Every day we wake up and walk outside, we find ourselves surrounded by buildings. To us, they come off as nothing more than industrial structures, but underneath all the steel and metal is a work of art sculpted by an artist. These monumental buildings we take for granted every day are much more than the businesses and organizations that are held within them.
The art of architecture is an age-old process that is continuously evolving and changing. With its developments comes more advanced structures that leave us in awe and steal our attention. Think of the Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower, even the Hoover Dam is a stunning work of architecture. But like any art form, some structures are masterpieces while others fall below expectations. Here are some structures that will defy the test of time.
Financing With Style: The Awe-Inspiring Taipei 101
True to its name, the Taipei 101 is a 101 storied skyscraper with an additional five floors located underneath the surface. Crafted with a tasteful urban design, the Taipei 101 is the tallest building in Taiwan and was the tallest building in the world from 2004 to 2010. While construction began in 1999, the building wasn’t completed until 2004. Located at the southern end of the Xinyi District, the Taipei 101 was designed by C.Y Lee and Partners. The towering structure is a recognized symbol of Taipei city that brings in thousands of tourists every day.
A designated tourist attraction, the Taipei 101 offers a breathtaking fireworks show every New Year’s Eve. This impressive show attracts people from all over the world, especially within neighboring countries like Japan and Singapore. The building is an international financial office that is clocked in as the tenth highest building in the world.
A Monument Cemented In Time: The Rich And Complex History Of The Taj Mahal
Deep within the confines of India rests the immaculate Taj Mahal. A prominent religious structure, the Taj Mahal was built from 1632 to 1653 by the infamous architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. Millions of tourists flock to the structure from all over the world, an estimated eight million visiting the attraction in 2014. The building is regarded as a prominent example of Mughal architecture and is a universal symbol of India’s history and background.
Warranted by Shah Jaran in 1631 in honor of his late wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal has been cemented as a prominent monument in India. The building holds Mumtaz’s tomb and is surrounded by a mosque and a guest house. Mumtaz’s tomb has not been tailored or altered to this very day.
Vacationing With Luxury: The World’s Finest Hotel
Clocking in at 56 floors with 3 located below ground, the Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel centered in the city of Dubai. The hotel stands on an artificial island that is connected to the mainland by a curved bridge. The shape of the structure is designed to look like the sail of a ship or boat. Located on the top of the hotel is a helipad.
Construction on the structure began in 1994 and was not completed until five years later, in 1999. The hotel’s estimated cost is just short of one billion dollars, making it one of the most expensive buildings in the world.
