There are many buildings around the world that are renowned for their height or sheer size. But some are truly architectural beauties. Let's take a look at the world's most glamorous buildings, whose strengths lie in their glitz and glamour.
10. Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo
Glitz and beauty are ingrained into the fabric of little Monaco. And one of its finest jewels is the Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo, founded in 1864. As its founder, François Blanc, envisioned, it became "a hotel that surpasses all that has been created.".
In 2014, the iconic Monaco property closed to undergo an intensive four-year transformation and emerge even more beautiful.
This palace-style hotel adjoins the Casino and Opera House and boasts the best location in Monaco for watching the F1 Grand Prix. Celebrities such as Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, and Roger Moore have all stayed there. Current regulars at the Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo include Lady Gaga, Naomi Campbell, and Julia Roberts.
9. Blue Planet Aquarium«
This is perhaps the most stunning aquarium on the planet. Its shape resembles swirling silver whirlpools. The idea was conceived by the architects at 3XN, who wanted to draw viewers into a magical underwater world.
The Blue Planet area includes 53 aquariums, several children's areas, a tropical zone, and a marine area where you can admire sea lions.
8. Hutong Restaurant London Bridge & Bermondsey
One of the most beautiful restaurants in the world is renowned for both its appearance and its superb Chinese cuisine. It is beautifully decorated to create the feeling of being in a dream palace.
Reservations for the restaurant are required at least two months in advance, due to its popularity. Thanks to its prime location in the Shard skyscraper, Hutong offers stunning views of the British capital.
7. Emporia Shopping Center
Scandinavia's most beautiful shopping center consists of three floors with a rooftop terrace covering 27,000 square meters, equivalent to approximately four football fields. Its interior is uniquely and beautifully designed, including a spiral staircase with hanging gardens.
From the outside, Emporia is a true work of architectural art. Its gleaming façade, creating the impression that the building is collapsing inward, immediately draws attention, making it impossible to pass by. Around 25,000 people visit the shopping center daily.
6. Shimao Shenkeng Hotel
This is the most unusual structure in the top 10 most glamorous buildings. Unlike other buildings, which are firmly planted on the surface, this luxury hotel, commissioned by eccentric billionaire Xu Rongmao, is located in a giant pit. This "architectural madness" was designed by Martin Yorkman, and the project was built by the British firm Atkins.
The Shimao Shenkeng Hotel is considered one of the world's top ten architectural wonders, and deservedly so. It's not every day you see an 18-story building descending 88 meters underground. However, two floors are above ground level, while the remaining 16 are below.
A striking feature of the hotel is the 80-meter glass waterfall wall, which divides the building into two parts. Through it, you can see the cliffs opposite, but rotated 180 degrees.
5. International Conference Center
The striking building, resembling an alien spaceship, was designed by the Australian architectural firm Coop Himmelb(l)au. The creators believe its urban design reflects Dalian's promising modern future and its traditions of trade, industry, and tourism.
Despite its name, the center includes not only conference halls, but also a theater, a 1,600-seat opera house, and an exhibition center.
4. Heydar Aliyev Center
This cultural center intelligently and wonderfully conveys the rich Azerbaijani culture. It harmoniously combines business offices with the Heydar Aliyev Museum, exhibition halls, and an auditorium.
In 2014, the Centre received the Design of the Year award as the best building of the year.
3. Skolkovo Business School Campus«
While Silicon Valley may not be spoiling us with high-profile innovative projects, it does at least impress with the appearance of its business school. It is one of the most beautiful and unusual not only in Russia but in the entire world.
The campus design was created by British architect David Adjaye, who was inspired by Malevich's painting "Suprematism." As a tribute to his African roots, Adjaye decorated the building with Tanzanian motifs.
2. Terminal 3 of Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
This magnificent structure is a marvel of engineering by Italian architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas. They designed their creation to resemble a manta ray, a gigantic stingray. Locals have nicknamed the terminal "the giant flying fish.".
The complex mesh structure of the roof creates a snakeskin effect and allows more light to enter, reducing energy costs. Another interesting feature of the terminal's decor is the ventilation system's exhaust pipes, which are designed to resemble tree trunks.
Work on the terminal is still ongoing and will not be fully completed until 2035.
1. Molecular Institute "La Trobe"«
The structure of this unusual-looking building was designed by Australian firm Lyons Architects. It is hexagonal in shape and six stories high. Its walls are made of precast reinforced concrete, and honeycomb-like upper and lower windows enhance the natural light penetration into the spaces.
The architects' choice of this cellular-like façade was no accident. It symbolizes the idea to which the institute's entire work is dedicated.