15 famous buildings and their architects

11. Sydney Opera House – Jorn Utzon | Famous Buildings

Arguably, among the most famous buildings in Australia, and considered the eighth wonder of the world, the Sydney Opera House constitutes a masterpiece of the 20th century. The construction of the opera house started after the demolition of the existing Fort Macquarie Tram Depot, in three stages ; (i) Foundation of the building and podium overlooking the ocean (ii) development of outer shells (iii) Interior schemes.

The concept behind the shells was to be portrayed like large sails with a striking contrast to the blue ocean. True to its concept, the shells were covered with white ceramic tiles from clay and limestone; it took 11 years to complete its iconic roof structure. Interiors were done during the final stage under the supervision of newly appointed architects, where Utzon’s original designs were significantly changed.

The planning includes a minor hall, originally intended for stage productions; it was changed into operas and ballet rooms, Grand staircase making way to the auditoriums. Extensive renovations were made by the government to turn the opera house into a monument of technology in the 20th century.

12. Taj Mahal – Shah Jahan

Taj Mahal, one of the easily recognizable structures in the world, unanimously known as the “Symbol of eternal love” was a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal by Shah Jahan. The structure is considered to be harmoniously integrated with the environment complimenting the structure itself along with River Yamuna running by.

Taj Mahal is a literal symbol of the Mughal style, infusing Islamic, Persian, and Indian styles. More than twenty thousand workers were involved for this magnificent exterior and intricate interior to be completed.

Significant features of the complex are symmetrical buildings with the arch-shaped doorway which are originally Persian. The multi-chambered cube behaves as the main structure with vaulted archways on all four sides, where false sarcophagi of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan are placed, whereas the original graves are beneath the ground with minarets which are traditional Islamic elements on boundaries, one at each corner. 

Interiors and exteriors are astonishing equally as it is laid with precious gemstones and detailed carvings creating harmonious and religious encounters with the public.

13. Petronas towers – Kuala Lumpur | Famous Buildings

Petronas Towers by Cesar Pelli is a cultural and architectural icon and is considered to be one of the tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004 paying homage to Islamic architecture in Malaysia. The towers were not just fascinated by their height, yet the conceptual ideas of Pelli to integrate Islamic motifs and symbols to evoke the city’s rich cultural ideologies. The tower rises to 452 meters, as it goes tapered towards the top of the tower, stabilizing the towers structurally, and making an elegant perspective of the skyline of Malaysia. Unlike other twin towers, where the towers are connected by Sky Bridge, connecting two floors at 41st and 42nd levels respectively. These bridges, though connected could move independently during harsh weather. 

Although the Petronas towers are not the tallest building anymore, it stands as an iconic structure in Malaysia and has diverted people’s radar toward Malaysia’s culture and heritage.

14. Hagia Sophia – Constantine I

 Enlisted as a UNESCO Heritage site, Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey was the world’s largest cathedral, until the completion of Seville cathedral in 1520. It was an orthodox Greek cathedral from its completion in 537 to1453, briefly a Roman Catholic church from 1204 to 1261, a mosque from 1453 to 1931, and a museum from 1931 to 2020, now reverting as a mosque.

Hagia Sophia is truly fascinating imposing enormous cultural, historical, and religious transposes in its architectural history. Originally built, the church incorporated ashlar and brick. It follows typical cathedral planning with the nave being covered with a central dome, resting on four pendentives, which was truly captivating at that time. Over the years, interiors are embellished with golden mosaics, and decors representing Islamic style, whereas the minarets at exteriors, one used red bricks and the other three used limestones and sandstone.

15. Angkor Wat – Suryavarman II | Famous Buildings

Angkor Wat, One of the largest temple complexes in Angor, area of present-day Cambodia. Originally dedicated to Lord Vishnu as a Khmer temple, it was later dedicated to Buddha as a Buddhist monastery, and still, it behaves as a religious pilgrimage till today.

The temple primarily follows Khmer architecture, pyramids, and concentric galleries, where the galleries create pathways to central shrines and pyramids punctuating the corners of the temple. The entire complex faces west as the temple was initially dedicated to Lord Vishnu as he rules the western quadrant of the compass. As mentioned above, Angkor Wat is the largest temple among the complexes, as it is enclosed by a moat and the area spans the outer wall from the moat,1500m from east to west,1300m from north to south.

The complex is a literal symbol of Hindu beliefs, as the pyramids represent the peaks of mountains, a succession of concentric galleries as mountain ranges that surround Mountain Meru- Home of Gods and a moat representing mythical oceans.

References

1. David Douglass-Jaimes. “AD Classics: Angkor Wat” 13 Oct 2018. Available at: Arch Daily.. <https://www.archdaily.com/101004/ad-classics-angkor-wat> ISSN 0719-88849 [Accessed 11 Sep 2022]
2. Adelyn Perez. “AD Classics: Sydney Opera House / Jørn Utzon” 23 Jun 2010. Available at: Arch Daily. <https://www.archdaily.com/65218/ad-classics-sydney-opera-house-j%25c3%25b8rn-utzon> ISSN 0719-8884 88849 [Accessed 11 Sep 2022]
3. Andrew Kroll. “AD Classics: Petronas Towers / Cesar Pelli” 24 Jan 2011. . Available at:Arch Daily.. <https://www.archdaily.com/105895/ad-classics-petronas-towers-cesar-pelli> ISSN 0719-8884 [Accessed 11 Sep 2022]
4. Karen Cilento. “The Shard / Renzo Piano” 28 Aug 2009.Available at: Arch Daily. <https://www.archdaily.com/33494/the-shard-renzo-piano> ISSN 0719-8884 [Accessed 11 Sep 2022]
5. Adelyn Perez. “AD Classics: The Glass House / Philip Johnson” 17 May 2010. Available at: Arch Daily. <https://www.archdaily.com/60259/ad-classics-the-glass-house-philip-johnson> ISSN 0719-8884 [Accessed 11 Sep 2022]
6. Eduardo Souza. “AD Classics: Le Grand Louvre / I.M. Pei” 18 Nov 2010C Arch Daily. <https://www.archdaily.com/88705/ad-classics-le-grande-louvre-i-m-pei> ISSN 0719-8884 [Accessed 11 Sep 2022]
7. Eric Baldwin. “CopenHill: The Story of BIG’s Iconic Waste-to-Energy Plant” 07 Oct 2019. Available at:  Arch Daily<https://www.archdaily.com/925966/copenhill-the-story-of-bigs-iconic-waste-to-energy-plant> ISSN 0719-8884 [Accessed 11 Sep 2022]
8. Andrew Kroll. “AD Classics: Indian Institute of Management / Louis Kahn” 25 Oct 2010. Available at:  Arch Daily. <https://www.archdaily.com/83697/ad-classics-indian-institute-of-management-louis-kahn> ISSN 0719-8884 [Accessed 11 Sep 2022]
9. Adelyn Perez. “AD Classics: Seagram Building / Mies van der Rohe” 10 May 2010. Available at:  Arch Daily. <https://www.archdaily.com/59412/ad-classics-seagram-building-mies-van-der-rohe> ISSN 0719-8884 [Accessed 11 Sep 2022]
10. Luke Fiederer. “AD Classics: Salk Institute / Louis Kahn” 11 Jan 2019. Available at: Arch Daily. <https://www.archdaily.com/61288/ad-classics-salk-institute-louis-kahn> ISSN 0719-8884 [Accessed 11 Sep 2022]
11. Rennie Jones. “AD Classics: La Sagrada Familia / Antoni Gaudí” 16 Oct 2013. Available at:Arch Daily. <https://www.archdaily.com/438992/ad-classics-la-sagrada-familia-antoni-gaudi> ISSN 0719-8884 [Accessed 11 Sep 2022]