As I looked forward to this summer, I was so eager to start my internship at Blank Architects in Moscow. Realization that I do not have ANY architectural experience whatsoever didn't stop me from coming here... So, it's my second day, and in between endlessly printing somebody's drafts and folding them, I decided not to waste time: here I will share some of my favorite constructions, projects, and, of course, their creators.
1. Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Center
Zaha Hadid simply drives me crazy with her architectural ideas. When I look at her Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Center, my brain is ready to explode. The smooth shape of the building and vein-like structure make it look alive, constantly moving, unstable. Is it a spaceship that just landed? I stare at it and start to think that there is no limit to Hadid's creativity.
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| Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Center |
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| Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Center |
2. Central Bank of Iraq
Though building is only in design phase, the model looks impressive. Solitary skyscraper, Central Bank of Iraq may become a new landmark in Iraq. The architect of this fascination is also Zaha Hadid.
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| Central Bank of Iraq |
3. La Sagrada Familia
Even though I admire the examples of deconstructivism mentioned above, Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia remains my favorite building of all times. It is incredibly tall, and as you stand in front of the entrance and tilt your head back, you basically can not see the end of the temple. I can go on and on describing my emotions when I see sunlight shining through the multicolor stained glass or when I contrast fortress-like exterior with welcoming fairytale interior design, but I will just stop there and let you see for yourself.
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| La Sagrada Familia |
4.Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
Norman Foster has created many beautiful buildings among which I particularly like Palace of Peace and Reconciliation in Astana, Kazakhstan. I haven't seen pyramids in a while...
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| Palace of Peace and Reconciliation |
5.Millau Viaduct
Not a building, but a bridge, Millau Viaduct is the tallest construction in France, exceeding the height of the Eiffel Tower. Majestic, pointing at the skies bridge was designed by grandeous architect Norman Foster, and I wish I will drive across it one day.
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| Millau Viaduct |
6. The Seven Sisters
Probably also ones of my absolute favorites, the Seven Sisters were built under Stalin's guidance in 1940-1950s. As I previously thought, there should have been one leading architect behind all these buildings, but I was incorrect: there were many of them. Also, I never thought before that abroad these skyscrapers would be called the Seven Sisters: Russian people call them Stalinskie Vysotki.
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| Stalinskaya Vysotka |
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| Moscow State University |
7. Jubilee Church
Yes, it is a church. When I look at this modern white building with curved walls and windows from the floor to the ceiling, church is the last thing I think of. In my interpretation, church is supposed to be in gothic, baroque, rococo, classical, or other more traditional architectural styles. This creation by Richard Meier just doesn't go with my understanding of religious constructions. I still like the building though.
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| Jubilee Church |
8. The Dancing House
Frank Gehry is Gaudi of the 21st century. His buildings look funky, with curves, unusual windows, extraordinary forms, and if Gaudi worked in Catalan modernism, Gehry took it one step further to deconstructivism. I still see a lot of resemblance between Gaudi's creations and Gehry's. For example, the Dancing House by Gehry and La Pedrera by Gaudi. Both buildings are asymmetric, with odd windows, like a liquid frozen in a funky shape.
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| The Dancing House |
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| La Pedrera |
I can't tell I know much about architecture yet, so Google was my best friend in creating this post. Maybe next time I'll write more about modern from technological perspective buildings - like the one that changes its form (Dynamic Tower by David Fisher)...
