16 of the most ambitious architectural structures that have caused controversy in the world

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Architects, being creative people, are also prone to experimentation, flight of imagination and unexpected solutions. It's just that their plans are very difficult to implement tasks, therefore, if an unusual architectural structure appears that claims to be a work of art, then it is absolutely certain that it was necessary, and a huge number of first-class specialists had a hand in its creation. After all, what goes beyond the usual in architecture always requires colossal mental and physical investments from professionals in their field.

India, Delhi: Lotus Temple

The main attraction of the city, the lotus-shaped temple was built in 1986. It is made of snow-white marble and strikes the imagination with its monumentality and tenderness at the same time. It was created as a sign that God is one and all religions on earth have a common basis. The official name of the building is listed as "House of Bahá'í Worship."

This is a huge building, a real complex, which includes 9 swimming pools, a garden with an area of more than 10 hectares. The height of the temple is four dozen meters, the main hall has an area of slightly less than 80 squares. In general, the capacity of the temple is 1300 people. It is always cool in the temple, thanks to a special ventilation system. The air passes from below, is cooled by the water in the pools, then rises and exits through the top of the dome. As expected according to the original idea, people of any faith can pray and rest in the Lotus. And in the building itself there are no priests who would work on a permanent basis, only volunteers who replace each other.

This building, as befits religious buildings, was built with voluntary donations. The required amount was raised in almost 50 years. Architect - Fariborza Sakha wanted to build something really magnificent. The foundation was already ready, but the architect did not have the necessary enthusiasm, he spent almost two years in a creative search, until he visited the Sydney Theater - a famous building built in a modern spirit.

Kazakhstan, Astana: Khan Shatyr

The huge shopping and entertainment center with an area of almost 130 thousand square meters is remarkable for the fact that it includes not only shops, cafes, restaurants, gyms, cinemas and family parks, but there is a real resort beach. On the territory of the water park, the air temperature is maintained at around +35 degrees throughout the year. The feeling of a real beach is complemented by the sand that was brought from the Maldives. Plants, waves - this complements the overall picture.

The building itself is a tent, on the steel frame of which a special transparent coating is attached. Despite its apparent weightlessness, the material successfully retains heat and serves as a barrier against any bad weather. The shopping and entertainment complex was one of the world's top ten structures built in accordance with environmental safety standards.

Spain, Bilbao: Guggenheim Museum

A striking example of new generation architecture is a striking, daring and breathtaking façade that stands out from the crowd. It is built of titanium plates and consists of wavy lines, sunlight falling on them refracts and sparkles in a variety of colors, which creates a feeling of unreality of what is happening.

The building itself looks like a museum piece, thanks to the efforts of the architect Frank Gehry. The area of the museum is almost 25 thousand square meters. Such a bold image as a frame for works of art turned it not just into a local landmark, but into a symbol of the art revival.

Belarus, Minsk: National Library

Otherwise, this building is called a Belarusian diamond or brilliant, because in shape it resembles this particular gem. But the main treasures - books and knowledge, of course, are kept inside this diamond, which makes this structure even more unique.

The National Library of Belarus itself was created in 1922, the library moved from one building to another, despite the fact that not only the book, but also the reading fund grew. Therefore, it was decided to erect a fundamentally new building, which would be different from the others. The competition for the best project was held back in the late 90s, when the very same diamond was chosen. But construction began only in the 2000s.

The result is a unique architectural object that combines the achievements of architecture, construction and software and hardware. There are two dozen reading rooms here, which can simultaneously accommodate up to two thousand readers. The library is equipped with the latest technology, there are computerized workstations, electronic issuance of documents.

Poland, Sopot: Crooked House

The main requirement that was set before the architects, who eventually became the creators of the Crooked House, was uncommon. However, they did an excellent job with this task. Looking at this structure, one might think that it dripped from the sun, but here an optical illusion plays a role. Although the house is crooked, it is actually crooked and there is not a single right angle in it.

The owner of such an unusual building was the owners of other shopping centers, who planned to get a building that would attract buyers by its appearance alone. A variety of materials and technologies have been used to build the shopping center.

The shopping center, which houses shops, cafes, bars, is open at night. Illuminated in a certain way, it becomes even more interesting and exciting. Crooked House is a multiple winner of various competitions and has received awards for its uniqueness and attractiveness.

China, Jiangsu, Kettle-shopping mall

Another way to express your deep respect for tea is found in China. It is a cultural exhibition center and at the same time the largest kettle in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. If where such a structure could appear, then only in China, in which there is a real cult of tea and, accordingly, accessories for tea ceremonies.

This teapot is made of a special clay composition, and the inside is sheathed with aluminum, which provides strength to the structure. The construction area, by the way, turned out to be huge - almost 3.5 million square meters, because the diameter of the teapot is 50 meters. Stained glass is also used, which gives a special charm to the building and allows sunlight to enter. Inside the kettle there are halls for exhibitions, a water park, an amusement park that can even fit a Ferris wheel! The building has three floors and each floor can rotate mobile about its axis.

Canada, Montreal: Habitat 67

This is just one building, but a real residential complex that delights with its monumentality and uniqueness. People live here, which means it is not only beautiful and original, but also convenient. The architect is Moshe Safdie, he timed the construction of this unique complex to the international exhibition dedicated to the topic of construction for housing.

The complex consists of cubes, which are built on top of each other, there are more than 350 of them. There are a little less than 150 apartments, many have their own garden on the roof of the neighbor's apartment below. A unique opportunity, considering that we are talking about an apartment building. The house is already fifty years old, but it is still considered modern and even a utopia that has been brought to life.

Cz, Prague: Dancing Building

No, the building is static and does not flutter in the wind or sway, it just resembles a dancing couple, which is why it got its original name. To be more precise, this is a building, but a complex consisting of two buildings. One of them, personifying a man, is a cylinder expanding upward. The second design, built on the type of a woman's figure, even has a thin waist and a dress, the hem of which develops in dance.

The dancing building compares favorably with its neighbors - other structures that were built at the turn of the century and look extremely boring and archaic. There is a panoramic restaurant on the roof of the dancing building, and the building itself houses the offices of various companies and organizations.

Germany, Darmstadt: spiral building in the forest

Visually, this structure seems to be a magical forest house, as if it had just come down from children's books with fairy tales. A whimsical facade, and most importantly - more than 1000 windows that do not repeat either in shape, size or decor. Some windows have become a place from where real trees break free.

The building itself is built in the shape of a horseshoe, but at the same time it rises upward in a spiral manner. In fact, it has 12 floors and is a residential complex, it has more than a hundred comfortable apartments, as well as a courtyard in which there was even a place for a pond, bridges, greenery and playgrounds. The fabulous origin of the house does not prevent it from having a parking lot, a pharmacy and other signs of civilization and developed infrastructure.

Thailand, Chiang Rai, White Temple

Despite the fact that this temple is located outside the city, it is always full of tourists. This is not surprising, because its architecture is truly impressive, as are the materials from which it is made. There is actually something to see here, tourists call it the most unusual and impressive Buddhist temple.

The White Temple got its name due to the fact that the material from which it was made looked more like ice. This effect was achieved on purpose, because the builder of the temple specially put pieces of glass into the plaster in order to reflect the sun from the walls. This effect is especially beautiful in the rays of sunrise or sunset.

The construction of the temple is still ongoing, because the artist is building it exclusively at his own expense, in the way he likes.

Portugal, Fafe: House of boulders

We can say that this house was built by nature itself, because its walls are huge boulders standing close to each other. This hut was built by representatives of the Rodriguez family, by way of life they were hermits, and in this hut they tried to find peace and quiet, because it was located far from settlements.

There is no electricity here, something like a fireplace was cut in one of the boulders, and that was how the house was heated. Alas, this family did not find peace here. It so happened that this stone hut so organically blended into the landscape that it began to attract the attention of tourists who began to come here more and more often, to the "joy" of the owners.

The owners of the house left it, now it is locked, and you can get inside only if you find them at home, but they are rarely there.

Canada, Niagara Falls, Ripley's House

This structure is interesting in that it is actually a synthesis of technical progress and elements. This structure was erected in memory of the largest earthquake in 1812. Ripley's house is a building that allegedly burst due to tremors. This building was recognized as the most photographed, as it has also long been a tourist attraction.

USA, Florida: domed house

The reason to build such an unusual house was also the natural disaster. In this area, storms often occurred, which destroyed the homes of local residents. That is why one couple decided to erect a house that would withstand the pressure of water and wind, while being beautiful and comfortable for life.

The plan succeeded, the domed house withstood many storms, while the neighboring houses were destroyed to the ground. In addition, this house fits perfectly into the unique nature of this area and looks just amazing, moreover, it is made of materials that do not harm nature.

Spain, Barcelona: cave house

When this house was just beginning to be built, it had already become a local landmark. It is not surprising, because the architect completely ignored straight lines and corners, and the bearing were not walls, but columns and arches, this allowed him to build unimaginable layouts and rooms of unusual shapes. Ceilings of different levels, oval windows - this structure actually resembles a cave, as it was called by the people. There are five floors in total and this is a residential building.

Japan, Tokyo: Residential complex for amateurs more difficult

If in the vast majority of cases housing is built according to the principle of "maximum comfort", then this residential complex was built according to the opposite principle. It is impossible to relax and exhale here, on the contrary, you always need to be on the lookout so as not to stumble or fall. Even in order to enter the apartment, you need to bend into three deaths - there are extremely low openings, even for the Japanese themselves. The floors are at different levels, inclined, the walls are bumpy, and the rosettes are located on the ceiling. In general, not life, but sheer fun.

People who need a shake-up are moving here and they admit that after they moved to this original home, their quality of life has only improved. By the way, it is impossible to buy an apartment in such a complex - they are not for sale, but only rented out. Apparently because living in such stress constantly will be more harmful and dangerous.

UK, London: Thin House

Probably, most have already seen this house on the Internet before, it is incredibly popular due to its unusual shape. On the one hand, its width is no more than one meter. The opposite side is noticeably wider and the structure has the shape of a wedge or triangle. That is, if the house is narrow, then only one side of it, in principle, it is quite suitable for life, and its interior is quite comfortable.

By the way, such a form for the house was not chosen by chance, it is not at all the whim of an architect who wants to draw attention to himself. There was simply no more space, there is a railway line behind the house, so the architect used all the free space to the maximum and built a comfortable dwelling on a plot of land that was practically unsuitable for this.

By the way, despite such an unusual shape, and perhaps thanks to it, there are more than enough people who want to buy an apartment in this house.