8 Stunning Travel Destinations for Architecture Aficionados

Imagine looking out the window of an airplane as it makes its descent into its travel destination. Are you filled with a sense of wonder as you think about taking in the breathtaking views of the buildings and the cityscape as a whole, anticipating being able to see all their intricate details up close? So many stories are held within a city’s Architecture; within a building’s carvings, windows, floors, ceilings, walls, entrances, and stairs. Architecture is like a bridge connecting past and present, tradition and innovation, aesthetic and function, shaping the ways in which people live and interact with the space around them. If architecture is of interest to you, you’ll definitely want to plan a trip to one of the following eight cities known for their awe-inspiring architecture.

Dubai, UAE: Dubai is home to the Burj Khalifa. At 2,723 feet, it is currently the world’s tallest building. Built of steel, glass, and concrete, its neo-futuristic style also includes aspects of traditional Islamic architecture. It has 57 elevators, which go up 10 meters a second, making them the third-fastest elevators in the world. It takes approximately one minute to reach the observation deck on the 124^th floor. The tip of the sphere of the Burj Khalifa can be seen from up to 95 kilometers away. Other architectural highlights in Dubai include the Burj Al Arab, a seven-star hotel with 202 suites, and The World, a manmade archipelago designed to resemble a world map. Dubai is an example of how a city can transform from a barren desert to a mecca of luxury and tourism all within the span of a few decades.

Brasília, Brazil: The capital of Brazil was designed in 1956 by architect Oscar Niemeyer, who was commissioned by then-President Juscelino Kubitschek. Brasília’s architecture style is futuristic, defined by dynamic lines, sharp contrasts, and the use of concrete and glass. Perhaps the most famous landmark is the Catedral Metropolitana, complete with 16 parabolic concrete columns that soar towards the building’s stained-glass window ceiling. You’ll also want to check out the Palacio da Avarado, which is the President’s residence, the Museu Nacional, Three Powers square, which is home to many of the government buildings, the Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge overlooking the Paranoa Lake, and the Cultural Complex of the Republic.

Rome, Italy: Largely inspired by ancient Greek architecture, Rome has been an architectural hotspot since the ancient Classical period. Today, Rome is best known for its grand, opulent Baroque architecture marked by contrast between light and shadow. The Pantheon has been a marvel for architects all over the world for the past 2000 years, as its dome is the biggest brick dome in the history of architecture, and is also the largest un-reinforced concrete dome on Earth. It is considered the forerunner of all places of worship. And of course, you can’t miss a visit to the Colosseum, considered one of the greatest works of Roman engineering. Other highlights include the Aqueducts, the Temple of Vesta, the Vatican, and the Baths of Caracalla. The city is filled with extravagant cathedrals, palaces, and fountains, making it a must-visit for architecture aficionados. For a more modern taste of the city, you’ll want to pay a visit to the Bridge of Music—a steel pedestrian and bicyclist bridge overlooking the Tiber River.

Barcelona, Spain: In Barcelona, you will find Roman and Gothic buildings intermixed with Antoni Gaudí’s modern, whimsical style. An early 19^th-century Catalan architect, Gaudí was inspired by modern Gothic and oriental techniques. He is known for his use of flamboyant colors, organic forms, multi-colored ceramic and stained-glass mosaics, and undulating stonework and ironwork. Two of his famous masterpieces include Park Güell and Casa Batllo. He also designed La Sagrada Familia, but died before it was completed. Sculptors are working to complete the project, which is scheduled to finish in 2026.

Istanbul, Turkey: Istanbul is a hub of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture. In the Hagia Sophia Mosque, you will find displays of both styles, with the Byzantine dome and colored mosaics and the Ottoman minarets and Islamic calligraphy. You’ll also want to visit the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, to take in the ravishing blue-tiled walls inside. Another architectural gem is the Basilica Cistern. Having served as an aqueduct, it is an underground cathedral-like structure with Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns. Other attractions include Tokapi Palace, once the heart of the Ottoman Empire, and the Column of Constantine.

Chicago, IL: Chicago is known to be one of the most if not the most architecturally rich cities in the United States. Although the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed much of the city’s downtown, it also paved the way for the building of the world’s first skyscraper—the 10-story Home Insurance Building. Chicago is home to Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower). At 110 stories and 1,450 feet, Willis Tower was the world’s tallest building for 25 years. Another one of its highlights is the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The pavilion is famous for being the first outdoor structure in the US to incorporate the LARES sound system using reflection and reverberation to create perfect acoustics. Near the pavilion is the Cloud Gate—a famous giant bean. How’s that for innovative architecture? These are just a few of Chicago’s many architectural marvels. You can also take a tour of the home of famous architect Frank Llloyd Wright, who hailed from Chicago. Have a look at his studio where he generated many of his brilliant design concepts.

Shanghai, China: The city of Shanghai looks like a scene out of a sci-fi movie. Famous for its sparkling skyscrapers and modern architecture, Shanghai is home to the Jin Mao Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center—two of Asia’s tallest buildings. It is also home to the Shanghai Tower, which has the world’s highest observation deck. In the Bund and the French Concession, you will also find Chinese Art Deco. Other notable sites to visit are the Himalayas Museum, which has a root-like exterior, the Oriental Art Center, which has interconnecting hemispherical petals, the Museum of Glass, and the Shanghai Grand Theater.

Miami, FL: Miami Beach’s Historic District has the largest art deco architecture collection in the world. The city’s buildings are known for symmetrical and geometrical patterns, floral and animal motifs, pastel colors, stepped roofs, and curved corners. Walking along the South Beach, Ocean Drive, and Collins Avenue, you will be surrounded by the elegant and glamorous art deco mansions, designed between the 1920s and 1940s to attract rich folks from the North. If you visit Miami in January, you can attend Art Deco Weekend—a free 3-day cultural festival that is a playground for any art deco fan.

If you’ve been to any of these cities and want to talk about your experience, you’re itching to visit and want to talk to someone who knows the place well, you want to talk more about architecture, or you are just passionate about any topic under the sun, you’ll want to check out Konversai. Konversai is a global knowledge platform that connects providers of knowledge with seekers of knowledge on any topic of interest through one-on-one live video conversations. No matter who you are or where you are in the world, you have valuable knowledge, skills, and experiences to share that can benefit someone somewhere else in the world. Konversai allows you to make that happen. With Konversai, geography, time, and finance are no longer barriers to sharing or accessing knowledge. Knowledge providers can charge as much money as they want sharing what they know, all on their own time and from the comfort of their home. Knowledge seekers, on the other hand, can enjoy a personalized, one-on-one session with an actual human being on exactly what they’re looking to learn on any given topic. Any and all knowledge, skills, and experiences you possess have value on Konversai. The only limit is your imagination. You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity. Get started today by signing up for Konversai!

Sources:

1. Danner, Christi. (2015). 10 Vacations for Architecture Lovers in 2015. Complex.
2. Dermody, K.C. (2018). 10 Vacation Destinations with the Best Architecture. Trips to Discover.
3. Hussain, Benita and Morton, Caitlin. (2017). The World’s 20 Best Cities for Architecture Lovers. Condē Nast Traveler.
4. (2018). 5 Stunning Cities for Architecture Lovers Across The World. A World to Travel.
5. O’Carroll, Etain. Dazzling designs: top 10 cities for architecture lovers. Lonely Planet.
6. Travel Channel. World’s Top Architecture Cities.

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