Architecture has always mirrored the inventiveness, the ingenuity and the aspirations of Man. There are buildings around the world that are both immensely beautiful and aptly engineering marvellous. They are the marvels of our species’ architectural oeuvre, they are cultural ‘load-bearing columns’, and they represent our technological acumen, artistic vision and cultural legacy at any particular time. We can see in them the grand history of civilisation, soaring above us and beyond, while the column below keeps the roof right where we need it. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best architecture of all time, detailing the facts of the most learned structures and unearthing the tales of feats that pushed the boundaries of Man. From ancient to modern, these are architectural wonders, indeed the best architecture in the world, and they demonstrate the pinnacles and options of building, globe to globe.
The Timeless Majesty of Ancient Wonders
The first main category brings us back to ancient civilisations, home to some of the world’s most iconic structures. These architectural wonders have endured the ravages of time, and are now a portal into the past, granting us insights into the societies behind them. The Great Pyramid of Giza, for example, is a feat of engineering that is still difficult to comprehend today, as each stone block has an estimated weight of 2.5 tonnes. Constructed more than 4,500 years ago, not only is it a testament to the Egyptians’ advanced knowledge of mathematics and engineering, but also their close connections with the cosmos. The Parthenon, meanwhile, is a symbol of ancient Greek civilisation, housing the statue of the goddess Athena, and emblematic of classical architecture that has influenced design all over the world.
There is also the Roman Colosseum. It too loomed large. Its pool. Its barrel vaults. Its clever arches. Its circumference. There is the Great Wall of China that snakes over 13,000 miles from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert, the second largest man-made structure on Earth after–you guessed it–all of the buildings in the United States. These are not museum pieces. They are vital, both today and yesterday. The greatest architecture ever made is constantly alive.
Marvels of Religious Architecture
Religious buildings are some of the most well-known in the world, as places of worship as well as symbols of faith. The design of these buildings is often informed by the spiritual and cultural norms of the societies in which they were created. One of the most recognisable examples is Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that has welcomed countless visitors with its elaborate facades, majestic spires and kaleidoscopic stained-glass windows. This cathedral is an architectural wonder, but also a monument to the arts and building techniques of medieval Europe.
For instance, the renowned mausoleum of Taj Mahal in India is a remarkable piece of architecture built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife. This architectural masterpiece is known for its speed of construction (a lot of artisans were involved) and its stunning white dome, beautiful patterns and amazing detailing. There other buildings of similar scale and magnificence in Asia, such as the six-storey pagoda with its ornate spire as part of the Borobudur monastery complex in Java, and the Nebra sky disk of 1600–1200 BCE, depicting the sun, moon and stars, found near Germany. The highest mountainous peak in Asia, Mount Everest, was considered sacred by the local Sherpa and Tibetan people for thousands of years, but today people challenge Mount Everest to show their greatness and power. On the other hand, Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, is another excellent piece of world architecture, displaying Christian and Islamic cultural influences. This architectural masterpiece is recognised globally. It was originally a cathedral, constructed as a part of the Byzantine Empire, but it was converted into a mosque when the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople in 1453. Hagia Sophia represents one of the most incredible structures; it has one of the greatest domes in the world, amazing mosaics, and it was one of the most visited and important structures in the Christian world until the eighteenth century.
Modern Engineering Marvels
The 20th and 21st centuries are also full of architectural wonders. New materials and technology have allowed for the construction of incredibly impressive buildings, some of which have gone on to become emblematic of their modern times. From the Eiffel Tower in Paris, built as a temporary exhibit, to the Empire State Building in New York City, and the Gateway Arch in St Louis, such buildings have become symbols of modernity and engineering prowess. When the Eiffel Tower, Paris, was built, its iron lattice design was seen as extremely modern. Today it is the most visited paid monument in the world.
Another marvel of modern architecture is the exterior of the Burj Khalifa building in Dubai, the tallest in the world. The building is 828 meters high and is a perfect example of human ambition and modern engineering. I haven’t been to Dubai, but every photograph of it impresses me, and I have been in places like Kuala Lumpur but haven’t taken the same admiration for architecture. Another example is the gorgeous Sydney Opera House in Australia with its spectacular shell design built from concrete and steel. These two monuments in modern architecture demonstrate the reach and innovation of the best architecture in the Modern world.
Innovative Sustainable Architecture
Over the last decades, sustainability has become a key consideration in architecture, and some of the most advanced and iconic buildings in the world have been created. Indeed, the focus on sustainability marks a major paradigm shift. While previously the tallest building was just the tallest, nowadays they often aim to be also the most ‘green’. For instance, the Bosco Verticale in Milan in Italy is a residential complex with two towers of apartments covered in thousands of trees and plants. The so-called vertical forest has enhanced air quality, as well as thermal and acoustic insulation, increasing biodiversity in the urban area.
Another pioneering sustainable building is the Bullitt Centre in Seattle in the US, which has been dubbed ‘the greenest commercial building in the world’, where its occupants can work in an energy-producing building that captures rainwater for its use, with composting toilets, and a healthy place to work. Another example of ingenious sustainable design is the One Central Park building in Sydney, Australia, a residential building featuring green spaces tied in with the building situated on a 3.5 hectare site, with a vertical garden wrapping around half of the building. These are great examples of world-class architecture and trailblazing buildings that point to a future for architecture around the world to co-exist with the environment.
Cultural Icons and National Symbols
Some structures, however, have risen beyond their function, going far beyond their boundaries to symbolise the identity of nations and their collective goals. The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbour, for instance, is not only an architectural landmark but has become a symbol of freedom and democracy. Dedicated by France to the United States, the giant sculpture has been serving as a beacon of liberty and hope for the thousands of immigrants arriving in the country for the past 130 years. The metaphorical symbolism of the Statue of Liberty is also apparent with respect to another of the world’s most recognisable structures the Sydney Harbour Bridge, one of Australia’s most famous national monuments due to the remarkable span of its steel arch.
Today, in Europe, the Royal Palace of Versailles in France is the embodiment of royal luxury and power. Built in the French baroque architectural style and reflecting the European garden style of the era, the chateau possesses a magnificent garden and splendid royal apartments. Versailles was built to showcase the artistic and cultural goals of the French monarch, and it today serves as a powerful national symbol. Another architectural wonder and national icon is the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. As the world’s largest palace complex, this monumental palace was home to the Chinese emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Its vast collection of palaces, halls, and courtyards demonstrates the enormous power and grandiose majesty of the Chinese emperors creating a completely unique and picturesque architectural composition. On both continents, we can find examples of famous and unique modern buildings that appear everywhere.
The Future of Architecture: Visionary Designs
Often envisioned by high-design and experimental architectural projects that incorporate a lot of cutting-edge technology, environmentalism and new materials, futuristic architecture continues to influence a new way of visualising the world of tomorrow. Singapore’s magnificent Gardens by the Bay from 2011 is perhaps the most futuristic wonder of all. Its Supertree structures are both botanical gardens and solar panels, rainwater collectors and rare-species habitat. The Gardens illustrate the way new technologies can merge nature in future urban design.
Other visionary projects that evidence sustainability are the futuristic city of Masdar in Abu Dhabi, that aims to be the world’s first zero carbon, zero waste city. It is a carbon-neutral planned city, incorporating low-carbon energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy, non-polluting transport and even a cooling system that uses fuel-free chemicals to cool the city. Across the Asia Pacific, projects such as the Lotte World Tower in Seoul in South Kraea are some of the best, latest and greatest architecture. Home to the world’s fifth-highest observed outdoor observation deck, this skyscraper integrates its residential, retail and leisure towers in one mega structure. This is the future of famous architecture, high-rise buildings that incorporate mixed-use spaces and futuristic technologies that we expect to see more of, while the best architecture in the world being built as we speak champions a mix of innovation, sustainability and the power of technology.
Conclusion:
Man’s greatest architectural wonders of the world, such as architectural buildings, are also man’s greatest architectural stories. From ancient temples to modern skyscrapers, the world’s most famous buildings are ultimately our greatest achievements in architecture and engineering. We will never stop pushing the limits of what’s possible and our greatest architectural wonders will always build on everything that has come before, inspiring, challenging and forming the future of buildings around the world, whether ancient, religious or modern. Whether in the beauty of ancient man-made wonders, the spiritual grandeur of religious buildings, or the on-going brilliance of modern designs, they will also stand as the truest symbols of man’s greatest architecture.