50 Times Architecture Lovers Were So Impressed With A Building They Saw, They Just Had To Share

Some might think that anarchitect’smain tasks are to create something that a) serves a purpose, b) is not a sore to the eyes, and c) is wind resistant, at least (ideally, durable enough to resist larger disturbances, too). And while that’s not far from the truth, there is so much more that goes into these three goals.The things hidden within said tasks are often what takes certain buildings from good to great, whether they add to their timeless charm, their functionality, or how well they blend within the environment. Today we want to shed light on some examples of all three, which have caught the attention of architecture enthusiasts on the ‘Architecture’ community on Reddit. Ranging from houses of worship to old McDonald’s locations, they have theje ne sais quoithat people seem to like; scroll down to try to figure out what it is yourself.Below you will also findBored Panda’sinterview with the designer and founder of Kurani, an architecture firm that designs life-changing spaces for education,Danish Kurani, who was kind enough to share his thoughts on what makes architecture great.This post may includeaffiliate links.

The things hidden within said tasks are often what takes certain buildings from good to great, whether they add to their timeless charm, their functionality, or how well they blend within the environment. Today we want to shed light on some examples of all three, which have caught the attention of architecture enthusiasts on the ‘Architecture’ community on Reddit. Ranging from houses of worship to old McDonald’s locations, they have theje ne sais quoithat people seem to like; scroll down to try to figure out what it is yourself.

Below you will also findBored Panda’sinterview with the designer and founder of Kurani, an architecture firm that designs life-changing spaces for education,Danish Kurani, who was kind enough to share his thoughts on what makes architecture great.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Preserved Edo Period Neighborhood In Japan

Under A Bridge In Egypt

The Neo-Gothic Architecture Of New College, University Of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland

It’s clear that some buildings are simply better than others, be it visually only or because of other reasons as well, such as functionality or energy efficiency, just to name a couple. That’s why architects have to think long and hard about numerous aspects of the dwelling, in addition to its appearance.“Good architecture is designed to serve the needs of the people who will use the space. It starts with a clear understanding of who the project will serve, support, and influence,” Danish Kurani toldBored Panda, discussing the features of excellent architecture.“It involves looking within and understanding the challenges, needs, and aspirations of the people who will use the space. It goes beyond considering personal style preferences and focuses on the underlying needs and experiences of the users.”

“Good architecture is designed to serve the needs of the people who will use the space. It starts with a clear understanding of who the project will serve, support, and influence,” Danish Kurani toldBored Panda, discussing the features of excellent architecture.

“It involves looking within and understanding the challenges, needs, and aspirations of the people who will use the space. It goes beyond considering personal style preferences and focuses on the underlying needs and experiences of the users.”

Ukraine - Lviv, Staircase In The House Of Scientists

Mont Saint-Michel In Normandy, France, Started In The 12th Cent. (1080x1233)

Other things architects should focus on, according to Kurani, are solving real problems and prioritizing functionality. “Good architecture focuses on solving real problems rather than superficial issues. It prioritizes solutions that improve the lives of the users and meet their objectives.”“While aesthetics are important, they should not come at the expense of practicality and usability. The design should be functional, sustainable, and meet the needs of the users,” he added.

“While aesthetics are important, they should not come at the expense of practicality and usability. The design should be functional, sustainable, and meet the needs of the users,” he added.

Weinhardt Mansion (Chicago, 1888)

This Building In Brussels, Belgium

Pretty Cool How They Managed To Preserve The City

Expanding on the matter of sustainability, Kurani pointed out that architects should aim to create buildings and spaces that are energy-efficient, reduce waste, and rely on renewable resources; they should take into account the environmental impact of the design and seek to minimize negative consequences.

17th Century Grafarkirkja Turf Church In North Iceland, The Oldest Turf Church In Iceland. (1347x1681)

The Ceiling Of The Shah Mosque In Isfahan, Iran

Meteora Monasteries, Greece 🇬🇷

Some of the last but not least things architects should focus on are having an informed design approach and a problem-solving mindset. According to the designer, the first one involves engaging with the users, observing their behaviors and needs, and involving them in the design process (which helps to create designs that truly meet the needs and aspirations of the users), while the second focuses on being able to identify the right problems to solve and prioritizing solutions over visual style.

“Azure Blue Pool” At Hearst Castel, San Simeon, California

Barcelona , Spain

Shades Of Blue Highlight This San Francisco Victorian Home

But some people out of the 222,000 in the US and many more elsewhere in the world have gone way past being good and presented the world with awe-inspiring examples of architectural wonders. (If you want to browse such examples, continue tothe listof masterpieces that won the 2020 Architecture MasterPrize or marvel at the cool and unique architecture, as shared onthis online community, and see for yourself.)

Poland

One Of My Favorite Simple And Beautiful Buildings

Winter Garden, Biltmore Estate

Discussing what takes a building fromgoodtogreat, Kurani first and foremost suggested that applause-worthy creations solve real problems. According to the expert, their design should prioritize solutions over style and address the specific needs and goals of the people using the space.They should also be designed for change. “The design should recognize the power of the built environment to change people and nudge them towards desired behaviors and mindsets,” he said.

They should also be designed for change. “The design should recognize the power of the built environment to change people and nudge them towards desired behaviors and mindsets,” he said.

Palace In Russia With A Giant Iron Tree Built Into The Façade (Kazan Ministry Of Architecture)

Yemeni Architecture

King Alfred’s Tower In England, Built In 1772 (1242x1388)

“The design should follow nature,” Kurani continued. “It should respect the influence of natural factors such as light, air, and materials on people and incorporate them in a way that aligns with our evolutionary and biological needs.”Respecting nature often goes hand in hand with the next feature - building locally, as using certain locally-sourced materials can be more eco-friendly than sending them from a land far, far away. “The design should source materials and approaches to construction from the local area, minimizing the use of materials that harm the environment,” the designer told Bored Panda.

Respecting nature often goes hand in hand with the next feature - building locally, as using certain locally-sourced materials can be more eco-friendly than sending them from a land far, far away. “The design should source materials and approaches to construction from the local area, minimizing the use of materials that harm the environment,” the designer told Bored Panda.

The Oceanographic Museum Of Monaco

Abandoned Church Purchased By Skaters And Renovated Into A Skatepark. What Are Your Thoughts?

In England You Sometimes See These “Wavy” Brick Fences. And Curious As It May Seem, This Shape Uses Fewer Bricks Than A Straight Wall. A Straight Wall Needs At Least Two Layers Of Bricks To Make Is Sturdy, But The Wavy Wall Is Fine Thanks To The Arch Support Provided By The Waves

Two of the last features that take architecture to the next level are being contextual and able to evoke emotion. Talking about the first one, Danish Kurani suggested that, “The design should consider the total impact of a choice, not just one effect in isolation, and ensure that it aligns with the overall goals and principles.”

Stuyvesant St., New York - USA

Baps Akshardham Temple, Delhi, India

Les Espaces D’abraxas, Noisy-Le-Grand, France

If you’re looking for some more examples of awe-inspiring architecture, browsethese instancesof architects putting in the effort to make something extra special and succeeding next. Happy scrolling!

Got The Keys To Where I’m Opening My Cafe. I Thought You Guys Might Like The Building