The Parthenon, Greece.  I was totally awed by its beauty.

Wow. I'd love to see that.

Ugh how in earth do I put a picture in!

check out this "underwater" restaurant in the Maldives. I have never been there. I just came across this when looking for architecture that I think is cool. There are all kinds of old buildings I like, and some neat new ones too.

http://tripandtravelblog.com/the-strangest-restaurants-in-the-world/

I also like some of the Victorian style architecture in San Fransisco. Here's an old warehouse turned into a home. I like the idea of re-purposed buildings converted into homes. I don't know if I'd feel at home here...I'm not sure it would be "cosy"...but it is really cool. I could probably handle a visit. ;)

http://trendland.com/trendhome-warehouse-loft-in-soma-san-francisco/#

I'm just pasting links because I'm not sure if it's okay to paste the photos, but I find this to be absolutely stunningly beautiful.

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Italy/Liguria/La_Spezia/manarola/photo1350277.htm

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Italy/Liguria/La_Spezia/manarola/photo1323106.htm

Wow, there are so many buildings I like. I don't have one favourite style. I really like those that incorporate nature as well. I am not huge fan of everything Frank Lloyd Wrigth designed, but I think this one is stunning and ahead of it's time. Hard to believe, from both the outside and the interior design, that it was built in the 30's. It looks very "current".

I'm having fun with this :)

this outside of this home isn't eaclty pretty, but I think the inside is quite beautiful.

Elanor...you created a monster...lol.  I can't look at exterior architecture without looking at interiors too. I've been looking online for hours! Drooling over homes I will never live in...sigh.  I think a NY brownstone style place, a funky mix of old and new would be my dream home. Not that this is about dream homes...maybe that deserves a new thread.

I'll have to think a bit and will probably have more to add, but this is favorite that comes immediately to mind. It's the Temple of Heaven in Beijing where the emperors of the Ming and Qinq dynasties performed spring sacrifices and such like rituals. Think of it as the Chinese Parthenon, if you like.

And that tower? It's all wood. The platform is stone, but the tower itself is made of wood.

Mendalla

Another beauty from China, this time Xi'an. The Drum Tower (and it's mate the Bell Tower) dominate the downtown area of the city, which is one of the oldest in China (it was the capital of the empire from the beginning of the first emperor's reign in 220 BCE until the Mongols took over in the 13th century CE, when the capital moved to the site of modern Beijing for the first time.

And that McDonald's in the foreground? I ate there several times on my last visit to Xi'an in 2010 (they actually have a decent breakfast and serve some Chinese fare in addition to the usual Mickey D's stuff). In fact, I can tell by the angle that this pic was taken from in front of (or close to the front of) the hotel where we stayed. It's not mine, though. From Wikimedia.

Mendalla

Fallingwater was one of my favs, having been taken there on a school trip in high school.

I always wanted a wedding on the grounds of Fonthill in Doylestown, Pa. It is an amazing "castle" and museum.

Neat underwater restaurant. That would be fun! That ware"house" is really something. ANd the Italian hillside homes is neat isn't it. My mom visited there a couple years ago. I'm curretnly loading the videos to check out. Glad I inspired you! That brownstone is looking pretty nice so far! Dig the groovy vibes eh!

Mendalla, We just watched a travel show to China and they visited the Temple of Heaven. Neat place, great picture. And there's a BC musician called Drum and Bell Tower, he named his musical act after the place in Xi'an after visiting it. I have 2 of his cd's!

Bethany, I just copy and paste, but if that doesn't work on your computer, just post a link. : )

Fonthill Castle is really neat. I just looked it up.

Actually, I know about him because of you! I found some of his music through you liking it on Youtube.

Nice castle, too. I much prefer older, more medieval castles to the later palaces like Buckingham.

But my favorite European castle has to be Neuchwanstein in Bavaria. Yes, it's 19th century and rather overblown, but what do expect from someone nicknamed "Mad King Ludwig"?

Mendalla

Neuschwanstein is lovely, thanks for posting that. I thought of it also.

Here's one I like! George Harrison's Friar Park! Also Victorian, and quite quirky.

And here's it's groovy gatehouse!

Which reminds me of:

The Iron age House at the Chiltern Open Air Museum which I love.

And I love:

Stag End (17th c) at Ryedale folk Museum:

And Harome Cottage (19th c) there too:

Minus the old lady!

Though actually, she does look like pleasant company!

And I love Haddon Hall, in Derbyshire, begun in medieval times and expanded over the next few hundred years. It was so special to visit there, not only because I had had a significant dream in a place very much like it years before, and therefore it felt so familiar, but because I love Derbyshire, and it's just so evocative. The recent Jane Eyre movie was filmed there. It felt so good to see it again. This is a colourized old photo, but nice and sharp, and wide angled, better than other pics.

This is the entrance to the main house, at the far end of the interior flagstone courtyard:

I looked at Haddon longingly from the opposite hillside, during our walk, just last May... sigh...

And here's an interior shot:

I love the great houses and would work to protect them if I lived in England, maybe volunteering, certainly through joining the National Trust. It saddens me to see them crumbling through neglect and lack of funding.

I also love the old Norwegian style of log building. True masters of the craft, the details! The skill! Passed on and perfected generation after generation. Crafted to become stronger as time went on, still beautifull and strong hundreds of years later.

And the Swiss ones, and the stave churches...

They built it with teh wood going upright to mimic the trees of the forest, the first churches. I love that.

I like the ancient and exotic buildings too of course. They're fascinating. The pyramids in egypt are intriguing (never been).  I guess I was on a more modern trajectory last night when thinking about architecture.

some of the world's weirdest buildings by architect Frank Gehry:

http://www.google.ca/search?q=frank+gehry+building+photos&hl=en&qscrl=1&nord=1&rlz=1T4ADBF_enCA269CA270&prmd=imvnso&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=QMCHT9CrG-apiALI6u3xCg&ved=0CCMQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=630

These are really quite cool

https://www.google.ca/search?q=forestiere+underground+gardens+photos&hl=en&rlz=1T4ADBF_enCA269CA270&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=6MaHT-LtOIGZiALLyojQCw&ved=0CEIQsAQ

sorry, I don't know why the links extend out of the white space like that.

Here's a really unique home. Not sure it's for me, but it's definately one of a kind:

Here's an architect-artist from Washington State who builds some very interesting homes!

http://www.sunraykelley.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=69&Itemid=112

Wow, the Frank Ghery stuff is weird!! Neat gardens... they remind me of those underground homes in Turkey... and I'm remided of those ancient (Anastazi?) cliff dwelligns in south America...can't remember the name right now. Then there's Petra, that's cool. Those Youtube clips look reallly neat. I've seen pics of some pretty awesome treehouses in my day too, from Tudor ones to amazing new ones. I'm really interested to see the modern stuff too. I didn't want to shape the thread too early with my own choices. : )

And something from the fantasy realm: the flets of the elves of Lothlorien, and Rivendel both really impress me, as did the sets built for the films.

Those sunray ones are neet. You've got some great links Kim! I like some of the new eco styles like cob and strawbale, particularily if they look folky. : )

Love the Woodsman's Cottage!! Dream home material that!

ANd that cave is awesome! It feels so ancestral...

some places i want to visit before i die

ethiopia has some really nifty ancient churches

the famous Winchester Mystery House, where Sarah Winchester never stopped building...

(Stephen King did a TV special based on this place...called Rose Red I believe...paranormal investigators investigate the most haunted place in the USA...and soon wish they hadn't...)

any house with creaky wooden stairs, a sloped roof attic with those side rooms under the eaves and secret doors is my favourite building

The Taj Mahal

Angkor Wat

One of the greatest of humanity's creations, the Amazon Rainforest

(similar to the human-constructed 'old growth forests' in N America, we humans did an amazing job of engineering this place in such nutrient poor soil...I'd especially love to see the black soil that is very nutrient rich and 'grows' by itself if left alone -- people are actually selling it it is so good...)

Gopekli Tepi

(which came first, farming or religion?)

Hobbiton Skara Brae

...

Ahhh Riven~delllll~~~

Keep 'em coming folks! Let's see some more buildings you like!

Thanks Inanna, posting at the same time. That church in Ethiopia would be quite the treat and priviledge to see. Don't they say they keep the ark of the covenant in there? Like, nobody's ever gonna go in there!

Skara Brae is just as much a treat to see. I was there in '96, it's really neat, to put it mildly.

Gobekli Tepi!! Right on!! We only first heard about that recently. Whoa! What a cool mystery! Gotta find out more about it. Those are all pretty neat places.

The Basilica and Expiatory Church of La Sagrada Familia (La Sagrada Familia for short) in Barcelona, Spain was designed by Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi and is still incomplete (he died in 1926 and they are now expecting completion for the centennial of his death).

A couple angles from Wikimedia:

The Nativity facade:

.

The Passion facade:

One of my favorite modern buildings and favorite churches. Now I just need to go Barcelona to actually visit it .

Most interesting factoid: this is funded by neither the city nor the Roman Catholic church (though J-P II did consecrate it as a minor basilica). It was started by private donations and is now largely funded by admission fees charged to tourists.

Mendalla

Wow! These are beautiful.

alike minds think great

that church in the image, get this, was HEWN FROM THE SURROUNDING LAVA ROCK.  can men get obsessed or what? :3

the place where the Ark of the Covenant is rumoured to be is in Auxum, Ethiopia.  Here is what the building looks like (no need to cover your eyes from the flesh-melting gaze of Deity)

There is an ironic/sad thing happening.  The building is old and has leaks.  The Ark needs to be moved or it will suffer water damage.  But it can't be moved because the only person who is allowed to see it at all is A VERY OLD AND FRAIL MAN.  Maybe Penn & Teller can arrange something? :3

There are some beautiful buildings in Prague:

http://www.galenfrysinger.com/prague.htm

Some buildings in Cuba look really beuatiful, but sadly in disrepair

http://www.pbase.com/will49/havana_cuba

I'd also like to one day visit New Orleans...the old french quarter buildings are neat.

Havana has the potential to be a gorgeous city. We were there in December and some of the old Spanish and European style buildings are beautiful. Just need some cleaning up and repair which US tourist dollars would bring in spades if the US ever opens up to Cuba.

And I'll second the French Quarter. I have been there and I'm going back next year (my annual conference in the US South that I've discussed in other threads).

Mendalla

the first time i ever heard this music was in Clint Eastwood's move, "Perfect World" -- when I heard it, it spooked me because it was something I had never heard before...

I'd really like to go to Iceland someday too. Most of the architcture isn't fancy (except for the Hallgrímskirkja   church), and despite the cold, it looks like a "warm" place. I love how it's cheered up with brightly coloured buildings. This is someone's travel blog:

http://www.dangerous-business.com/2012/03/photo-essay-around-reykjavik/

Another La Sagrada factoid:

I first learned about the place because Alan Parson's Project put out an album called Gaudi (after the architect of the church) and the first track was an epic piece of prog rock called "La Sagrada Familia". The video for the song below includes some more shots of the church in a slideshow.

Mendalla

Gyeongbok Palace, Seoul, South Korea

Crikey Mendalla, that Segrada Familia church is something else! I like it!

Ah Thanks Inanna. That looks familiar. Maybe they could like, cover it with a tarp or something while the workmen fix the roof! Yeah I remember that about the hewn from bedrock. Amazing, like Petra.

Ooo Prague! I had a friend who visited there and sent photos. That would be a great place to visit.  Cheep too if I remember right... Those cemetary pics are creeeepy!

As I was lookig through my "Craft of Log Building" book, I came across pictures of Transylvanian folk buildings with the big tall roofs. Those are neat too. And very fitting for my reading of Dracula at present~

Wow, so much to see in the world.

One day I want to explore Bavaria, Austria and Switzerland...

and Sweden and Denmark....and the Balkans...

Here's a shot of Barkerville right here in BC:

I've been there at least 4 times...I love the tightly packed old buildings, their smell, the sound of wooden floors creeking as my footsteps fall on them, the small rooms and narrow staircases, the dovetail corners of the log buildings...Really wanted to move there when I was younger, well work there/live nearby, only a few people stay year round: the caretaker, the hotel owner... It's mostly a museum, open may-oct. There's one house I really like that started small and was added on to several times over the years to become this maze of little rooms, hallways and additions, I love that.

For BC buildings I also like the O'Keefe mansion near Vernon. I used a pic from it for an avatar once.

One of those lovely Victorian houses with all the draperies, banisters and furry wallpapers that I love.

I have never actually been to Barkerville, although I have lived in BC all my life. I went to a similar "ghost town" in Alberta... I can't remember the name of it now (snd it was only a few years ago), but we took a steam train there from Edmonton. It was a little touristy place.

So, can people actually stay at the old hotel in Barkerville, and do they serve food and drinks at the restaurant and saloon, or are they just museums now? I think my partner would love to visit there. He's from Europe but has a thing for wild west stuff from having watched old western movies as a kid!

Elanor's mention of Scandinavia reminded of this picture. It's Nyhavn, the old port of Copenhagen where Hans Christian Andersen lived for part of his life. I took the picture when we visited Denmark several years ago. The old buildings are quite nice both in style and colour.

Mendalla

Speaking of special places in Canada, I love the brightly-coloured buildings of "Jellybean Row" in Newfoundland.

Nice Jae! I like "Jelly Bean Row" probably for the same reasons Iceland's buildings interest me. The colours really liven things up.

I also love the Victorian homes in the Haight-Ashbury area of San Francisco, nicknamed "the Painted Ladies". There are quite a few Victorian era homes in my city too, but most are not nearly as ornately detailed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_ladies#San_Francisco.27s_Painted_Ladies

It's interesting how Maritime European cultures all seem to go for the colourful look. Look at the pics from Copenhagen, Newfoundland, and Reykjavik. Older neighbourhoods in Halifax, too (my wife lived there for a couple years - I actually proposed there - so I visited several times).

Mendalla

I wasn't aware of those before. Thank you for the link kimmio, they are nice.

Rich blessings.

Yes I recognize that Copenhagen scene, I've seen pics before. You're lucky to have gone there.

Kimmio: Yes! You can stay the night at the hotel and eat at several restaurants there, western or chinese, and they're quite busy. Best to visit before kids are out for summer break. You can take in the vaudeville show too, with can can dancers and Victorian comedy. You can also use the post office. It's all very convincing. Actors are there in character as you interact with them, which can be confusing, but fun! Last time we were there we rode on the stagecoach and took in the archaeology presentation with a dig in progress. I believe the saloon is real too, though if it is I haven't drank in it. The general store is real, you can buy neat Victorian items there all rung through the proper old till, and your purchace wrapped up in brown paper and string. I could really immerse myself in all that.

I'd love to visit Newfoundland! We came near to moving over there permanant sight unseen, back in '98, because of the cheep houses.

Victoria and Vancouver have many lovely Victorian houses. Some done up very nice with pretty colours and detailing. I'm sure they cost the earth! Ooo those San Fran houses are really pretty. I love all the nooks and corners.

I think maybe the colourful paint by the temperate seaside places might relate to all the cloudy rainy weather they tend to get. SO the paint cheers things up.

Here's some pretty houses from James Bay Victoria.

These pics hardly do the area justice actaully. With all the cherry trees and maples, flowers and oaks and old fashioned lamp posts, it's very pretty and cozy. Victoria also has the parliment buildings, govorner's house, Empress Hotel, Craigdarroch castle, and Hatley castle one time home of the Dunsmuir family, now a college.

Yup, I've sen those :) In Vancouver, there are a few too, but there aren't as many really detailed ones as in San Fran or even Victoria I don't think...maybe in the Commercial Drive area of Vancouver, but many have been torn down to build cheap (cheap looking, imo, but still pricey) stucco montrosities. It's really too bad.

I also like the red-brick Victorian era homes in Toronto. Not as many red-brick houses were built out west in that time period I don't think. Maybe because lumber was plentiful here at the time.

Another favorite city of mine with plenty of interesting architecture is Valencia, Spain. It's an old city on the Mediterranean coast (founded by the Romans after they took Spain from the Carthaginians) whose architecture ranges from medieval (the cathedral was begun in the 13th century CE) to ultra-modern (the City of Arts and Sciences was completed less than 10 years ago). You can more or less time travel from the 13th century to the 21st simply by taking a city bus from the old city square to the waterfront.

The cathedral (started in 1262 but there are remnants of older churches incorporated):

Valencia city hall (can't find an age for it)

City of the arts and sciences - from left to right: Hemispheric Imax theatre & planetarium, Prince Philip Museum of the Sciences (a very good science and technology museum), El Assut Bridge of Gold (a suspension bridge whose tower is the city's highest point). Beyond the bridge cables you can see  the Agora (covered plaza for meetings, concerts, and other gatherings). You can't see it but beyond the Agora is the city's aquarium.

Queen Sofia Palace of the Arts - opera house/theatre/concert facility. This is the newest part of the City of Arts and Sciences, opened in 2005.

All pics from my family's trip to Valencia in 2009.

Mendalla

The city of Arts and sciences is very wild looking...are those Frank Gehry desgined buildings (looks like they could be)?