Modern Buildings that Push The Limits

Posted by Guest Contributor on Aug 4, 2012 in WOW! | 1 comment

The author, Anum Pasha, is currently an Undergraduate student at LUMS, studying Political Science. An avid reader, with an acute interest in current affairs, she blogs about her latest interests and findings.

Here’s a look at some of Europe’s most remarkable and iconic pieces of modern architecture. Gone are the days of concrete and conventional structures, architects have surely been thinking outside the box, not only while creating the designs of these surreal structures, but also while determining the construction material. From shopping malls to hotels to offices, these buildings are definitely quite something!

Metrepol Parasol

Seville, Spain

This waffle-like crown structure boasts to be the largest wooden structure in the world with an approximate height of 85 ft! Located at Plaza de la Encarnacion, in the old quarters of Seville, the stunning sequence of undulating parasols were designed by Jurgen Mayer-Hermann in hope that it would become the new icon for Seville, a place of identification and to articulate Seville’s role as one of the world´s most fascinating cultural destinations.

The locals refer to the building as ‘Las Setas de la Encarnación’ (Encarnación’s mushrooms). The Metrepol Parasol has been designed on four levels; the underground level houses Roman and Moorish remains which were found on-site, while the higher levels offer some of the best views of the city.

Orange Cube

Lyon, France

This exceptionally neon orange cube on the banks of the Saône River in Lyon, France may look like a giant-sized toy, but in actuality it is a private building housing many offices. It was designed in order to showcase the unusual architecture and design and bring new life to the docks of the river. A huge hole cut through the orthogonal, 7-story building helps open up its center to allow for daylight, scenic views and natural ventilation.

Designed by Paris-based Jakob + Macfarlane, Le Cube Orange is also energy efficient and relies on a water-based geothermal heat pump and photovoltaic panels on the roof to supply energy to the entire building.

Dancing House

Prague, Czech Republic

A dancing house may sound absurd and unbelievable, but that’s exactly what Croatian-born Czech architect Vlado Milunic and Canadian architect Frank Gehry designed this building to look like. Located alongside the Vltava River, the building stands out a mile amongst the more historic attractions of Prague.

The building is an example of deconstructivist architecture with an incredibly unusual shape: you can actually see a couple – woman and man dancing together, holding their hands, with a skirt that sways to the music! The structure is also called Ginger and Fred, in reference to Ginger Rogers and Fred Alastair – the legendary dancing duo.

Hotel Marques de Riscal

Elciego, Spain

The Marques de Riscal, previously a winery, was transformed into a stunning City of Wine complex consisting of 43 rooms, a restaurant and a spa by Frank Gehry, a Canadian American architect. This boutique hotel was commissioned by the winery in order to promote the famous wines of the region. And it is this very region and its wines which inspired the architect to create this unique, complex building which consists of 43 rooms, a restaurant and a spa.

Frank Gehry incorporated panels of pink titanium in the exterior of the building in order to represent the rosy tints of the Rioja skies; while the panels of mirror finish stainless steel and gold mesh are distinct aspects of Marques de Riscal’s wine bottles.