Completed in 2008, the Luigi Bocconi University is situated in the heart of Milan. Similar to that of the Solstice Art Center and the University of Limerick Medical School, the Bocconi University features a limestone outer and has plenty of windows to allow sunlight to penetrate into the building. The building also features the familiar box-like shape, as if it were a puzzle.

Completed in 2013, the campus features several buildings built by McNamara’s firm, Grafton Architects, but the building above is the main piece. Made of limestone to represent the “formal” aspect of a medical school, the colonnade acts as a gathering space as well as entry points. Like other buildings and structures that have been made by Grafton Architects, the roof features several glass windows, to let sunlight in.

Completed in 2006 in Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland, this building is one of McNamara’s finest pieces of work. The theatre features an organically contoured floor of 320 seats, making for a more intimate and dynamic experience for the audience. When looking down on the structure, from a bird’s eye view, the roof has a very unique pattern. Each groove and cutout allows for more light to shine into the building.

Completed in 2015, in Lima, Peru the campus has been called the “new cliff” that continues the sea’s edge to the university’s ground. The campus structure does a good job of blending in with the surrounding structures, but also does an excellent job of standing out with its stacked and “cliff-like” build. The campus emphasizes being “involved in everyday life” as well as the “ethos of education”.

Christ Church Cathedral was founded and opened in 1893 in Downtown Houston. This was the church that my siblings and I were baptized in and the church that my parents were married in. Christ Church Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in the state of Texas and became the head of the diocese in 1949. Since I was a child, I have gone to church here almost every Sunday with my family so it has been a big part of my life.

Opened in 1928, the Bizzell Memorial Library is a five story library at OU. The building, in my opinion, completes the campus, and is sort of the centerpiece of it all. However, when it comes “the Biz”, I can’t say I have too many fond memories while being there. Most of my time at the library is spent completing long hours of school work or studying for upcoming exams. But at the same time, the library reminds me that hard work will eventually pay off, and is indeed worth it in the end.

Initially named, Reliant Stadium, NRG Stadium opened in 2002, in Southwest Houston in the same complex as the Astrodome. When it was built, it was the first-ever retractable roof football stadium. Even though I have been to many Texans games, my favorite event that I’ve attended at the stadium was Super Bowl LI. This game was played between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons and featured a classic Tom Brady fourth-quarter comeback to force overtime in which the Patriots would go on to win. Some say this is the greatest Super Bowl ever played and I’m proud to say that I was in attendance.

Opened in 2000, in downtown Houston, Texas, Minute Maid Park is my favorite sports stadium in the country. Throughout the years I have attended many Astros games here, in which they have both won and lost. Some of my earliest childhood memories involve being a Minute Maid Park and watching the Astros play; despite the outcome, I always remember having a good time and wanting to go back. During these strange times, this is one of the places that I wish I could go back to the most.