I chose this building by Jean Nouvel because of two reasons. The first being the shape, I thought that is was interesting and different being a cylinder that narrowed at the top and overall looks like a rocket. The second being the colors. After doing some reading on the building, this building has lighting modules that work independently which allow the building to be place of entertainment during the holidays with its ability to change several colors rapidly.

It was opened in 2005 for a tech company there in Barcelona Space. This building includes an auditorium along with 30000~ meters of office face and another 20000~ meters for technical services, and parking.

The Villa Mairea was a project that Aalto worked on for Harry and Maire Gullichsen. It was meant to be a guest house and they gave Aalto complete freedom to experiment with any materials and ideas that he wanted. Not only did he deliver on making the house unique but he created a timeless piece of architecture that would stand the test of time. The interior has material changes that highlight the structure itself. He would meet one type of stone to another and then that stone would then meet glass. This had not really been done before and definitely not to this extent. Making a significant impact in the transition from traditional to modern architecture.

Not only was this one of, if not, the most famous of Aalto’s works but it really transformed architects and designers at the time. He changed their whole outlook on modern architecture and gave a different perspective when it came to materials and their way of changing a space. Something that ultimately changed the way all architects and designers use materials.

Mies van der Rohe was a German- American architect who believed strongly in the education of students. he taught at the Illinois institute of Technology, and ended up helping develop their curriculum. he believed they should have a more hands-on approach, where they can imagine, design and then carry out their ideas. He tended to push a modernism style, which was not widely accepted. His designs were very simple but also intriguing, as they all have motive and reason behind them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_Mies_van_der_Rohe

This is a work of Architect Mies van der Rohe, a German- American architect. I found this work to be very interesting because of how simple, yet how grand it is. It is symmetrical all the way around, and has glass walls and a beautiful steel overhang. Most of his work contained glass and steel elements, but this one is unique because we are able to see the steel framework on the outside. It makes it look very modern but very ornate as well. He wanted to emphasize flexibility, and made it to where there are only temporary displays, which can be seen from every angle outside of the building.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_Mies_van_der_Rohe

The St. Louis Arch is located in St. Louis, Missouri and was designed by American-Finnish architect, Eero Saarinen. The construction was completed in 1965, and is designated a national monument. The arch is 630 feet tall and is the tallest national monument in the United States. The arch symbolizes St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, posing as a “gateway” to the west. The cross-sections of steel are equilateral triangles. The arch is hollow to accommodate a tram system that allows visitors to ride to the top of the arch and stand on the viewing deck One struggle during construction was that the two sides did not meet in the middle near the end of construction. Additionally, an actuarial firm predicted that 13 workers would die during the construction of the arch, but thankfully, no workers died during the construction. The St. Louis Arch is a great example of the collaboration between engineers, mathematicians, and architects needed to create truly masterful structures.

Fuller’s ambition of the Fly’s Eye Dome is his invention of an affordable and portable home of the future. The building has windows and openings for to be able to put in solar panels and a system of water collection. Fuller was keen to making his buildings be self sufficient in as many ways as possible. The idea came to life in 1965, however, he only was able to hand build three prototypes before his death in 1983. With this mere prototype inspired by a fly’s eye a 12 ft, 24ft, and 50ft prototype were built and now are owned by various people and companies.

I wish the Fly’s Eye Dome would have been able to go further into development because I believe it is a great self sufficient home design that would be helpful in the world live in today. In a growing world of increasing energy sufficiency Fuller’s architectural ideals would have been a great model for the future. Maybe even his dome style of creativity would have been adopted to a more modern style in this time.