Modern Architectural Wonders
The April issue of Traveler magazine, published Condé Nast, has an article that picks the seven architectural wonders of the modern world. According to the article, “This year’s class of wondrous structures is responsible, variously, for transforming a neighborhood…revitalizing a landmark…and breaking all limits of what a building can be….” The seven architectural wonders are:
- Cumulus Building, Danfoss Universe (Nordborg, Denmark) – Designed by Berlin-based architect Jürgen Mayer H., this building is an exhibit hall that’s part of the Danfoss Universe science and technology museum. The unique contours of this building give it a striking silhouette.
- Burj Dubai (Dubai) – Chicago-based architect Adrian Smith designed this soon-to-be world’s tallest structure, which will measure 2,111 feet when finished. Smith made sure to incorporate regional design motifs and inspiration so that the building’s design would at least blend into the cityscape, size of the building notwithstanding.
- Wembley Stadium (London) – Pritzker-prize winning architect Sir Norman Foster was the lead architect on the redesign of London’s most famous stadium. He added about 9,000 seats and eliminated obstructed sight lines by using one massive support arch to brace the stadium’s retractable roof. All of this is in preparation for 2012 when London hosts the Olympics.
- New Museum (New York City) – Located in New York City’s Bowery district, the New Museum houses contemporary art from around the world. Designed by Japanese design team Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, the museum is seen as the standard for revitalizing this section of New York City.
- Kogod Courtyard, Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC) – The Smithsonian is one of DC’s most well-known buildings, and British architect Sir Norman Foster took a careful approach in redesigning this part of the Reynolds Center, which is home to the American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery.
- Red Ribbon, Tanghe River Park (Qinhuangdao, China) – The Beijing-based firm of Turenscape designed this park as a garden and “ecological oasis.” In particular, the Red Ribbon is a 1/3-mile red bench that snakes and curves its way through around one of the park’s trails. The bench “orients the visitor, gives a frame of reference for the garden, provides seating, and, after dark, sheds light from the fixtures embedded in the structure.”
Photo: Raymond Meier, Condé Nast Traveler
- Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto) – American architect Daniel Libeskind designed this at times controversial entryway to the Royal Ontario Museum. Dubbed “The Crystal” by museum leaders, the structure’s exterior walls are often covered in footprints by people trying to get a better look at this unique structure.
Photo: Raymond Meier, Condé Nast Traveler