legendary Seven Wonders of the World that has survived to this day (strictly speaking, only the highest of them, the Pyramid of Khufu, better known as the Pyramid of Cheops, is classified as a Miracle).

No wonder the Arabs say: "The world is afraid of time, and time is afraid of the pyramids" - for about four thousand years, the pyramid of Khufu was the tallest building on the planet and still amazes the imagination with its majesty and grandeur. Its height is 146.5 meters, the pyramids of Khafre (Chephren) and Menkaure (Mykerin) are slightly lower - 136.4 meters and 62 meters, respectively.

3. Temple of Jupiter, Baalbek, Lebanon

The debate about how the Egyptians managed to build "hills" of huge boulders weighing 2.5 tons will probably never subside. However, the builders of the temple of Jupiter in the ancient city of Baalbek could have given them a head start in terms of the size of the “bricks”: when building the temple, they used three blocks weighing 800 tons each, although there are smaller ones, “only” 350 tons each.

Two kilometers from the temple, archaeologists found a block called the "South Stone" - its weight reaches over 1000 tons, but for some reason the largest "brick" remained in the quarry.

4. Assyrian aqueduct near the village of Jervan, Iraq

It's hard to believe, but this masterpiece of Assyrian architects, built in 703-688 BC by order of King Sennacherib, is an ordinary water supply that provided water to the capital of the Assyrian Empire, Nineveh. The length of the most famous part of the aqueduct, made of limestone, is about 300 meters, and the height is about 10 meters, while the total length of the ancient water supply system is more than 80 km.

5. Machu Picchu, Peru

The amazing quality of the buildings in Machu Picchu is explained either by the skill of the masons, or, more likely, by the extreme cruelty of the foremen, who forced them to work the blocks with copper and bronze tools so that they fit very tightly to each other and stand without any bonding solution for hundreds of years.

6. Aqueducts of the Roman Empire

Rounded arches were invented in Mesopotamia about four thousand years ago, but they are known all over the world thanks to the Romans, who willingly used this architectural detail in the construction of their aqueducts.

The highest of the ancient Roman aqueducts that have survived to this day is the Pont du Gard, located on the territory of modern France. The aqueduct, built in 40-66 AD, was part of the water supply system of the city of Nîmes, the height of the Pont du Gard is 47 meters and its length is 275 meters.

7 Alexandria Window Glass

The first transparent panes in human history appeared in Alexandria around 100 AD (some historians say they are at least 200 years older). One of the Roman glassblowers living in the city guessed to add manganese oxide to the glass mass, as a result of which such an innovative, as they would say now, architectural solution appeared.

8. Concrete domes of Roman temples

The huge stone domes used in many Christian churches were first created by the Romans after the invention of concrete.

The oldest example of the use of a concrete dome is the temple of Mercury, built between the 27th year BC and the 14th year after, during the reign of Emperor Augustus. The largest unreinforced concrete dome belongs to the Pantheon in Rome, completed in 127 AD.

9. Linen processing plant in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK

At first glance this ancient building unremarkable, but meanwhile he is respectfully called the “grandfather of skyscrapers”: when building a factory commissioned by the British entrepreneur Charles Badge, the architect and engineer William Strutt was one of the first in the world to use cast-iron beams and metal structures, which gave the structure unprecedented strength.

The construction of the factory was completed in 1797, and for many years its design became a model for the construction of many other industrial and residential buildings.

10. Suspension bridge over the Schuylkill River, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

One of the first in the world suspension bridges, designed by engineers Erskine Hazard and Josiah White, was the largest of them at the time of opening in 1816, however, it stood for only about a year.

11. Great Orangery Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, UK

The structure, designed by Joseph Paxton, the author of the famous Crystal Palace in London, was for some time the largest in the world. glass building: its length was 96.2 meters, the width was 37.5 meters, and the greenhouse reached a height of 20.4 meters.

Paxton, who served as a gardener at the residence of the Dukes of Devonshire, amazed the guests of the estate with his unprecedented fantastic designs, but many of them were too impractical: for example, to maintain the temperature in the greenhouse, eight boilers had to be built and 11 km of pipes laid. The Great Orangery cost Chatsworth House so much that it was demolished in 1923.

12. Four-story house, suburb of Paris, France

A nondescript, graffiti-covered building on one of the northern outskirts of Paris is a real architectural monument, although it's hard to believe. Its creators, engineer Francois Coignet and architect Theodore Lachaise, were the first to use reinforced concrete as a building material, after which this practice became widespread.

13. Oriel Chambers, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK

Although the factory in Shrewsbury is called the “grandfather of skyscrapers”, this honorary epithet should rightfully belong to a building erected in 1864 by architect Peter Ellis: in Oriel Chambers, for the first time, load-bearing steel structures with window panes fixed to them were used - it was built using this technology most of most tall buildings planets.

14. Insurance Company Building, Chicago, Illinois, USA

The 42-meter building, built according to the project of William Le Baron Jenney, one of the most respected representatives of the Chicago school of architecture, belongs to the building, for the first time, so to speak, "scraped the sky."

The construction of the world's first skyscraper was completed in 1885, and in 1891 two more were added to its ten floors, and the height increased from 42 meters to 54.9 meters.

The architect, apparently, did not trust the strength of the steel frame too much, so he placed the concern for the stability of the building also on the back load-bearing wall and granite columns. Unfortunately, the first skyscraper has not survived to our time - in 1931 the building was demolished.

15. Ingalls Building, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Chicago is considered the birthplace of skyscrapers, but the world's first such structure made of reinforced concrete appeared in the city of Cincinnati in 1903. An unprecedented 15-story building 64 meters high was designed by the architectural bureau Elzner & Anderson for Melville Ingalls, one of the American financial tycoons of the early 20th century. The skyscraper has survived to this day and is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

16. Villa Savoy, Poissy, France

A small country villa, built in 1931 by the famous Le Corbusier, the founder of modernism in building design, is considered the embodiment of his "Five Points of Modern Architecture", formulating the basic principles of Art Nouveau. These include a flat roof, pillars, horizontal windows, free planning and a free facade - the supports are not located outside the house, but in any way, external walls can also be any.

17. Solar House No. 1, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Employees of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, led by Hoyt Hottel, in 1939 built a building on the territory of the Institute, completely heated by solar energy. Later, several more similar houses were created for scientific purposes, and the first commercial building, heated exclusively by the sun, appeared in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1956, it was designed by Frank Bridgers and Donald Paxton.

18. Echoviren, California, USA

In August this year, a team of Californian architects completed the construction of the world's first building, all building materials for which are made using 3D printing. Of course, it is difficult to call it a building, rather it is something like a small hut: its dimensions are 3 × 3 × 2.4 meters.

The project was named Echoviren - in honor of one of the rare species of redwoods, because the structure of the walls of the 3D hut resembles the cellular structure of the fibers of this tree. It took about 10,800 hours to manufacture its 585 components in total: for two months, seven 3D printers worked almost around the clock, and assembled the “building” in just four days.

Old or new, with complex or simple structures, these buildings are undoubtedly the most incredible in the world. There are attractive, there are unusual, and there are just crazy buildings that do not look like anything. Sometimes it is even difficult to immediately understand what is in front of you - a house or something else?

Lotus Temple

(Delhi, India)

The main Bahai temple in India and neighboring countries, built in 1986. Located in New Delhi, the capital of India. A huge building made of snow-white Pentelian marble in the shape of a blossoming lotus flower is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Delhi. Known as the main temple of the Indian subcontinent and the main attraction of the city.

The Lotus Temple has won several architectural awards and has been featured in numerous newspaper and magazine articles. In 1921, the young Bombay Baha'i community asked 'Abdu'l-Bahá for permission to build a Baha'i temple in Bombay, to which the answer was allegedly given: "By the will of God in the future, a majestic temple of worship will be erected in one of the central cities of India," that is, in Delhi. .

"Khan Shatyr"

(Astana, Kazakhstan)

A large shopping and entertainment center in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana (architect - Norman Foster). Opened on July 6, 2010, it is considered the largest tent in the world. The total area of ​​"Khan Shatyr" is 127,000 m2. It houses retail and entertainment complexes, including a supermarket, a family park, cafes and restaurants, cinemas, gyms, a water park with an artificial beach and wave effect pools, service and office premises, parking for 700 cars and much more.

The highlight of "Khan Shatyr" is a beach resort with tropical climate, plants and a temperature of +35°C all year round. sandy beaches The resort is equipped with a heating system that creates the feeling of a real beach, and the sand was brought from the Maldives. The building is a giant tent 150 m high (spire), constructed from a network of steel cables, on which a transparent ETFE polymer coating is fixed. Thanks to its special chemical composition, it protects the interior of the complex from sudden temperature changes and creates a comfortable microclimate inside the complex. "Khan Shatyr" entered the top ten world's best eco-buildings according to Forbes magazine Style, becoming the only building from all over the CIS, which the publication decided to include in its hit parade.

The opening of the Khan Shatyr shopping and entertainment center took place as part of the celebration of Astana Day with the participation of the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. During the opening ceremony, a concert was held by the world performer, the Italian tenor of classical music Andrea Bocelli. The most interesting thing in this amazing place Any Tyumen citizen can visit: Astana is only a nine-hour drive away.

Guggenheim Museum

(Bilbao, Spain)

Designed by American architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Museum is a magnificent example of the most innovative architecture of the 20th century. Constructed from titanium, it is adorned with wavy lines that change color under the sun's rays. The total area is 24,000 m2, 11,000 of which are devoted to exhibitions.

The Guggenheim Museum is a true architectural landmark, a piece of daring configuration and innovative design that provides a seductive backdrop for the artwork it houses. This building has changed the world's view of modern architecture and museums and has become a symbol of the rebirth of the industrial city of Bilbao.

National Library

(Minsk, Belarus)

The history of the National Library of Belarus begins on September 15, 1922. On this day, the Belarusian State and University Library was founded by the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the BSSR. The number of readers has been constantly increasing. During its history, the library has changed several buildings, and soon it became necessary to build a new large and functional library building.

Back in 1989, a competition was held at the level of the republic for designing a new library building. The "glass diamond" by architects Mikhail Vinogradov and Viktor Kramarenko was recognized as the best. On May 19, 1992, by the Decree of the Council of Ministers, the Belarusian State Library received the status of a national library. On March 7, 2002, the President of the Republic signed a decree on the construction of the building public institution"National Library of Belarus". But its construction began only in November 2002.

The opening ceremony of the "Belarusian diamond" took place on June 16, 2006. President of Belarus Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko (who, by the way, received a library card No. 1) noted at the opening ceremony that “this unique building combines the austere beauty of modern architecture and the latest scientific and technical solutions.” Indeed, the National Library of Belarus is a unique architectural, construction, software and hardware complex, built in accordance with the latest scientific and technical developments and aimed at meeting the information and socio-cultural needs of society.

The new library building houses 20 reading rooms, which are designed for 2000 users. All halls are equipped with electronic departments for issuing documents, modern equipment that allows scanning and copying documents, printing from electronic copies. The halls have computerized workplaces, workplaces for visually impaired and blind users, equipped with special equipment.

crooked house

(Sopot, Poland)

In the Polish city of Sopot, on Heroes Monte Cassino Street, there is one of the most unusual houses on the planet - the Crooked House (in Polish - Krzywy Domek). It seems that it either melted in the sun, or it is an optical illusion, and this is not the house itself, but only its reflection in a huge crooked mirror.

A crooked house is really crooked and does not contain a single even place and corner. It was built in 2004 according to the project of two Polish architects - Shotinsky and Zalevsky - impressed by the drawings of the artists Jan Marcin Schanzer and Per Oskar Dahlberg. The main task of the authors in front of the customer, who became shopping mall"Resident", was the creation of such an appearance of the building, which would attract as many visitors as possible. In the design of the facade, the most different materials: from glass to stone, - and the roof of enameled plates resembles the back of a dragon. Doors and windows are equally asymmetrical and bizarrely curved, giving the house the appearance of some kind of fabulous hut.

The crooked house works around the clock. During the day, a shopping center, cafes and other establishments are open here, and in the evening - pubs and clubs. In the dark, the house becomes even more beautiful. In 2009, the building was recognized as one of the seven wonders of the Tricity, which includes the cities of Gdynia, Gdansk and Sopot. According to a recent poll by The Village of Joy, the Crooked House topped the list of the fifty most unusual buildings in the world.

teapot building

(Jiangsu, China)

In China, the construction of the cultural and exhibition center Wuxi Wanda Exhibition Center, made in the form of a clay teapot, is nearing completion. This building has already officially entered the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest teapot in the world. The choice of this form is not accidental: clay teapots have been considered symbols of the Celestial Empire since the 15th century. They are still produced in Jiangsu Province, where the Wuxi Wanda Exhibition Center is located. In addition to the manufacture of clay teapots, China is also famous for its elite varieties of tea.

Real estate developer The Wanda Group announced that it has spent 40 billion yuan ($6.4 billion) to build the cultural and exhibition center. The result is a structure with an area of ​​3.4 million m2, a height of 38.8 m and a diameter of 50 m. Outside, the building is sheathed with aluminum sheets, which provide the necessary curvature of the frame. In addition to them, stained-glass windows of various sizes play an important role.

Exhibition halls, a water park, a roller coaster, and a Ferris wheel will be located in the Wuxi Wanda center. In addition, each of the three floors of the building will be able to rotate on its own axis. The cultural and exhibition center is part of the Tourism City shopping and entertainment complex, the construction of which is planned to be completed by 2017.

"Habitat 67"

(Montreal, Canada)

An unusual residential complex in Montreal was designed by architect Moshe Safdie in 1966-1967. The complex was built for the start of the Expo 67 exhibition, one of the largest world exhibitions of that time, the theme of which was houses and residential construction.

The basis of the structure is 354 cubes built on top of each other. It was they who made it possible to create this gray building with 146 apartments, where families live who have exchanged a quiet house in a residential area for such a non-standard house. Most apartments on the roof of the neighbor downstairs have a private garden.

Brutalism is considered the building style. Habitat 67 was built over 45 years ago, but it still impresses with its scale. This is, without a doubt, one of the few modern utopias that not only came true, but also became very popular and was even recognized as elite.

dancing building

(Prague, Czech Republic)

Office building in Prague in the style of deconstructivism consists of two cylindrical towers: conventional and destructive. Jokingly called "Ginger and Fred", the Dancing House is an architectural metaphor for the dancing couple Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. One of the two cylindrical parts, which expands upward, symbolizes a male figure (Fred), and the second visually resembles a female figure with a thin waist and a skirt fluttering in dance (Ginger).

Like many deconstructivist buildings, the building contrasts sharply with its neighbor - a solid architectural complex turn of the XIX-XX centuries. The office center, which houses several international companies, is located in Prague 2, on the corner of Resslova Street and the embankment. On the roof there is a French restaurant with a view of Prague La Perle de Prague.

forest spiral building

(Darmstadt, Germany)

Unique building German city Darmstadt was donated by the Austrian genius Friedensreich Hundertwasser in 2000. Painted in different colors, a magical house from a children's fairy tale with floating lines of a curved facade, it looks into the world with 1048 windows of non-repetitive shapes, sizes and decor. Real trees grow from some of the windows.

This original building in the form of a horseshoe, spiraling upwards, is called "an unusual house among the usual monotony." It was built in a "biomorphic" style, although, in fact, it is a real residential 12-storey complex, or rather, a kind of fabulous green village. It includes not only a house with 105 comfortable apartments, but also a quiet courtyard with artificial lakes, figured bridges and paths trodden right in the grass; artistically designed playgrounds; closed parking lots; shops; pharmacy and other elements of developed infrastructure.

upside down house

(Szymbark, Poland)

The unique house, which stands on the roof, is decorated in the socialist style of the 1970s. An upside-down house evokes strange sensations: the entrance is on the roof, everyone enters through the window, and the guests walk along the ceiling. The interior is decorated in the style of socialist realism: there is a lounge with a TV and chest of drawers. There is also a table made of the longest solid board in the world - 36.83 m. Of course, the Guinness Book of Records did not ignore him.

The construction of the building took more time and money than for the erection of a conventional house of the same size. The foundation required 200 m³ of concrete. The author of the project was asked many times if his project is related to commercial purposes. The answer was always a stubborn "no". However, the house-shifter turned out to be a commercial success.

Not only Poles, but also foreign tourists come to test their strength and look at an interesting building. Through the attic window, you can enter the house and, carefully maneuvering between the chandeliers, walk around the rooms. Some sources claim that the developer was going to use the new building as his own home. Whether this is so is not known, but the upside-down house in Shimbark did not become residential.

However, there is nothing to complain about: the line of tourists who want to walk inside does not dry out, so there is no quiet life and there would be no speech. A few years ago, in the vicinity of the house, there was even a kind of gathering of local Santa Clauses, who not only discussed their problems, but also practiced getting inside the house through a pipe, since, fortunately, it rests on the ground.

Wat Rong Khun

(Chiang Rai, Thailand)

Wat Rong Khun, better known as the "White Temple", is considered one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The temple is located outside the city of Chiang Rai and attracts a large number of visitors, Thai and foreign. This is one of the most visited attractions in Chiang Rai and the most unusual Buddhist temple.

Wat Rong Khun looks like an ice house. Because of its color, the building is noticeable from afar, besides, it sparkles in the sun thanks to the interspersed pieces of glass in the plaster. The white represents the purity of the Buddha, while the glass symbolizes the wisdom of the Buddha and the Dharma, the Buddhist teachings. They say the best time to visit the White Temple is at sunrise or sunset, when it is beautifully reflected in the sun.

The construction of the temple began in 1997 and continues to this day. It is being built by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat using his own funds from the sale of paintings. The artist refused sponsors: he wants to make the temple the way only he wants.

basket building

(Ohio, USA)

The basket building was built in 1997. The weight of the structure is approximately 8500 tons, the weight of the supporting supports is 150 tons. Nearly 8,000 m3 of reinforced concrete was used in the construction. Effective area buildings - 180,000 square feet. The basket is located on the territory of about 20,000 square feet (approximately 2200 m2) and completely copies one of the trademarks of its owner.

When the architect of the project, Nikolina Georgievsha, found out about what was ahead of her, she exclaimed: “Wow! I have never done this before!" Indeed, this building cannot be called standard in any way. Unlike other buildings, it expands upwards. This made it possible to significantly increase the working space of the offices: the building is designed for a staff of 500 employees. Not bad, considering that the building also has a seven-story atrium with an area of ​​3300 m2, around which the offices are located. In addition, the first floor is occupied by a theater-like auditorium with 142 seats. The building claims to be a bit pompous: the design includes two slabs attached to the building with the owner's trademark, covered with 23 carat gold.

(Sanji, Taiwan)

Weird and amazing town Sanji in Taiwan is an abandoned resort complex. The houses in it were shaped like a flying saucer, so they were called UFO houses. The city was purchased as a resort for US military personnel serving in East Asia.

The original idea of ​​building such houses belonged to the owner of the Sanjhih Township plastics company, Mr. Yu-Ko Chow. The first building license was issued in 1978. The design was developed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen. But in 1980, construction was halted when Yu-Chow declared himself bankrupt. All efforts to resume work came to nothing. In addition, several serious accidents occurred during construction due to the supposedly disturbed spirit of the mythical Chinese dragon (as superstitious people claimed). Many believed that the place was haunted. As a result, the village was abandoned and soon became known as a ghost town.

Stone house

(Fafe, Portugal)

House Casa do Penedo in the mountains of Portugal, erected between four boulders, resembles a Stone Age dwelling. Standing on the outskirts of the hut was built in 1974 by Vitor Rodriguez and was intended for relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The desire for simplicity did not make the members of the Rodriguez family hermits, but brought them closer to a natural lifestyle without frills. Electricity was never brought into the house; candles are still used for lighting. The room is heated with a fireplace carved into one of the boulders. The stone walls serve as a continuation of the interior decoration: even the steps leading to the second floor are carved right into the stones.

The stone hut, reminiscent of the dwelling of the characters from the American animated series The Flintstones, blended so seamlessly into the surrounding landscape that it aroused great interest among architects and tourists. The curiosity of local residents and passing travelers forced the Rodriguez family to leave the house. Now no one lives in the hut, but the owners sometimes visit their unusual house. Only in this case there is a chance to see unusual interiors, at other times it is impossible to get inside Casa do Penedo.

central Library

(Kansas City, Missouri, USA)

Located in the heart of Kansas City, this is one of the first projects to regenerate the city and its historical and tourist value. Residents were asked to remember the most famous books that are somehow connected with the name of Kansas City, and they selected twenty fiction books over the course of two years. The appearance of these titles was incorporated into the innovative design of the Central City Library to encourage visits.

The library building looks like a bookshelf, on which giant books are laid out. Each of them reaches a height of seven meters, and a width of about two. Now the library has at its disposal not only the most modern technologies and excellent quality of service, but also conference rooms, a cafe, an observation room and much more. The Kansas City Public Library has a unique architecture that boggles the imagination. Today it is the pride of the people of the city of Kansas. Its construction was one of the most significant events on the way to turning a provincial town into a prosperous metropolis. The library has ten branches, the main of which is the largest and has special funds. The library's arsenal is 2.5 million books, attendance is more than 2.4 million customers a year.

The history of the library begins in 1873, when it opened its doors to readers and immediately became not only a source of educational resources, but also an excellent alternative to other entertainment establishments of that time. The public library has moved many times, and in 1999 it was moved to the former building of the First National Bank. The century-old building was a real masterpiece of craftsmanship: marble columns, bronze doors and walls richly decorated with stucco. But still it required reconstruction. With the help of public-private partnerships, raised funds from the state and municipal budget, as well as sponsorship, the doors of the Kansas Public Library were opened in 2004 in the form in which it is now.

solar oven

(Odelio, France)

A stunning structure that looks like a furnace and, in fact, is one, the Solar Furnace in France is designed to generate and concentrate the high temperatures required for various processes. This happens by capturing the sun's rays and concentrating their energy in one place.

The structure is covered with curved mirrors, their radiance is so great that it is impossible to look at them. The structure was erected in 1970, the Eastern Pyrenees were chosen as the most suitable place. To this day, the Furnace remains the largest in the world. The mirror array functions as a parabolic reflector, and the high temperature regime at the focus itself can reach up to 3500°C. You can adjust the temperature by changing the angles of the mirrors.

Using a natural resource such as sunlight, the Solar Furnace is considered indispensable for obtaining high temperatures. And they, in turn, are used for various processes. Thus, the production of hydrogen requires a temperature of 1400°C. Test modes of spacecraft and nuclear reactors provide for a temperature of 2500°C, and without a temperature of 3500°C it is impossible to create nanomaterials. In a word, the Solar Furnace is not just an amazing building, but also a vital and efficient one. At the same time, it is considered an environmentally friendly and relatively cheap way to get high temperatures.

"Robert Ripley's House"

(Niagara Falls, Canada)

Ripley's House in Orlando is an illustration not of a technical revolution, but of a natural disaster. This house was built to commemorate the magnitude 8 earthquake that hit here in 1812.

Today, the supposedly cracked building is recognized as one of the most photographed in the world. "Believe it or not!" (Ripley's Believe It or Not!) is a patented network of so-called Ripley's Auditoriums (museums of strange and incredible things), of which there are more than 30 in the world.

The idea belongs to Robert Ripley (1890–1949), an American cartoonist, entrepreneur and anthropologist. The first traveling collection, Ripley's Auditorium, was presented in Chicago in 1933 during the World's Fair. On a permanent basis, the first museum "If you want - believe it, if you want - no!" was opened after the death of Ripley, in 1950 in Florida, in the city of St. Augustine. The Canadian Museum of the same name was founded in 1963 in the city of Niagara Falls ( Niagara Falls, Ontario) and still has a reputation as the best museum in the city. The Auditorium building was built in the form of a falling Empire State Building (New York) with King Kong standing on the roof.

shoe house

(Pennsylvania, USA)

The shoe house in Pennsylvania (York County) was conceived by a very successful businessman, Colonel Mahlon N. Heinz. At that time, he owned a thriving shoe company, which included about 40 shoe stores. At that time, Heinz was already 73 years old, but he loved his business so much that he commissioned an architect to create an unusual structure in the shape of a boot. This was in 1948. Already in 1949, the dream of a shoe businessman was realized, and the restless Mahlon N. Heinz was able not only to admire the extraordinary building, but also to settle there.

The length of this house is 12 m, height - 8. Its facade was made as follows: first a wooden frame was created, which was then poured with cement. Surprisingly, even the mailbox of this house is made in the shape of a shoe. There are shoes and bars on the windows and doors. Near the house there is a dog kennel, which was also made in the form of a boot. And even on the sign, located on the road, there are shoes. But in fact, the shoe house has such an orientation only from the outside. Inside, this is quite a comfortable dwelling, quite cozy and spacious. On the side of the house, there is an external staircase (most likely a fire escape) that allows access to all five tiers of the unusual building.

dome house

(Florida, USA)

After a series of devastating hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida (USA), which left Mark and Valeria Sigler homeless every time, they decided to build a house that could withstand the pressure of the elements and at the same time be beautiful and comfortable. The result of their work was a house with an unusually strong construction and unique design.

For people living in the coastal zone, it is very important that they have somewhere to return after a storm. Ordinary houses are very often destroyed to the ground, while the "Dome House" can stand as if nothing had happened even under a wind rushing at a speed of 450 km / h. At the same time, the Siglers' house fits perfectly into the surrounding landscape: the dome is the best suited to the surroundings of dunes, ponds and vegetation. The construction of the building is made of modern environmentally friendly materials that can last for several centuries.

cube buildings

(Rotterdam, the Netherlands)

A number of unusual houses were built in Rotterdam and Helmond according to the innovative design of the architect Piet Blom in 1984. Blom's radical decision was that he turned the box of the house by 45 degrees and placed it at an angle on a hexagonal pylon. There are 38 such houses in Rotterdam and two more super-cubes, and all the houses are articulated with each other. From a bird's eye view, the complex has an intricate appearance, resembling an impossible triangle.

The houses consist of three floors:
● Ground floor - entrance.
● First - living room with kitchen.
● Second - two bedrooms with a bathroom.
● Upper - sometimes a small garden is laid out here.

The walls and windows are inclined at an angle of 54.7 degrees with respect to the floor. The total area of ​​the apartment is about 100 m2, however, about a quarter of the space is unusable due to the walls, which are at an angle.

Burj Al Arab Hotel

(Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

A luxury hotel in Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates. The building stands in the sea at a distance of 280 m from the shore at artificial island connected to the ground with a bridge. With a height of 321 m, the hotel was considered the tallest hotel in the world, until another Dubai hotel appeared - the Rose Tower - 333 m high, which opened in April 2008.

The construction of the hotel began in 1994; it opened to visitors on December 1, 1999. The hotel was built in the form of a dhow sail, an Arab ship. Closer to the top is a helipad, and on the other side is the El Muntaha restaurant (from Arabic - “highest”). Both are supported by cantilever beams.

Towers "Absolute"

Like any other rapidly developing suburb in North America, Mississauga is looking for a new architectural look. Towers "Absolute" steel new opportunity to respond to the needs of an ever-expanding city, to create a residential landmark that claims to be more than just efficient housing. They can create a permanent emotional connection for residents with their hometown. Such a structure can be safely included in the list of the most beautiful skyscrapers in the world.

Instead of the simple, functional logic of modernism, the design of the towers expresses the complex multiple needs of contemporary society. These buildings are much more than just a multifunctional machine. It is something beautiful, human and alive. The towers serve as an important gate to the city, located at the intersection of two main city streets.

Despite the special status of these towers as significant landmarks, the emphasis in the project was by no means on their height, as is the case with most of the tallest buildings in the world. Thanks to design features continuous balconies surround the entire building, eliminating the vertical barriers traditionally used in high-rise architecture. Towers "Absolute" rotate in various projections on different levels blending in with the surrounding scenery. The aim of the designers was to provide good review 360 degrees from anywhere in the building, as well as provide residents with contact with natural elements, awakening in them a reverent attitude towards nature. The height of tower A with 56 floors is 170 m, and tower B with a height of 50 floors is 150 m.

Pabellon de Aragon

(Zaragoza, Spain)

A building that looks like a wicker basket appeared in Zaragoza in 2008. The construction was timed to the full-scale exhibition "Expo-2008", dedicated to the problems of water shortage on the planet. The pavilion of Aragon, literally woven of glass and steel, is crowned with strange-looking structures placed on the roof.

As conceived by its creators, the building reflects the deep trace that five ancient civilizations left on the territory of Zaragoza. In addition, inside the building you can learn about the history of water and how man learned to manage water resources on the planet.

(Graz, Austria)

This museum-gallery of contemporary art was opened as part of the program " cultural capital Europe" in 2003. The concept of the building was developed by London-based architects Peter Cook and Colin Fournier. The facade of the museum was designed by realities:united using BIX technology as a 900 m2 media installation consisting of luminous elements that can be programmed with a computer. It allows the museum to communicate with the surrounding urban space.

The installation has won a number of awards. The BIX façade was conceived when the rest of the building was already being developed. In addition to the late deadlines, it was difficult to integrate into the concept of other authors. In addition, the facade, without a doubt, became the dominant element of the architectural image. The design architects accepted the façade design because it was based on their original ideas for a large luminous surface.

Concert hall

(Canary Islands, Spain)

One of the most famous and recognizable buildings in Spain, the symbol of the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, one of the most significant works of modern architecture and one of the main attractions canary islands. The opera was designed by Santiago Calatrava in 2003.

The Auditorio de Tenerife building is located in the city center, close to the César Manrique Marine Park, the city's port and the twin towers of Torres de Santa Cruz. There is a tram station nearby. You can enter the opera hall from two sides of the building at once. The Auditorio de Tenerife has two terraces overlooking the sea.

coin building

(Guangzhou, China)

In the Chinese city of Guangzhou, there is a unique building in the form of a huge disk with a hole inside. It will house the Guangdong Plastics Exchange. Now the final cosmetic work is going on here.

At 33 floors and 138 meters high, the coin-shaped building has an opening with a diameter of almost 50 meters, which has a functional, and not only design, value. The main shopping area will be located around it. The fact that the building has already become one of the main attractions of Guangdong is obvious. However, opinions are divided about its symbolic meaning.

The Italian company that developed the project claims that the form was based on jade discs owned by ancient Chinese rulers and nobility. They symbolized the high moral qualities of a person. In addition, together with its reflection in the Pearl River, on which the building stands, it forms the number 8. According to the Chinese, it brings good luck. However, many citizens of Guangzhou saw in this building a Chinese coin, symbolizing the desire for material wealth, and among the people this building has already been nicknamed the "disc of the prodigal rich." No word yet on when the building will be open to the public.

"Stone Cave"

(Barcelona, ​​Spain)

Construction began in 1906, and in 1910 the five-story building had already become one of the most famous buildings in Barcelona. The locals dubbed it "La Pedrera" - stone cave. Indeed, the house resembled a real cave. When it was created, Gaudí basically abandoned straight lines. The five-story residential building was erected without a single corner. The architect did not make walls as load-bearing structures, but columns and vaults, which gave him unlimited scope in the layout of rooms, the ceiling heights of which are different.

In order to get enough light into each room with such a complex layout, Gaudí had to make several courtyards with light ovals. Thanks to these numerous ovals, windows and undulating balconies, the house looks like a block of solidified lava. Or on a rock with caves.

Music building

(Huainan, China)

Piano House consists of two parts depicting two instruments: a transparent violin rests on a translucent piano. The unique building was built for music lovers, but it has nothing to do with music. An escalator is located in the violin, and an exhibition complex is located in the piano, in which the plans of streets and districts of the city are presented to the attention of visitors. The object was created at the suggestion local authorities authorities.

The unusual building seeks to attract the attention of Chinese residents and numerous tourists to the new developing area, which has become the most iconic object. Thanks to the continuous glazing of the facades with transparent and tinted glass, the premises of the complex receive the maximum possible natural light. And in the dark, the body of the object is hidden in the dark, leaving visible only the neon contours of the silhouettes of giant "tools". Despite its popularity, the building is often criticized as a kind of postmodern kitsch and a typical student project, in which there is much more shocking than art and functionality.

CCTV Headquarters

(Beijing, China)

The headquarters of CCTV is a skyscraper in Beijing. The building will house the headquarters of China Central Television. Construction work began on September 22, 2004 and was completed in 2009. The architects of the building are Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren (OMA).

The skyscraper with a height of 234 m consists of 44 floors. The main building is built in an unusual style and is a ring-shaped structure of five horizontal and vertical sections, forming an irregular lattice on the facade of the building with an empty center. The total floor area is 473,000 m².

The construction of the building was considered a daunting task, especially given its location in an earthquake-prone area. Because of its unusual shape, it has already acquired the nickname "pants". Second building, Television Cultural Center, will house the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, a visitor center, a large public theater and exhibition space.

Ferrari World Amusement Park

(Yas Island, Abu Dhabi)

The Ferrari Theme Park is housed under a 200,000 m² roof and is the largest indoor theme park in the world. Ferrari World officially opened on November 4, 2010. It is also home to the world's fastest pneumatic roller coaster, the Formula Rossa.

The emblematic roof of Ferrari World was designed by Benoy architects. It was designed based on the profile of the Ferrari GT. Ramboll provided the structure design, integrated planning and urban design, geotechnical engineering, and building facade design. The total roof area is 200,000 m² with a perimeter of 2200 m, and the area of ​​the park is 86,000 m², making it the largest theme park in the world.

The roof of the building is decorated with the Ferrari logo measuring 65 by 48.5 m. This is the largest company logo ever created. 12,370 tons of steel were used to support the roof. In its center is a hundred-meter glazed funnel.

Innovative residential complex Reversible-Destiny Lofts

(Tokyo, Japan)

As conceived by the architect, the apartments in the complex he created are designed in such a way that their inhabitants are always on the alert. Uneven multi-level floors, concave and convex walls, doors that can only be entered by bending over, sockets on the ceiling - in a word, not life, but a continuous adventure. Relax in such conditions will not succeed.

Man is constantly fighting environment, so there is simply no time to mope or think about sores. What is it - shock therapy or a joyful game, is not yet clear. But restrained and subservient to traditions and taste, the Japanese are ready to pay twice as much for uncomfortable apartments than for comfortable and familiar ones located in the same area. It is interesting that all the "apartments" are rented, they are not for sale. Moreover, the 83-year-old Buddhist nun and popular writer Jakute Setouti, who was the first to live in a new house, claims that since the move she began to feel younger and much better.

"Slim House"

(London, Great Britain)

An unusual residential building, also known as the "Thin House", is located near the museum natural history in South Kensington (London). This house became famous throughout the world due to its wedge-shaped shape, or rather, the width of one of the sides of the building - a little more than a meter.

At first glance, the incredibly narrow structure of the building is just an optical illusion. Despite this, The Thin House has become very popular with Londoners and tourists. The reason for such an architectural idea is not accidental. South Kensington tube station train line runs right behind the house.

Due to the unusual design of the house, the apartments do not have a standard rectangular shape, but a trapezoid shape. For narrow rooms it is necessary to select non-standard furniture. In any case, despite a number of shortcomings, apartments in a “thin” structure are very popular among those who want to acquire new housing.

Academy Chapel Air Force

(Colorado, USA)

The striking exterior of the Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel in Colorado Springs caused some controversy when it was completed in 1963, but it is now considered one of the finest examples of modern American architecture.

The Cadet Chapel, made of steel, aluminum and glass, has 17 pointed spiers, reminiscent of jet fighters taking off into the sky. Inside there are two main levels and one basement. There is a Protestant chapel with 1200 seats, a 500-seat Catholic chapel and a 100-seat Jewish chapel. Each chapel has a separate entrance, so sermons can be held simultaneously without interfering with each other.

The Protestant chapel, which occupies the upper level, has stained-glass windows between the tetrahedral walls. The colors of the windows vary from dark to light, representing God coming from darkness into light. The altar is made of a smooth marble slab 15 feet long, shaped like a ship, symbolizing the church. The pews are designed in such a way that the end of each pew resembles the propeller of a World War I aircraft. Their backs are topped with a strip of aluminum, similar to the leading edge of a wing of a fighter plane. The walls of the chapel are decorated with paintings that are divided into three groups: brotherhood, flight (in honor of the Air Force) and justice.

On the lower level are multiver rooms, defined as places of worship for cadets of other religious groups. They are left without religious symbols so that they can be used by many people.

Archaeological finds, as a rule, allow scientists to obtain very detailed information about the past. But it happens that scientists themselves become stumped, because they cannot explain either the origin or the purpose of the artifacts. In our review of 10 amazing architectural objects found by archaeologists in different parts of the world.

1. Templar Buildings (Malta and Gozo)

The Templars lived on the islands of Malta and Gozo in the Mediterranean Sea for 1100 years (from 4000 to 2900 BC), and then simply disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only amazing structures. As far as modern archaeologists can tell, neither invasion nor famine or disease caused their disappearance. It can be argued that these mysterious people were obsessed with the construction of stone temple complexes - about 30 of them were found on 2 small islands. The researchers found numerous evidence of sacrifices and complex rituals in these temples, as well as an abundance phallic symbols.

3. Etruscan underground pyramids (Italy)

In 2011, archaeologist Claudio Bizzarri came across Etruscan pyramids under the medieval Italian city of Orvieto. Archaeologists first noticed the Etruscan-style steps that were carved into the wall of the wine cellar and went down. After the excavations, a tunnel was discovered that led to a room with walls inclined upwards. Continuing to descend, archaeologists discovered Etruscan ceramics from the 5th-6th centuries BC, a number of other artifacts, whose age was more than 3000 years, and about 150 inscriptions in the Etruscan language. During the excavations, it was discovered that the steps lead even lower, into another tunnel leading to another underground pyramid. Excavations are still ongoing.

4 Ancient Tundra (Greenland)

Until recently, geologists believed that glaciers during their movement play the role of a kind of skating rink, which "erases" plants and soil layers from the surface. act as forces of erosion, clearing away everything they move along from plants and soil to the top layer of bedrock. But now, scientists have to rethink this theory, because under a 3 km thick glacier, tundra has been discovered in its original form. Plants and soil have been frozen for over 2.5 million years.

5. Lost Temple of Musasir (Iraq)

In Kurdistan in northern Iraq, locals have recently unearthed veritable archaeological treasures dating back to the Iron Age (more than 2,500 years ago). Quite by chance, they discovered the bases of the pillars (of the supposedly lost Musashira Temple), as well as other artifacts, including life-size statues of people and a goat. Statues are believed to have been an important part of burial rituals in the Urartu civilization. Further excavation is not safe, as the region is full of unexploded mines from past border conflicts.

6. Palace of the Han Dynasty (Siberia)

When Soviet workers were laying a road near the Mongolian border, they accidentally unearthed a foundation ancient palace in close proximity to the city of Abakan. Archaeologists had completely excavated the site by 1940, but were never able to solve the mystery of the ruins. The age of the ruins of a huge palace with an area of ​​​​about 1500 square meters was determined at 2000 years. However, the palace was built in the style of the Chinese Han Dynasty, which ruled from 206 BC. to 220 AD The catch is that the palace was located right on enemy territory, controlled at that time by the nomadic people of the Xiongnu. Xiongnu raids were so constant that it was to protect against them that the Great Wall of China was built.

7 Seven Provincial Pyramids (Egypt)

In southern Egypt, near the ancient settlement of Edfu, archaeologists have discovered a step pyramid that is several decades older than the Great Pyramid of Giza. Built 4,600 years ago, this three-tiered pyramid belongs to a group of seven "provincial pyramids" that were made from blocks of sandstone and mud mortar. The pyramid of Edfu is only 5 meters high, although earlier its height was about 13 meters. Six of the seven pyramids are nearly identical in size and do not contain internal chambers, so they were not intended to be used as tombs. Their purpose is still unknown.

8. Magical sanctuaries (Armenia)

During excavations in 2003-2011 of the Armenian fortress in the city of Gegharot, archaeologists discovered three sanctuaries, whose age is about 3,300 years. They are believed to have been used for divination, and with the help of these shrines local rulers predicted their future. In the center of each temple, which consisted of one room, there was an earthen basin filled with ash, as well as ceramic vessels.

9 Buddhist Temple (Bangladesh)

A recent archaeological discovery may reveal the early life of Atish Dipankar, a revered Buddhist saint who was born in Bangladesh over 1,000 years ago. In the district of Munshingage, the ruins of a Buddhist city and temple, which are about 10 centuries old, were discovered. Scientists believe that it was in this temple that Dipankar taught his followers before he left for Tibet.

10. Tel Burna (Israel)

In southern Israel, archaeologists have discovered an Iron Age site and numerous artifacts that have led to the assumption that Tel Burna is actually the biblical city of Livna - one of the places where the Israelites stopped during the Exodus, when Moses led them out of Egypt. If this assumption is correct, then Tel Burna is part of the Kingdom of Judah, which also included Jerusalem.

Mysterious artifacts is not only among the monuments of architecture. Today there is at least .

We have selected for you some amazing buildings across Russia: from the temple of all religions in Kazan to an upside down house near Gelendzhik. Finance

"Flat House", Nizhny Novgorod

From the front side, this house looks like an ordinary building, which fits well into the architectural appearance of Nizhny Novgorod. But to be surprised, you need to choose the right angle. If you look at the house a little from the side, there is an illusion that it has no volume and its width is about a meter. It turns out a mystical effect, so the locals call the building a “wall house”.

In fact, the design is based on the principle optical illusion. The courtyard part of the house looks normal, except that it is made in the form of a triangle and is not visible from the facade.

There are several versions of the appearance of the "flat house". The most plausible of them is that the land allotted for its construction was of such a shape that the architect had to make one of the corners of the house sloping. Several such houses also exist in Moscow, St. Petersburg and, one of the most famous among tourists, in Odessa.

Factory kitchen, Samara

The factory-kitchen is one of the main monuments of the Soviet era in Samara. The scale of the architects' idea is surprising - the building was built in 1932 in the form of a symbol of the unity of workers and peasants. She also talks about the functionality - the factory-kitchen was created at the Maslennikov Defense Plant so that the workers would spend all their free time in a team.

As planned by the designers, the “hammer” housed the kitchen, and the “sickle” housed the dining room. As planned, the service was supposed to be partially automated - food was delivered from the kitchen to the dining room by conveyors. For several reconstructions, the Hammer and Sickle changed, lost many avant-garde elements. They even wanted to demolish the building in the 2000s, but now, it seems, its fate is safe - the third reconstruction has taken place, and it is planned that the Hammer and Sickle will become a branch of the State Center for Contemporary Culture in the Volga region.

Trade complex "Barcode", St. Petersburg

The facade of the shopping complex is a variation on the theme of a commodity barcode - one of the symbols of the modern market economy. The architects treated the surface of the building with care - this is not a monotonous cheap material, but smalt - a mosaic structure made of colored opaque glass. The windows are also unusual for a shopping center and are made in stained glass style.

Initially, the "Barcode" was supposed to become a complex - the architects wanted to build a similar building opposite, and, perhaps, they would have been connected by a common passage, but the idea has not yet materialized. The building has fans - designer Artemy Lebedev admitted that Petersburgers were lucky with him.

Hotel "Tarelka", Dombay Mountains

The hotel is located in Karachay-Cherkessia and is not located in locality, but right on the slopes of Mount Dombay, at an altitude of more than two kilometers above sea level. Its design imitates a flying saucer that has landed on a mountain, and the interior of the hotel is also stylized as a futuristic aircraft.

She started working in 1979, now it is a favorite place for tourists and fans of extreme sports. Firstly - this popular place for selfies, and secondly, a convenient location for skiers - "Plate" is located close to the ski lifts.

Ring house, Stanovaya village, Sverdlovsk region

Architect Asfan Khismatullin built a house for himself in an unusual round shape and immediately received the nickname “Lord of the Rings” in the local press.

During the design of the building, several problems arose - the original idea turned out to be too optimistic, and some details of the building had to be adjusted to the requirements of real life. At three hundred meters of this house there are several bedrooms, a living room, a bathhouse, the entire top floor is arranged as an atrium, and panoramic windows instead of windows resemble a trendy open space office, not a country house.

Temple of all religions, Kazan

Despite the name, services are not held here, and the building was conceived by the architect and sculptor Ildar Khanov as a symbol of the peaceful neighborhood of Orthodoxy, Islam, Judaism and other religions. In total, the project provides for domes and other iconic elements of sixteen world religions, including those that have already disappeared - for example, ancient Assyrian. The last dome can be considered a symbol of scientism - there will be a small observatory with a telescope.

The complex, which is located eleven kilometers from Kazan, also houses a theater, concert hall, children's conservatory. However, despite the fact that the temple has been under construction for more than 15 years, the project has not yet been completed; after the death of Ildar Khanov, his future remains in doubt, and tourists are reluctantly allowed into the territory of this amazing building.

Truck shop, Kostroma

The peculiarity of the Kostroma supermarket for cars is that it is very similar to a real truck - only several times larger. Its dimensions are thirteen meters high, twenty meters wide and twelve wide.

“They drove a truck to us and told us to do the same thing, only ten times more,” the designers joke: bumpers and radiator grilles, a huge muffler, a gas tank, and even preserved details like a rear-view mirror can inspire the idea that soon a huge driver. Otherwise, it's quite general store, the main thing is not to confuse the order of actions. In order to enter inside, you do not need to try to get to the cabin handle, truck wheels are stylized under the doors.

Globus Theatre, Novosibirsk

This rather unexpected theater building was built in the 70s of the XX century. The architects applied many innovative techniques, the most radical of which was a change in the traditional design of the theater with one hall and a high stage. This influenced the appearance of the building - the architects gave the stage box an unusual shape, abandoning the existing compositions. Even now, this building looks quite modern and resembles a rather futuristic indoor football stadium.

Selpo, Zvizzhi village, Kaluga region

Attraction that got small village after the festival "Archstoyanie" - sculptor Nikolai Polissky radically rethought the abandoned building of the village shop and canteen. It was decided to strengthen the dilapidated structure with metal rods, and on them to string several layers of wooden bars, which are not completely fixed - they can be moved and twisted.

After reconstruction, a new building with a wooden texture appeared on the site of an abandoned building, which became more like a lost temple of an ancient civilization.

House upside down, Kabardinka village, Krasnodar Territory

Perhaps the most architecturally unusual house on our list is located on the Black Sea coast in the village of Kabardinka. This is a two-story country house-shifter. But contrary to foreign analogues, inside this house the entire interior is also turned upside down: chairs, tables, carpets, a bathroom and a sink are on the ceiling.

Which is logical, the only element in the building that is not upside down is the stairs that lead to the house. Judging by the photographs of tourists who visit this place from time to time, it is quite fun and unusual to stay there for an hour or two, but living in such a house is most likely simply impossible.