5 Timeless Buildings For Architectural Inspiration In 2017

We live in an amazing world. Every day, someone, somewhere, does something inspirational. Art, science, technology and literature — everything is driving forward at an exponential rate. A bright new idea or a creative concept seems to be around every corner.

And architecture is no exception. There are millions of unique and interesting buildings which are born from an ever changing spark of creativity and inspiration.

Like other mediums, architecture has always grown to reflect the world around it. Some architecture is inspired by nature. Some are inspired by the prevailing political or cultural climate. Other trends are a much-needed evolution as a result of transformative world events, like the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on construction trends in 2021.

Unique building designs have always been a part of cultures around the world

Records show that humans have been interested in the way buildings are designed and built since before the Romans. The Stonehenge to the Colosseum, the Parthenon and beyond, the thirst for unique and fascinating designs are hard-wired into our very being.

And now, in the 21st century, architecture design continues to shift and grow to amazing new places. Finding inspiration isn’t difficult. Use these examples to help you get the creative ball rolling.

1. The Beijing National Stadium. AKA ‘The Birds Nest’

The Beijing National Stadium, also known as The Bird’s Nest, was the focal point of the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Built by an international team including Herzog & de Meuron and artist Ai Weiwei, the astounding architecture was inspired by nature and one of the oldest structures in the world — the enduring bird’s nest.

2. The Dr Chau Chak Wing building

The Dr Chau Chak Wing building, located at the University of Technology Sydney, was designed by renowned Canadian Architect Frank Gehry. The facade resembles a crumpled, brown paper shopping bag, and almost looks as though the building itself is collapsing. Comprised of more than 320,000 custom designed bricks, the 12 story tower was opened in 2015.

3. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Frank Gehry has built a career on interesting buildings. Aside from his work on the ‘Brown Bag’ building, he’s completed the stunning structure of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain.

Opened in 1997 by Juan Carlos 1 of Spain, the interesting design, glass titanium and limestone marks a pivotal moment in modern architecture, where critics, academics and the general public alike all agree on the importance of the work. 

4. Kiefer Technic Showroom

Our current cultural and environmental climate is inspiring design. Faced with the challenges that a zero emissions target presents, architects are becoming more focused on smart building design.

The Kiefer Technic Showroom by Ernst Giselbrecht + Partner is an office building that can dynamically adapt to the prevailing climate conditions, shifting its exterior accordingly to save on heating and cooling costs.

Built on a shell of solid brick walls with reinforced concrete ceilings, floors and steel encased concrete columns, the facade consists of white aluminium panels that open or closed depending on the weather.

5. Bell-lloc Winery

But it’s not all about what’s on the outside when it comes to cool building designs. The Amazing Interior design of the Bell-lloc Winery in Spain has helped propel its designers, Aranda, Pigem and Vilalta, on to award winning glory.

The building acts as a promenade around the winery, linking chambers filled with air, rain and open spaces, and houses different wine-making equipment, storage areas and tasting rooms.

The work has won the architecture firm of RCR the inaugural Pritzker Prize of 2017, architecture's most prestigious award.

Join us at DesignBUILD Expo for more inspiration

So if you’re looking for more smart building examples, cool building designs or interesting buildings, join us at the event that brings together the leaders of architecture, building, construction and design.

Explore more than 700 of the latest products, designs and thinking from Australia’s to suppliers to gain an insight into industry trends, for both today and tomorrow. Click the image below and register using the cod "INVITE" to get free access.
 


To find out more about Latham products, please visit www.latham-australia.com. To talk to a Latham product expert, call 1300 LATHAM (528 426) or email sales@latham-australia.com.