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2018 saw a year full of architectural marvels. Architecture is more than just planning a building. Architecture is an art form. It is an expression of the wonders you can achieve using the same building materials as everyone else. It is an expression of individuality, personality, and class. In the US alone, there were a number of impressive architectural designs last year. Many of them caught the public eye. You can find most of these wonders as easily as searching for Optimum near me on Google. But for the lazy ones among you, this blog brings 5 of the best together.
Top 5 Architectural Designs in the USA in 2018
There were some stunning pieces of architecture unveiled during 2018. From Amazon’s Spheres in Seattle to the late Zaha Hadid’s condos in New York, the list is impressive. This made it even harder for us to curate the best designs to watch out for this year. However, we feel we have done a commendable job of narrowing that list down. Here are 5 architectural designs to watch out for this year:
- The Spheres, Seattle
- Peconic House, Long Island
- McDonald’s Flagship, Chicago
- 520 West 28th, New York City
- The Pavilions, Maryland
Below follows a closer look at these marvels of modern architecture.
The Spheres, Seattle
The Spheres by NBBJ are part of Amazon’s mammoth headquarters in Seattle. Spheres are three domes filled with greenery, flowers, and nature. They aim to be both work areas for Amazon employees as well as spaces for the public. The Spheres structure consists of more than 600 tons of steel and glass panels. The domes connect to each other and maintain a temperature-controlled environment indoors. The green spaces inside the Spheres earned the nickname “cloud forests”. Viewed from afar, the Spheres look like a terraformed space habitation. Some even describe it as a spaceship. Amazon aims to help employees manage stress and perform better. Way to go green with these inclusive green spaces.
Peconic House, Long Island
The 4,000 square-foot Peconic House overlooks the picturesque Peconic Bay, Long Island. The residence is exactly what you want your hillside house to look like. The house has a grassy roof and wooden cladding that make it appear like a part of the hillside itself. The structure also features a stepped terrace. This offers a view that overlooks an infinity pool and the bay itself. The lush lawns complement the grassy roof of the residence itself. The untreated exterior offers a rugged, weathered look. It appeals to most visitors almost instantly. Architectural firm Map from New York is the brains behind this amazing structure.
McDonald’s Flagship, Chicago
If you’re used to the Rock n Roll McDonald’s flagship restaurant in Chicago, you’re in for a surprise. The fast-food giant has let go of the previous building in favor of an iconic architectural wonder. The new flagship restaurant is like nothing you’d expect from McDonald’s. Designed by Ross Barney Architects, the structure consists primarily of steel and timber. But it focuses on sustainable functionality as well. It has a solar-panel array similar to many Apple stores. The interior is warm with smooth wooden textures and open dining spaces. Drop-in for a cheeseburger the next time you’re in Chicago.
520 West 28th, New York City
520 West 28th is Zaha Hadid’s only architectural structure in New York City. The mastermind behind the project was none other than the late Zaha Hadid. The impressive structure contains 39 private residences. In fact, they are better described as stellar luxury condos. The building has a penthouse worth a cool $50 million along with its 11 floors of luxurious living space. The curved building is a captivating affair of steel and glazing. Zaha Hadid Architects’ 520 West 28th overlooks the upscale Chelsea High Line park.
The Pavilions, Maryland
The Pavilions are a minimalist addition to Glenstone Museum in Maryland. Designed by Thomas Phifer Partners, the Pavilions are a series of concrete boxes around a placid pond. The boxes house art galleries that allow visitors to view some of the more striking works of art. The Pavilions are part of the rolling landscape. They offer over 50,000 square feet of exhibition space to the museum. The Glenstone Museum is a privately owned institution. It is famous for its stunning collection of post-war art.
There are many more wonders to see in the US. This year saw the completion of many other impressive structures like Silvernails House, Animo South High School LA, and Sackett Hill House. Hopefully, the ones we listed met your desire for aesthetics and creativity. Stay tuned to this blog for more architecture-related updates and news.
