Famous Architectural Buildings

The history of architecture is filled with famous architectural buildings, but few are as well-known as those in New York City, Shanghai, and Sydney. We'll explore the architecture of Le Corbusier, the design of the Sydney Opera House, Philip Johnson's Taipei 101, and the influence of other architects. You'll also discover what made these buildings so popular. Listed below are some of the most iconic buildings of all time.

Le Corbusier's influence on architecture

In the era of modern architecture, Le Corbusier's impact was undeniable. Born in 1887, Charles-Edouard Le Corbusier had the artistic inclinations to become an architect. At age 15, he designed his first pocket watch. He was 18 when he developed his first piece of architecture. He studied architecture under Auguste Perret, a French architect who pioneered the use of reinforced concrete in residential architecture. Le Corbusier began using his pseudonym when he became a professor at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in 1919. He advanced the theories associated with the Modern Movement, which emphasized practicality and functionality over aesthetics.

Jorn Utzon's design for Sydney Opera House

Jorn Utzon was a Danish architect who won a competition to design the Sydney Opera House. Born in 1918, he grew up in Denmark, where he was inspired by the architecture of a local naval architect, Gunnar Asplund. In the 1940s, he studied architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where he studied under Kay Fisker and Steen Eiler Rasmussen. After graduating from the academy, he spent a year in Sweden, where he worked with Arne Jacobsen and Frank Lloyd Wright. His interest in these architects' work led him to study them further.

Philip Johnson's architecture

In the early 1950s, Philip Johnson began designing temples and other architectural landmarks. His style often combined curvilinear shapes with historical quotation. Several of his buildings became landmarks for modern architecture. He was awarded the first Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1979 and the Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects in 1978. His career was not complete without awards, however. He continued to design into the early 21st century.

Taipei 101

The National Palace Museum, located at 228 Peace Memorial Park in Zhongzheng District, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Taipei. Designated as a national monument in 1998, this building has been used to host a wide variety of exhibitions. It features two permanent exhibitions and displays on pre-history and indigenous culture. Another popular attraction in Taipei is the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.

The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is one of the world's most iconic and famous architectural buildings. Its construction took place during a race to construct the tallest skyscraper. With the city's economy booming in the late 1920s, builders and developers competed to build the tallest building. Two of the main competitors were 40 Wall Street, the Bank of Manhattan building, and the Chrysler Building, designed by car mogul Walter Chrysler. Each tower tried to outdo the other by adding more floors, until the Empire State Building was completed. This competition culminated in the August 1929 announcement of the Empire State Building's completion.