Top 10 Most Must-See Architectural Wonders of the Modern World

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What makes modern architecture more unique is the fusion of both past and present, today's innovative designs, and future dreams. Explore the list of most ... read more...

  1. Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest artificial structure in the world at 829.8 m and with 160 stories. Visitors can visit the 148 levels and 125 levels to experience the magnificent views of Dubai from the tallest point in any building. A mixed-use tower designed by architect Adrian Smith, Burj Khalifa has residential space, and office space and is the home to Armani Hotel Dubai and Armani Residences. Locations inside the building are intricately designed, each with a meaning and purpose. The construction of Burj Khalifa started in the year 2005, and it took approximately five years to complete this landmark of sheer elegance and luxury.


    The entrance lobby of Burj Khalifa has a sculpture made with 196 cymbals named World’s Voices; the water dripping from the ceiling gently creates an orchestra of sounds meant to symbolize the different voices of people around the globe. Burj Khalifa SKY “At the Top” features a trip to the world’s tallest observation deck, a guided tour, and refreshments at the SKY lounge. In addition, one can book tickets for different trips to Burj Khalifa online. The use of state-of-art technology and design inspired by the Great Mosque of Samarra and other Islamic architecture in the world makes this attraction in Dubai, one of the most must-see architectural wonders of the modern world.


    • Location: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai
    Source: greatdubai.com
    Source: greatdubai.com
    Source: burjkhalifa.ae
    Source: burjkhalifa.ae

  2. Museums are also a way of reflecting the country's culture and history. One of the most visited museums is the Guggenheim Museum. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is an art museum in the Bilbao City of Spain and is designed by revered architect Frank Gehry. A 2005 survey by Vanity Fair to determine the definitive construction project since 1980 declared the museum in Bilbao as the most influential. It is considered one of the biggest museums in Spain, and also one of the most must-see architectural wonders of the modern world. There is no straight edge in the building, and the surfaces are softly folded and blended. The Guggenheim Museum impresses visitors not only with the art it exhibits but also with its design.


    Spread over three floors, the 20 gallery rooms are constructed with various shapes meant to alter perspective for visitors based on the type of art, which ranges from modern and postmodern from the 20th century to the present day. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao was called the “greatest building of its time” by experts and its cultural impact flooded the little city with visitors, giving the economy a boost. The museum’s opening revitalized Bilbao’s economy, bringing millions of visitors to see its groundbreaking, sculpture-like curved structure and the modern art exhibitions inside.


    • Location: Bilbao, Spain
    Source: townandcountrymag.com
    Source: townandcountrymag.com
    Source: guggenheim-bilbao.eus
    Source: guggenheim-bilbao.eus
  3. Tokyo SkyTree is currently the second-tallest building in the world and the tallest in Japan, and also one of the most must-see architectural wonders of the modern world. The innovative design includes seismic proofing to negate the effects of an earthquake. There is a viewing deck for visitors. The skyscraper’s construction finished on February 2012 and was opened to the public 3 months after. It was then declared the tallest tower existing. It is primarily used for television and radio broadcasts though it also houses a restaurant and an observatory.


    Tokyo SkyTree also resembles a 5-story pagoda from historical Japan, while incorporating state-of-the-art earthquake resistance and disaster prevention design. It even has its own official exterior color called the “Skytree White”. The observation deck at 450m offers a 360-degree view of the city. There is a Tokyo Skytree Station on the Tobu Skytree Line and several Skytree shuttle buses that bring people to the tower from various parts of Tokyo. Construction of the epic broadcasting tower was completed in 2012, fusing futuristic design with traditional Japanese aesthetics. It’s painted in “Skytree White”, representing harmony with its environment.


    • Location: Tokyo, Japan
    Source: tokyocheapo.com
    Source: tokyocheapo.com
    Source: japan-guide.com
    Source: japan-guide.com
  4. Inaugurated on December 2007, this structure houses an opera house and is primarily made of titanium. National Centre for the Performing Arts was designed by Paul Andreu, becoming one of the most must-see architectural wonders of the modern world. Known by locals as “the giant egg” this impressive near-cylindrical structure gives the impression of a full oval when reflected in the surrounding water. It hosts Opera, Theatre, and Music events in its respective halls. The best way to experience it is to attend a performance. Built for the 2008 Summer Olympics, the gleaming dome, which looks as if it’s floating on the lake, contains an opera house, concert hall, and theatre, all of which are accessed via a hallway underneath the water. Rather than being constructed in the woven, stylized fashion, it’s actually been stripped of adornment to show the beams underneath in a fully transparent style free of pomp.


    National Centre for the Performing Arts officially the National Stadium and unofficially the “Bird’s Nest” was designed and built, especially for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. With the iconic nest-like outer shell made of steel, the sheer weight of the structure was a key issue for the construction team but the fact that it held up proves this to be an engineering marvel. The 2022 Summer Olympics and Paralympics are scheduled to be held here. Apart from that, the aesthetic stadium hosts several sporting and cultural events, with a plan to construct shopping and entertainment areas around it to attract visitors.


    • Location: Beijing, China
    Source: thebeijinger.com
    Source: thebeijinger.com
    Source: asiasociety.org
    Source: asiasociety.org
  5. Burj Al Arab is a hotel built on an artificial island. Designed by lead architect Tom Wright. It officially opened in December 1999. In the list of most must-see architectural wonders of the modern world, this is another style combining glass, plastic, metal, decentralized lighting, new technologies, lifts, and stairs with various designs. This style was widely used by the British in the 1970s and 1980s. Burj Al Arab is the first 7-star hotel in the world. The hotel was built on an artificial island 280 meters from the coast. The 321-meter-high hotel is in sail form. Choosing the Al-Arab Hotel, people accept the legendary interior and luxurious rooms.


    The iconic Burj Al Arab is a striking 28-story symbol of new-world bling. One of the tallest hotels in the world, the gleaming building is built on an artificial island, 280m from the mainland, and is shaped like a huge billowing sail. The Burj Al Arab stands as a symbol of Dubai’s modern outlook, with opulence in abundance when you enter this gorgeous hotel. Made to represent a sloop with full sail, it accomplishes the illusion of motion along with the standard towering nature of an ordinary skyscraper. It’s the vision of Tom Wright in a lovely collaboration between east and west.


    • Location: Dubai, UAE
    Source: architecturaldigest.com
    Source: architecturaldigest.com
    Source: jumeirah.com
    Source: jumeirah.com
  6. The Marina Bay Sands Hotel is a luxury 5-star hotel and casino that can be found in Marina Bay Sands, a resort integrated into the famous Marina Bay of Singapore. This incredible building (or three connecting buildings) is the most expensive standalone casino property in the world. Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort located at the Bayfront Subzone in Downtown Core. It is one of the many integrated resorts under the US-Based company Las Vegas Sands Corporation. It is one of the best tourist attractions in Singapore, and also the most must-see architectural wonders of the modern world.


    Owned by Las Vegas Sands, the Marina Bay Sands Hotel is a luxurious resort that was the most expensive standalone casino property when it opened in 2010. This integrated resort houses a 2,561-room hotel, the monumental The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands mall, a museum, two large theatres, “celebrity chef” restaurants, two floating Crystal Pavilions, art-science exhibits, and the world’s largest atrium casino with 500 tables and 1,600 slot machines. That and a 1-hectare terrace that connects the three towers, called the Sands SkyPark, gives continuous views of the famous Marina Bay. Marina Bay Sands Hotel is one of the famous hotels in Singapore with a rooftop pool. Here, visitors can sit in the pool, or by the poolside, have a drink, and relax while gazing at one of the most beautiful places in the world.


    • Location: Singapore
    Source: architonic.com
    Source: architonic.com
    Source: marinabaysands.com
    Source: marinabaysands.com
  7. Nagoya Science Museum and Planetarium feature a characteristic giant silver globe, which houses one of the world's largest planetariums. Programs at the planetarium vary monthly and cover current astronomical phenomena. Although shows are conducted only in Japanese, they can nevertheless be interesting just by looking at the stars and other elements of nature being projected on the huge spherical screen. Originally just a science museum, the structure was renovated last 2012 to add a planetarium that mainly features modern science and technology. Planetarium shows are 50 minutes long and are held 6 times a day and are said to be very informative and entertaining for the whole family.


    Nagoya Science Museum and Planetarium, at the center of Nagoya City in central Japan, can be easily recognized by its enormous silver globe, called Brother Earth, which appears to hang in the air, wedged between two buildings. The globe, which looks incredible from the outside, is home to the largest planetarium in the world with a 35-meter projection screen. Five floors of the seven-storied museum are dedicated to a comprehensive array of permanent exhibits, while temporary exhibitions are periodically held in the basement. The permanent exhibits present ample opportunities for visitors of all ages to try their hand at learning science through interactive experiments. They include several large displays such as the "Tornado Lab", the "Electric Discharge Lab" and the "Deep Freezing Lab," which simulates conditions at the earth's polar regions. This is one of the must-see architectural wonders of the modern world.


    • Location: Aichi, Japan
    Source: japan-experience.com
    Source: japan-experience.com
    Source: amusingplanet.com
    Source: amusingplanet.com
  8. Ferrari World is an amusement park for kids and especially for kids at heart car lovers. Located in UAE, the main building is truly among the must-see architectural wonders of the modern world. Seen from the air, Ferrari world in the UAE’s wealthiest emirate looks unreal. This shiny red homage to the magnificence and power of the Ferrari racing engine includes an entire theme park. Enjoy a family-friendly day of cutting-edge attractions, including the lightning-fast Formula Rossa rollercoaster and more than 20 other rides. Automobile lovers will delight in the behind-the-scenes peek into the making of Italy’s leading luxury vehicle brand.


    Home to the fastest roller coaster in the world, Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi is the world’s first and only Ferrari-branded theme park. Officially called the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Zip Line, the path starts in the heart of the park and passes through the middle of the Flying Aces roller coaster loop. For those looking for some competition, a dual racing challenge is also available, to test your speed against family and friends. Beneath its huge iconic red roof, it houses numerous high-adrenaline rides including the world’s fastest rollercoaster, the Formula Rossa, which reaches record-breaking speeds of 240kmph in just 4.9 seconds, family-friendly attractions, state-of-the-art simulators, live shows and a treasure chest of inspiring racing memorabilia. Open 365 days a year, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi offers a unique experience for visitors of every age in a refreshing indoor and climate-controlled environment.


    • Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
    Source: ferrariworldabudhabi.com
    Source: ferrariworldabudhabi.com
    Source: yasmarinacircuit.com
    Source: yasmarinacircuit.com
  9. The tallest building in London and the European Union - the Shard is a marvel of modern engineering boasting 95 stories offering the finest views of fast-paced London, it become one of the most must-see architectural wonders of the modern world. The Shard is not simply an iconic building but represents a new approach to expanding the urban landscape. Offices, residences, and public spaces alike are all taken skyward. It resembles a shard of glass, hence the name. It stands on the site of the old Southwark Towers, which was demolished in 2008. The building forms the centerpiece of the Shard Quarter on the south side of the River Thames. It’s close to several London attractions, including Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, and The Clink Museum. Above the hotel are 12 floors of exclusive residential apartments with some of the best views in the capital. Two observation decks top off the structure, collectively known as The View from The Shard.


    The Shard formerly known as London Bridge Tower is the tallest building in the United Kingdom at 309.6 meters in height. It is the wonder of modern engineering architecture with 72-stories habitable floors. It has a viewing gallery and an open-air observation terrace on the 72nd floor. If you’re brave enough, pop on a virtual reality headset and strap in for a unique ride that makes you feel like you are being hurled off the side of The Shard for a 100-mph high-adrenaline descent. Of course, as it’s virtual there’s no danger, but it’s certainly a thrilling way to experience the London skyline.


    • Location: London, UK
    Source: the-shard.com
    Source: the-shard.com
    Source: theviewfromtheshard.com
    Source: theviewfromtheshard.com
  10. The China Central Television Headquarters is not a traditional tower, but a conjunction of six vertical and horizontal facades with 51 stories. Despite its irregular physical structure, the tower is designed to withhold heavy seismic activity. The building’s primary support is achieved through the irregular grid on its surface, a visible expression of the forces traveling through the tube structure; the smaller the diagonal pattern, the stronger the load and the greater the support. The braced tube structure also gives the building the required robustness to withstand the likely seismic activity in the area and therefore provides an extra level of safety. This place deserves to be one of the must-see architectural wonders of the modern world.


    China Central Television Headquarters was opened in 2008 as an office building and headquarters for the China Media Group (CMG) and its highest point is 234m from the ground. Because of its iconic design, which earned it the nickname “big boxer shorts” or “big pants”, it is a reinvention of the generic skyscraper design in the form of a loop. The overall design of this building is just truly commendable. It was a government venture which was done as a redevelopment plan of the capital which was designed focusing on functional and innovative architecture. This is the largest project of OMA and was regarded as the first major building in China. This building consists of two high towers of the L shape, which are joined at the top and bottom to provide a loop-like structure. The glass panels are the features of this hybrid freestanding building that provide high-quality sun screening and create soft and shiny gray color for the subtle outer appearance of this wonderful masterpiece.


    • Location: Beijing, China
    Source: structuresinsider.com
    Source: structuresinsider.com
    Source: architecturalrecord.com
    Source: architecturalrecord.com



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