famous architectural buildings. Famous buildings and buildings of antiquity. Ancient world
A year ago, the great Zaha Hadid passed away, on such a sad occasion, we list the best buildings of our time and hope that something similar will someday appear in our country.
Evelyn Grace Academy, Brixton, 2010
In 2010, the architectural studio of Zaha Hadid, a British architect of Arab origin, opened a school in one of the districts of London. Brixton is far from the most prosperous area, serious unrest constantly arises in it, however, about $ 60 million was spent on construction and today 720 students attend this school. The main difficulty was to fit the design of a rather large complex into an already existing densely built-up area. The main thing in the school project was the creation of a special territory or space in which schoolchildren could play sports. The building itself represents 4 school institutions connected by special arches and passages. The building is built in a zigzag pattern in harmony with running tracks and sports fields. Classrooms are organized along wide corridors with double-height halls.
Building with unique architecture high school The Evelina Grace Academy is recognized as the best, and its architect Zaha Hadid received the main prize of the Stirling Prize - the highest award in the field of architecture and design in the UK since 1996.
Zaha Hadid was born in Iran but has been living in Britain for 30 years. In 2010, she received worldwide fame for the award, when her project was erected National Museum Arts MAXXI in Rome. On account of the architect such buildings as: the Central building of the BMW plant in Leipzig, a sports complex for water sports in London, the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art in Cincinnati in Ohio, the Opera House in Guangzhou, Hoenheim-North Station and the parking lot in Strasbourg and much more. It is noteworthy that Zaha considers his task in architecture to be the creation of architectural structures that can positively influence people's lives, their behavior, education, and well-being.
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, 1997
The building of this unusual contemporary art museum was designed by American-Canadian architect Frank Gehry. It opened to the public in 1997 and was immediately recognized as one of the most spectacular deconstructivist buildings in the world.
The place for the museum was chosen very well. On the one hand, one of the main streets of the city approaches it, and on the other, a bridge over the Nervion River adjoins. Thus, the museum is located in the very center of the city and at the intersection of its most important streets. locals compare the building with a futuristic interplanetary ship, as well as with a bird, an airplane, Superman, an artichoke and a blossoming rose. By the way, from afar, the structure really resembles a blossoming flower, from the middle of which curved petals of various shapes diverge, in which the enfilades of exhibition halls are located.
St Mary Ax, London, 2003
This unusual office was designed by the famous architect Norman Foster. It is located at number 30 on St. Mary Ax Street, for which it received the name Mary Ax Skyscraper. In the common people, they called him a gherkin - a cucumber, for an unusual shape. This building has been awarded several prestigious awards in the field of architecture, and in 2004 it became the best skyscraper in the world.
The cucumber has 40 floors. Made in the form of a mesh shell with a central support base. Its creator, Norman Foster, set out to create the most environmentally friendly skyscraper, so he made the most of solar lighting and natural ventilation. As a result, the Gherkin consumes half as much electricity as other similar buildings. The lower floors of the building are open to all, and the upper floors are full of restaurants with an extraordinary panorama of financial London.
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, 2010
Since 2008, this stalactite-shaped building has been the tallest skyscraper in the world. During its construction, the design height was kept in the strictest confidence. And if somewhere they began to build such a tall building, adjustments would be made to the construction of Burj Haliva immediately. The exact height of the structure is 828 m, it has 163 floors, and about $ 1.5 billion was spent on construction.
From the very beginning, the complex was designed as a city within a city, with its own lawns, boulevards and parks. It houses a hotel, apartments, offices and shopping centers. The air inside the building is not only cooled, but also aromatized thanks to special membranes. This fragrance was created especially for the Burj Khalifa. fragrant and Fresh air served through special grates in the floor. Its glasses do not allow dust to pass through and repel the sun's rays, allowing you to maintain the optimum temperature in the building. The surface area of the building is approximately equal to the area of 17 football fields. The windows of the Burj Khalifa are washed daily, but it takes about three months to wash the entire surface.
Bird's Nest Stadium, Beijing, 2008
The stadium project for the upcoming 2008 Olympics was proposed by Swiss architects and winners of the prestigious Pritzker Prize, Jacques Herzog and Pierre De Meuron. And after its opening, it became the benchmark for a new generation of stadiums and the most ambitious project in the history of the Olympic Games.
The stadium is made in the form of a crow's nest, which in Chinese culture symbolizes all that is good and kind. So its conceptual message was that it would become a symbol of new life, comfort, kindness, a cradle of new achievements and records. The stadium is made up of twenty steel frames one and a half meters in cross section, connected by many narrower lintels, and the roof is made sliding. The total nest area is 258,000 sq. m and has 91,000 seats. It is noteworthy that not a single vertical pillar was involved in its construction.
Dancing house in Prague, 1996
Not quite an ordinary office building in the Czech capital is made in the style of deconstructivism. This house has many names: the drunk house, the glass, the waltz house, and Ginger and Fred, after the couple Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. One of the two cylindrical parts, which expands upward, symbolizes a man (Fred), and the other visually resembles a female figure with a thin waist and a skirt fluttering in dance (Ginger)
The history of the Dancing House is interesting. The building, which was located in its place, was destroyed during the bombing in 1945, after which the place was empty for almost half a century. And then Czech President Vaclav Havel decided to intervene, who owned a house next to the wasteland, built by his grandfather. The new building was designed by Vlado Milunić, a Czech architect with Croatian roots, but the insurance company that bought the land demanded that some well-known Western architect be involved in the project. The choice fell on Canadian-American deconstructivist architect and Pritzker Prize winner Frank Gehry.
Initially, Czech conservatives reacted to the appearance of such an unusual for Prague architectural structure critically, but eventually recognized it as one of the outstanding works of architecture of the 20th century.
Opera House, Sydney, 1973
Once upon a time there was an old military fort on this site, then a tram depot, and since 1973 there is one of the most famous and recognizable buildings in the world, which was opened on October 20, 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II of England herself. For its unusual shape sydney theater compared to a whale washed ashore, the frozen music that Goethe wrote about, with nine big ears and a fabulous galleon leaving for the country of elves, and even with nine nuns who play football.
In the early 1950s, an international competition was held in Australia for the construction of a new opera house. An unknown architect from Denmark, Jorn Utzon, presented his new project, based on the traditions of the Aztec temples, outwardly similar to a huge sailboat, surrounded by water on three sides. His project was recognized as the most daring and became the winner, but it immediately became clear that there was a lot of work to be done. It was planned that its construction would take 4 years, but it took them as many as 14. This was mainly due to the construction of the roof, which at that time had no analogues. whole year left only for computer design and calculations. As a result, the roof was raised and covered with more than a million tiles in white and beige. From a distance it seems that the roof is perfectly white, but under different lighting its color changes significantly.
Millennium Bridge, Gateshead, 2001
This bridge crosses the River Tyne and is the world's first tilting bridge. Its authors, architects Wilkinson and Eyre, were tasked with creating a pedestrian and bicycle bridge that would not interfere with large vessels walk along the river.
The construction of this bridge was the largest engineering project with a budget of $40 million, which was implemented over two years. Its steel structure was hauled 10 kilometers upriver by the Asiatic Hercules, Europe's largest floating crane. The opening of the Millennium Bridge took place in 2001. It consists of two arches, one of them rises above the surface of the water, pedestrians and cyclists move along the other at this time, and ships of small height can pass under it. When a large ship approaches the bridge, both arches as a whole turn 40 ° around the axis connecting their ends: the pedestrian-bicycle deck of the bridge rises, while the upper arch, on the contrary, falls. The turn lasts no more than 4.5 minutes, depending on the wind speed. Thus, the bridge rises about 200 times a year and every time this spectacle attracts the attention of hundreds of spectators.
Lloyd's Building, London, 1980
In 1978, the rapidly growing insurance company Lloyd announced a competition for a new large building, which would take into account its further growth and expansion. The competition was won by British architect Richard Rogers, after which he created a modern static and flexible structure.
The author's idea was to build a cylindrical steel building filled with water to make it fireproof. However, this plan was difficult to implement and had to be abandoned in favor of a concrete structure with an open space that is left empty by the fact that all services are housed in six towers with shiny steel cladding and glass elevators. By the way, these elevators were the first of their kind in the UK.
In the distant 80s, the building made a splash, which, in fact, was part of the developers' plans. And the main shocking element of the contemporaries was the inverted structure of the building, all the functional elements of which were brought out: water, gas, heat pipelines, wiring, elevators and stairs entangle it from all sides. And even the toilets are outside. Such a radical transfer of all service devices to the outer walls was due to the need to expand the internal space. It was assumed that the body of the building will be able to meet the needs of the company for more than half a century.
Arch Defense, Paris, 1989
The Grand Arch of Defense is the symbol of the business district of Defense, located in the west of Paris. Below it is a metro station, the side columns are occupied by government and commercial offices, and the upper floors are reserved for exhibition spaces, where exhibitions are regularly held and the Museum of Informatics is open.
The construction of the arch was initiated by President Francois Mitterrand, whose goal was to continue the historical axis of Paris, which led from the Louvre through the obelisk on the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe. In the design competition, the strangest one, the author of which was the Danish architect Johan Otto von Spreckelsen, won. This arch was conceived as a modern response to the famous Arc de Triomphe, with only one difference - it was dedicated not to military victories, but to humanistic ideals. Unfortunately, the creator of this colossal construction failed to complete his offspring. The arch was completed after his death. An interesting fact is that many Parisians still think that the futuristic arch was built quite recently, although in fact it has been decorating the French capital for more than twenty years.
Just as there are places that you must visit at least once in your life, there are buildings that you simply must see in person. We offer you, dear readers, ten such architectural masterpieces.
petronas towers
For a full 10 years, from 1998 to 2008, the Petronas Towers in Malaysia were the tallest in the world. This is real business card Kuala Lumpur. Argentine architect César Pelli conceived them so modern and daring.
The project began in 1992 with the necessary measurements and checks to ensure maximum safety. The construction took more than 7 years. The towers have 88 floors, the facade of the buildings is made of steel and glass.
The White house
Every president of the United States of America who has held office since 1800 has lived in the White House, whose full address is Washington, Pennsylvania Avenue 1600. It took 8 years to build this neoclassical building. President Thomas Jefferson was the first to settle here.
During the Civil War, the building was almost completely destroyed by British troops. Later, the building was restored, and President Roosevelt even expanded it in 1901. Now the White House is a whole complex consisting of the Residence, the West Wing, the East Wing and other parts.
This temple official name whose Cathedral of the Intercession Holy Mother of God, which is on the Moat, is located in the very heart of Moscow - on Red Square. The church was erected from 1555 to 1561 in honor of the conquest of Kazan and Astrakhan.
For almost 20 years it was the tallest building in the city. Thanks to its difficult history and design in the style of a burning fire, the temple is on the list world heritage UNESCO for over 20 years.
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building has long claimed the status of a symbol of Manhattan and New York as a whole. Even the name is one of the nicknames of the city. For 40 years this skyscraper was considered the tallest in the world.
Now it is only the third tallest in the US and 22 in the world. Due to the unique sophisticated design, the building was included in the list of seven wonders modern world. More than 2800 investors own it.
Burj Khalifa
Since we are talking about skyscrapers and world records, it is impossible not to mention the Burj tower. – Khalifa in Dubai. It is this building that now occupies the first line in the ranking of the highest.
Construction began in 2004, and by 2009 the facade of the building was completely ready. The official opening ceremony took place in 2010 and was broadcast worldwide. A huge international team of professionals worked on the design and architectural plans. The skyscraper owes its name to the President of the United Arab Emirates, who wisely led the country out of economic crisis 2007-2012.
Fast forward to European continent, or rather to Italy, in which one of the most famous and charming buildings is located - the Colosseum.
The construction of the Colosseum began under the leadership of the Roman emperor Vespasian in 72. The name originates from his last name. This amphitheater could accommodate up to 50 thousand spectators of gladiator fights, executions or performances based on classical mythology.
Taj Mahal
Another great example architectural masterpiece With rich history – Taj Mahal. Located in India, it was designed as a mausoleum for one of the wives of Emperor Shah Jahan.
The style combines motifs of Islamic, Persian, Ottoman and Indian cultures. The most common mistake is that many consider the Taj Mahal only this white building, while it is a whole architectural complex which took over 20 years to build.
Not only old buildings deserve attention. Sydney Opera theatre is a fine example of a modern masterpiece.
It hosts over 1,500 events annually, making it the most popular Australian attraction. Thanks to its unique design, UNESCO included the building in its list in 2007.
Buckingham Palace
Not include Buckingham Palace in the list is simply impossible! This is indeed a true symbol of the whole of Britain.
During its three hundred year history, the palace has undergone many changes, had different names and was home to a huge number of monarchs.
Flatiron Building
Another New York building that cannot be ignored is the Flatiron Building. In 1902, when its construction was completed, it was the tallest building in the city.
As you know, the list of the most famous ancient sights of ancient culture includes only seven miracles. But we mustered up the courage to include three more structures that we think are worthy of your attention. So.
Ajanta or the Ajanta caves is a Buddhist temple and monastery complex located near the village of the same name, 100 km northeast of the city of Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. It was discovered in 1839. It is a rock in the shape of a horseshoe, in which, starting from the II century BC. e. to the 5th century AD e. 30 (according to other sources 29) caves were carved with columns, Buddha statues and world-famous wall paintings reflecting the life of India of that era. This painting, illustrating Buddhist legends and myths, is not only a work of art, but also a valuable historical source of knowledge about those times.
newgrange
Newgrange - ancient building from huge blocks of stone, one of the largest and oldest corridor tombs, built by man between about 3000 BC. e. - 2500 BC e. (older Great Pyramid at Giza and probably Stonehenge). Located 40.2 km north of the city of Dublin, about one kilometer north of the River Boyne, County Meath, Ireland. The mound is 13.5 meters high and 85 meters in diameter. Ancient people erected it from 200,000 tons of stone, wood and earth. It is a large round mound inside, which is a 19-meter stone corridor leading to the burial chamber. Included in the list of the most mysterious sights of the world.
Derinkuyu
Derinkuyu - ancient multi-level underground city, located under the city of the same name in the province of Nevsehir, Turkey. It was built in the II-I millennium BC. e. Discovered in 1963. The underground city reaches a depth of 60 meters and in ancient times could shelter up to 20 thousand people, along with food and livestock. For centuries, people have been hiding here from nomadic raids, religious persecution and other dangers. Although the underground city of Derinkuyu was intended as a temporary shelter, its scale is impressive. It includes numerous wine cellars, stables, cellars, storerooms, refectories, chapels, numerous ventilation ducts, and a complex network of tunnels and corridors.
7 wonders of the ancient world
Alexandrian lighthouse- a lighthouse built according to the project of the architect Sostratus of Cnidus approximately in 279-280. BC e. on the island of Pharos, near Alexandria in Egypt, so that the ships could safely pass the reefs on their way to the bay of Alexandria. According to estimates, its light was visible at a distance of 51 km (according to other sources, up to 83 km). It is assumed that the Lighthouse of Alexandria was about 115–120 meters high and at that time was the tallest building in the world. In the XIV century, it was completely destroyed by an earthquake, and in its place, by order of the then Sultan of Egypt, Qaitbey (1416/1418–1496), the Qait-Bey fortress was erected, which today is a maritime museum.
Colossus of Rhodes - a bronze statue of the ancient Greek god of the Sun - Helios, built between 292 BC. e. - 280 BC e. in the harbor port city Rhodes on the island of the same name in the Aegean Sea in Greece. It was built according to the project of the architect Hares, a student of Lysippus, in honor of the victory of the inhabitants of Rhodes over the ruler of Cyprus, Antigonus I One-eyed, who, together with his son and an army of 40,000 people, unsuccessfully besieged the city in 305 BC. The height of the statue is about 30 meters. She stood on a 10-meter pedestal and weighed, according to various estimates, from 30 to 70 tons. Compared to other wonders of the world, the Colossus of Rhodes "lived" a short life. Approximately 50 years after its creation, it was completely destroyed by an earthquake and melted down.
In fifth place on the list is the "Mausoleum at Halicarnassus" - a tomb built between 353 and 350 BC. e. in Halicarnassus (modern city of Bodrum, Turkey) for King Mausolus of Caria and his wife-sister Artemisia III. Well-known masters were involved in the construction and decoration of the tomb, including the famous sculptors Skopas, Briaxides, Timofeos and Leohar. The tomb of Mausolus was a majestic and unusually shaped building, built of brick and lined inside and out with white marble. The mausoleum in Halicarnassus, 45 meters high, stood for about 19 centuries, but in the 13th century it collapsed from a strong earthquake.
Zeus statue in Olympia - ancient greek statue Zeus, which was located in the center of the temple of the same name in Olympia on the Peloponnese peninsula. It was erected in the 5th century BC by the ancient Greek sculptor and architect Phidias. The statue of the god reached a height of 12-13 meters and was made of wood (according to some sources, from cedar, according to others - from ebony). Details of ivory, gold and precious stones. The circumstances of the possible destruction of the statue are unknown. According to the Byzantine historian George Kedrin, it was transported to Constantinople, where it burned down in a fire in 476.
The Temple of Artemis of Ephesus is a Greek temple located in the city of Ephesus, Asia Minor (near the modern city of Selchuk, Turkey). It was dedicated to Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt. The temple was built in the middle of the VI century BC. e, was a rectangular building 105 meters long and 51 meters wide, consisting of marble and wood, and surrounded on all sides by a double row of 127 columns, the height of which was 18 meters. During its entire existence, it was rebuilt three times until July 21, 356 BC. e. was not set on fire by Herostratus - a resident of Ephesus, who dreamed of becoming famous at any cost.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, more correctly called the Hanging Gardens of Amitis, is the only one of the seven wonders of the world whose location has not been definitively established. It is assumed that hanging gardens were built around 575 BC. e. V ancient city Babylon (near the modern city of Hilla, in Iraq), by King Nebuchadnezzar II, for his wife Amitis, who missed the forests of her homeland. They are a pyramid consisting of four tiers-platforms supported by columns up to 25 m high. On these tiers, fertile land lay with a thick carpet, where seeds of various herbs, flowers, shrubs, and trees from Media were planted. The pyramid looked like an evergreen hill. However, after in 331 BC. e. the troops of Alexander the Great captured Babylon, and the great commander himself died, the city gradually fell into decay. The gardens were abandoned and eventually destroyed.
The Pyramid of Cheops is the largest among the Egyptian pyramids, the only one of the "Seven Wonders of the World" that has survived to this day, and also one of the most famous tombs in the world. The pyramid is located on the west bank of the Nile in Egypt on a plateau in Giza, in close proximity to the famous "Great Sphinx". The lion's share of Egyptologists believe that the pyramid was built around 2560 BC. e. and is the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh IV of the Khufu (Cheops) dynasty. It is believed that it was designed by the architect Hemion, the nephew of Cheops. Initially, the pyramid had a height of 146.5 m, but as a result of erosion, today its height is 138.75 m. The total weight of the pyramid is estimated at about 6.25 million tons, the area is ≈ 85,000 m².
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When you plan a trip to any of the most big cities on Earth, be sure to visit their most famous buildings. These cities are distinguished by many outstanding buildings, squares and urban landscapes, while history and cultural heritage make them the best cities peace. These gigantic capitals, with countless places of interest, have plenty to offer. However, these top 10 stand out the most. famous buildings on the ground. The first tower, called the Shard, rises above the modern and vibrant skyline of London.
The Shard in London
The gigantic Shard skyscraper reshapes the London skyline and makes it the tallest skyscraper in Europe. With a height of just over 300 meters above the ground, the Shard is the tallest building in this part of the world, and definitely one of the most famous. It was completed in 2012 in the heart of London, within walking distance of the Thames, London Bridge and the Tower of London. In addition, the Shard skyscraper is visible from anywhere in the city, especially at night, when the majestic silhouette of this iconic famous building turns into a bright mixture of light and shadows, and the vibrant waters of the river reflect its majesty in a huge mirror of nature. Especially popular is Observation deck at an altitude of 250 meters, offering the best view of the capital of England. 
Big Ben
Big Ben, the House of Commons and the House of Lords is another famous London landmark with its roots going back to the Victorian Gothic period with its many edgy details, high pillars, intricate embellishments, dark mystical angles and contrasting pale silhouettes. This delightful building is one of the city's most iconic landmarks. The gigantic Big Ben tower with its four chiming clock is recognized all over the world, making it one of the most famous buildings in the world.
Burj Khalifa
Of course, the tallest building in the world will not be an exception in the list of the most famous buildings. The Burj Khalifa towers majestically over Dubai at 829.84 meters high, creating a particularly colorful lively atmosphere at night. The many lights of the Burj Khalifa are combined with other buildings to create a true contemporary atmosphere in Dubai. The tower rises above the Dubai skyline with its distinctive Arabian silhouette and Y-shaped design, multiple levels and cross sections. This building can only be called a masterpiece of architecture. At the top of the skyscraper is a restaurant with the best view of the city -. 
Burj Al Arab
This building is also located in Dubai, along the city's beautiful coastline. Dubai Sail is the most famous and most luxurious hotel in Dubai and on Earth. It is also quite high - almost 320 meters, which makes it the second highest high hotel on the ground. A symbol of Dubai's heritage, the Burj Al Arab impresses with its bright white silhouette and gigantic scale and size. A small narrow bridge leads to the Parus, and at the top there is a landing area for helicopters. 
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is another famous building located in eastern Agra in India. This masterpiece of art is famous for its white facades and history, making the Taj Mahal one of the most attractive architectural gems in the world. The building dates back to the 17th century. This is a mausoleum and a symbol of love that permeates every corner here. The Taj Mahal has a gigantic 170m high central dome, four smaller domes, a gigantic spacious courtyard, four huge slightly tilted minarets, great Islamic design with marble details, calligraphic embellishments, and more. Standing at the main entrance of the complex, you immediately feel all its grandeur and size. 
Colosseum in Rome
The Colosseum in Rome is laced with historical heritage on every wall, façade or stone. The true scale of this arena is quite impressive even in our time, and during the time of the Roman Empire 2,000 years ago, it was a real engineering marvel at all. The Colosseum was the largest amphitheater in the world, the center of numerous gladiator battles, where all the Roman nobility gathered. A long network of caves and tunnels stretches under the building, and the outer wall of the Colosseum with its numerous arches, floors and columns is considered one of the symbols of Rome and Italy. 
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Leaning Tower of Pisa - only a small part of the whole complex Cathedral Pisa, but the most famous. The rounded tower, with a series of spiraling balconies all along its façade, is pale in color with many shades. It is surrounded by many lawns and has a courtyard. The tower has a great Romanesque architectural design, but that's not what it's known for. This tilts almost 4 degrees, giving the visual illusion of falling. This is used by numerous tourists, taking pictures against the backdrop of the famous building. 
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous buildings in Australia and around the world because it is a real work of art and a masterpiece of art. It is a cultural symbol of the country and one of Sydney's most visited attractions. The Sydney Opera House hosts numerous art, opera and music events. The remarkable architectural vista, positioned right next to the water on one side and modern skyscrapers on the other, makes this outstanding opera house one of the most famous buildings in the world. 
Empire State Building
The symbol of the state of New York and the United States, the Empire State Building is one of compulsory places to visit in the city that never sleeps. The skyscraper will impress you with its multitude of colors, pure Art Deco shapes, historical structures and of course its impressive height. It rises almost 450 meters above the Manhattan skyline, dotted with numerous windows. At the top is an observation deck that opens up the magnificent skyline of Manhattan. At sunset, you can admire them for hours. 
Eiffel Tower
Topping the list of the most popular buildings in the world is not a building at all, but a tower. The Eiffel Tower is undoubtedly the most popular building in the world. It is located in the center of Paris and is a symbol of the city and France, as well as one of the most tall buildings all over the continent and one of the most popular and visited attractions in the world. The tower is distinguished by its history, many spans, connections, arches, intricate details and other interesting elements that only emphasize its charm. 
From modern and surreal skyscrapers to historical buildings who have a huge load of cultural heritage - there are many interesting buildings, which can be visited during one of the following trips. These iconic buildings are located in the most big cities world, being part of their history. Such structures are always surrounded by large shopping streets, cultural centers, modern entertainment complexes, so you will always find how to spend time here, in addition to exploring the most famous buildings in the world. I also advise you to read about the most expensive construction projects of our time in a separate tape.
