Mike Pullin
This building is the Blavatnik School of Government located at the University of Oxford in England. The design was done to enhance open space and collaboration. I really like the interesting different sizes of curved levels sitting atop a more linear level. It makes what could be a simple and boring structure very interesting and quickly draws your eye in and sparks curiosity. I think it’s a very interesting building that adds a uniqueness to Oxford’s campus.
Mike Pullin
This is the Elbphilharmonie, a concert hall in Germany. The hall was opened in 2017 and is said to have some of the very best acoustics in existence. The whole structure is fascinating, with the interesting lines of the glass forming a unique flow that you can’t help but be intrigued by. The entire structure is designed for an acoustic effect. From over 1,000 curved windows to every inside detail meticulously accounted for, it’s a considerable feat of design.
Mike Pullin
This is another one of their unique designs. This is ’56 Leonard’, named after its address in Manhattan, NY. Aside from the obvious different puzzle like appearance of the tall skyscraper, another major difference is how it is a little skinnier and not the standard rectangular form in comparison to many other traditional skyscrapers. It is even recognized by its jenga-like block look where some of the upper floors are offset giving it such a unique look.
Mike Pullin
Herzog and De Meuron is a Swiss firm started in 1978. They have completed buildings that include small residential homes all the way to internationally recognized unique structures. Seen in this photo is the iconic ‘Bird’s Nest’ National Stadium in China that hosted the 2008 Olympic Games. The unique design has fascinating features both inside and out that make this such a cool building. Much of the inspiration that went into it was from nature. While originally designed to have a roof, that was eventually abandoned and the finished design is recognized all over the world.
Mike Pullin
So one of the fun things about the cathedral is how recognizable it is to people of all ages, wether you’ve been there or not. One of the first times I showed some of the pictures of my visit to my kids when they were little the response was priceless, and it turns out a common theme about this building. The first thing they said was ‘ wow it’s an ice cream cone building!’ . So from that point on that’s what we called it until they got older. As it turns out it’s somewhat common for people to reference the cathedral like that. It always fascinates me how architecture can influence your life, and it doesn’t always have to be some grand ‘wow’ moment, it’s all the little moments that you share with friends or family and the architecture provides the backdrop.
Mike Pullin
In this picture you can get a small idea of the proximity of the cathedral to the Kremlin. Being right at the heart of Red Square with all of the history that occurred there just made the moment even more substantial . With all of the changes that were happening in the world at the time we were acutely aware of the significance of our being there after our two countries had experienced decades of the Cold War. The friendships I made there are some of the best I’ve had in my life. That’s a major reason why this building is so special to me.
Mike Pullin
What’s cool is that we had been in Russia for about two weeks before we ever even made it over to Red Square to check it out. Being able to meet a ton of great people from all over the world was a great experience that I still carry with me today. One of the great things about the structure is the amount of detail throughout it all. The variety of shapes and colors are just the first layer of intricate designs that cover the outside. As you go inside, even though many areas are quite small and tight, it’s fascinating to see the artwork. This is one of those buildings that every time I see a picture of it every memory of that time comes back.
Mike Pullin
Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow is a true work of beauty. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit Moscow in 1992 with a number of friends. The cathedral is located in Red Square which provides an interesting back drop to say the least. While there is always a lot of history both good and bad that is usually associated with old cathedrals or buildings, the most important thing about this structure for me is the time in my life that it represents. The Soviet Union had just recently collapsed and at the time it seemed like a lot of new possibilities were just on the horizon. The opportunity to travel there was out of left field but I took the leap of faith and it made a large difference in my life. The friendships and life lessons that I gained from that trip have been with me my entire life. The cathedral itself is amazing and we were lucky enough to tour the inside. It became sort of an unofficial symbol of our trip. If you ever get the chance I highly recommend it.
