Located at the Olympic Green in the heart of Beijing, China is the Beijing National Stadium. Herzog and de Meuron designed the stadium in 2003, and it was complete in 2007. The stadium is nicknamed “The Birds Nest ” because the steel beams that hold the structure up look like twigs on a bird’s nest. The design was originated from the study of Chinese Ceramics and used steel beams to hide supports for the retractable roof. Herzog and de Meuron designed this stadium similar to their Allianz Arena in Germany, but with a focus on Chinese Culture. That is what impressed me about this work. It was built to display Chinese Culture to the entire world. This stadium might not be getting as much use as it did in 2008, but still serves as a reminder of the importance ceramics play in Chinese life.

Located in Hamburg, Germany is the Elbphilharmonie Philharmonic Hall. The first foundation stone was laid in 2007, and completion of the project came in 2017. Currently, the Elbphilharmonie is one of the largest and acoustically advanced philharmonic halls in the world. The building resembles a large ship at sea. The glass mimics the look of a sail blowing in the wind, while the lower section represents the hull. I love this structure personally because I was able to figure out the deeper meaning behind its design before doing research. The building gives off the message that ship life has played a significant role in the livelihood of people of Hamburg for many years. The Elbphilharmonie is a building that not only hosts concerts but also makes it clear that Hamburg is a city proud of its harbor.

Located in Miami, Florida, is one of the different parking garages you may ever find. Construction began on the garage in 2008 and opened in 2010. Herzog and de Meuron designed the building to resemble a house of cards. Because of this, the structure has an open-air design, supported by buttresses and cantilevers. This building impacted me personally because it took a parking garage, which is typically a boring structure, and turned it into a work of art. 1111 Lincoln Road is a work of art, and the architects behind it are artists at their core. 1111 Lincoln Road is one of many Herzog and de Meuron projects that more than met people’s expectations.

Located in Munich, Germany is one of the most beautiful soccer stadiums in the whole world. The Allianz Arena was built for Bayern Munich, the largest soccer team in Germany. Construction began in 2002 and was open for the public in 2005. The stadium is stunning to see during the day, but the lights that illuminate the structure after sundown take it to a whole new level. Seventy-five thousand fans fill the arena, and the design of the stadium gives it one of the unique sports atmospheres in the world. You can be in the worst seat in the stadium and still feel apart of the game. The stadium was indeed the first of it’s kind, and many other new arenas have adopted the concept. I’ve never been to the stadium, but it’s on my bucket list.

Located in Hocking Hills, Ohio, is one of my favorite houses in the world, the Box Hop House. This house was built using three shipping containers and converting them into a home. The house is on 18.5 acres of shaded woods that blend in with the house colors beautifully. The house contains three bedrooms and two full bathrooms, a full kitchen, and many other amenities. I have never personally been to the Box Hop House, but I’ve seen enough videos on it to get an idea of what it would be like to stay there. When I saw the house on video for the first time, I thought it was a dream. The staggered layout of the containers gives the house a unique yet beautiful aesthetic—no wonder this house isn’t available on Airbnb until September 2021. The Box Hop House is what initially got me into building homes from recycled/reused materials. Houses such as this inspire me not only to live differently but also to help towards a greener future. I may not build a house from shipping containers, but I’ll still attempt to think outside the box.

Located deep within New York City is the Central Park Tower. The Central Park Tower is a unique building because it’s currently the tallest residential building in the world. Construction began in 2014, and the building topped off in 2019. It’s projected to be complete sometime later this year. The tower is 1,550 feet tall, has 131 floors, and 11 elevators. 50,000 sq. ft of amenities will fill the tower, giving the residents plenty to do without having to leave. This building, to me, shows that humans are always finding new ways to test their limits in all regards. In 50 years, this same residential tower may be considered average height for all we know. When I saw the Central Park Tower for the first time last year, I never would’ve guessed the tower was for residential purposes. The one downside to the Central Park Tower is that only the elite can afford it. Apartment prices range from 6.9 million to 63 million. That’s NYC for you. Hopefully, I can soon go back to the Central Park Tower and see the finished interior someday.

When one drives through downtown Oklahoma City, it’s almost impossible to miss out on the sight of the Devon Tower. The structure broke ground in 2009 and completed in 2012. The tower is mainly used as a headquarter for Devon Energy Company but also has a restaurant located near the top. To me, the Devon Tower symbolizes the beginning of Oklahoma City’s rebirth. The tower is completely unique compared to all those that surround it in both design and size. An abundance of glass windows was definitely a priority when Pickard Chilton designed the building. I still encounter this skyscraper quite often and the first thing that always comes to my head is all the great redevelopment that followed.

I first visited the Lloyd Wright Home in Studio in 2015. The house is located in Chicago, Illinois on Oak Park Street. The house is currently a museum and visitors can get a tour through it most of the year. This was the first Lloyd Wright house I went to and it left a lasting effect on me. His architecture style is effective at not only making beautiful homes, but homes that also blend in with their surrounding environment. This is very clearly seen at his house on Oak Park Street. The home and studio seen above was also way before it’s time, built in 1909. I became obsessed with his style of architecture shortly afterwards and wanted to learn as much as I could about him. The house seen on Oak Park Street is a perfect example of a house that will never go out of style.