What are the great architectural masterpieces ever made? After studying this field for a long time I have come to the conclusion that only a handful of buildings incorporate all the qualities necessary to be called architectural masterpieces. Of course everyone has their favorite architect, or their favorite style, but I think that an architectural masterpiece is something that everybody can agree is objectively a great work of art. I think that architecture is a very special domain of activity because it embodies the best from to domains that seem to be so different: art and technical knowledge. So here are my personal favorite buildings of all time.

1.      Casa Batllo. This building was designed by the great Catalonian architect Anthony Gaudy.  Most specialists consider this to be on of his greatest works. Everything in this hose was designed by him from windows, to walls to furniture, and that’s what makes it so special, so unitary, and so expressive. Gaudi’s organic forms creep up on you, you see hidden meanings in every form, and you are compelled to fall in love with the incredible interior spaces that seems to swell and swerve and move around you. You can see references form the organic world in every shape of the house: the garlic shaped chimneys, the columns on the front facade that look like bones, the survey facade, covered in blue tile that, hit by the right kind of sunlight makes you feel like you are on sea. For me this house is an architectural masterpiece.

2.      The Guggenheim museum in Bilbao. This is the work of the American architect Frank O. Gehry. This is a complete architectural masterpiece. This building alone has revived the Spanish city of Bilbao, which bases almost all of its revenue from tourism. The forms that Gehry has come up with are unbelievable. It is incredible to see such a structure work, because it seems so unlikely. Everything seems to be random, organic, grown out of the earth. That’s what makes it a great building.

3.      Falling Water. This is the crowning achievement of Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the greatest American architects that ever lived. Falling Water is a residential house that is built over a waterfall, and blends absolutely magnificent with the surrounding environment. It seems to be as natural as the pines that surround it. It is one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of the modern era. It is now a museum, and is visited by lots of enthusiastic young architects that want to see every nook and cranny of it. All the furniture inside has been designed by the architect himself.

4.      The Sydney Opera House. This building has become in a short while emblematic for the city. It is the work of Danish architect Jǿrn Utzon. For this building he has won the Pritzker Prize in 2003, which is architectures highest honor. The concept of this building is based on the idea of seashells. It is brilliant building that was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007.

5.      The Beijing National Stadium. Also called The Bird’s Nest it is one of the most impressive architectural masterpieces from the contemporary era.  The architects behind the project were Hertzog & de Meuron. This is great stadium because it has no columns that obstruct the view for the spectators. Its structure may seem to be organic and chaotic but is actually very precise and geometric. The main frame is disguised by many other frames that seem to go in every direction, giving the impression a woven nest. Actually every frame is part of a specific layer, and when you put them all on top of each other, they create a very organic shape.

6.      The Pompidou Center. The architects of this project were Piano and Rogers. It is a very shocking architectural masterpiece. Everything was designed so that the inside space could be as clear as possible. There are no inside columns, because of the ingenious way the structure is made. Every floor has the area of a football field which is open space, so that the museum working inside the building can reorganize the exhibits in whatever way they see fit.

These are my personal favorite architectural masterpieces. Many other favorites have been left out, but I’m sure you have your own. I think architecture is one of the most important forms of art because of the fact that we interact with it on a day to day basis. I think quality architecture can change a city form its roots, and can improve the quality of life of its inhabitants. Recognizing and protecting architectural masterpieces should be one of the main concerns of any government. A city can base it’s whole economy on good quality architecture, thru tourism.

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