Ancient structures hold timeless appeal, but modern architecture pushes boundaries with innovative designs. From guitar-shaped hotels to wave-like apartments, architects and builders worldwide are creating mind-blowingly stunning buildings. Here are ten modern buildings that capture the imagination.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Opened in 2019 in Hollywood, Florida, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is shaped like a giant guitar. This 34-story hotel features 638 rooms with breathtaking views, a massive performance venue, and a pool resort area. A $1.5 billion expansion, it also showcases a dazzling light show at night.
Markthal Rotterdam
The Markthal in Rotterdam is a hybrid building combining apartments with a covered market hall. During the day, 96 stalls sell fresh food, while at night, it transforms into a food court with popular restaurants. The vaulted interior is adorned with an 11,000 square meter mural of food, flowers, and insects, contrasted by a grey stone exterior.
Its single-glazed cable net façade is the largest of its kind in Europe, providing protection during bad weather.
Bosjes Chapel
Located in Wellington, South Africa, the Bosjes Chapel stands out against a backdrop of majestic mountains. Its roof features dramatic lifts and dips, nearly touching the surrounding pool. Cross-shaped frames and a golden pulpit add to its unique design, inspired by Psalm 36:7, symbolizing refuge under the wings of God.
The chapel appears to float on water, creating a serene and awe-inspiring atmosphere.
Santiago Bahá’í Temple
Opened in 2016, the Santiago Bahá’í Temple welcomes people of all faiths. Its design, inspired by Sufi whirling dancers and Japanese bamboo baskets, features nine entrances, pathways, and fountains. The temple’s interior is covered in translucent marble, while its cast-glass paneled exterior reflects the colors of sunrise and sunset.
Standing 30 meters tall, the temple has attracted over 1.4 million visitors since its opening.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, India, is the second busiest in the country. It was named the Best Airport in India in 2016. Known for its shopping options, the airport also features a long-span roof supported by 30 steel columns and the world’s longest cable wall system.
Inspired by the peacock’s eye, the coffered panel design contains lenses that produce two colors when light falls on them, resembling a palace made of colored glass.
Jiunvfeng Study
Located on Mount Tai, China, the Jiunvfeng Study is a striking visitor center designed to resemble a “floating cloud hovering in the mountains.” This elongated structure offers panoramic views of the mountain and Shenlong Grand Canyon. It includes a coffee shop where visitors can enjoy the scenery.
LED lighting strips built into the canopy make the building appear like a haloed cloud at night, blurring the lines between architecture and nature.
City of Arts and Sciences
Valencia, Spain, is home to the City of Arts and Sciences, Europe’s largest scientific and cultural complex. It houses the Oceanografic, the biggest aquarium in Europe, with 500 species of ocean life. The complex also includes the Prince Felipe Museum of Sciences and the “eye of the city,” featuring a planetarium and IMAX cinema.
Visitors can also enjoy theatre, opera, and dance shows at the Palau de les Arts, with recent additions including the Agora and the Umbracle.
The Lotus Temple
Dedicated in 1986 in Delhi, India, the Lotus Temple welcomes people of all faiths, embodying the Bahá’í teaching of tolerance. Often called the Taj Mahal of the 20th century, it attracts many tourists. The architect, Fariborz Sahba, received awards for its design.
The temple features nine sides formed by 27 marble petals, with marble imported from Greece. Domes allow natural light to illuminate the white walls, creating a serene ambiance.
One Central Park
One Central Park in Sydney, Australia, showcases the concept of living walls. This landmark consists of two towers, a sky garden, a pool, restaurants, 623 apartments, and shops. The buildings are adorned with 35,000 plants, and the sky garden is a key feature for the penthouses.
A cantilevered heliostat system reflects light onto the vertical walls, doubling as a silent fireworks lighting installation.
The Wave
Completed in 2019 on the Vejle Fjord in Denmark, The Wave is a residential project designed to resemble five waves along the waterfront. This magnificent structure contains 100 apartments, topped with double-height penthouses. The wave shape reflects in the water during the day and is illuminated to resemble mountains at night.
Awarded Residential Building of the Year in 2009, The Wave is expected to attract more tourists to the waterfront.
These modern buildings demonstrate the incredible creativity and innovation in architecture today. Each structure offers a unique design and inspires awe and wonder.
Which of these buildings inspires you the most? Leave your comment below!
