London is one of the most interesting European cities in terms of architecture. Besides its history, some of the most relevant towers of the 21st century have been built recently, making it a beautiful city full of contrasts. Anything interesting in terms of architecture is here. If you find any mistakes, or have any suggestions … Continue reading
Among all types of infographics, maps are my favourite kind. It’s really fascinating how much information a well-designed map is able to communicate. And this makes subway maps both a challenge and a nightmare to designers. Long before cars became our primary means of transport, the use of interurban transit provided commuters a way of … Continue reading
Despite the use of color in architecture throughout history, modern constructions seem to be a bit skeptical of this design aspect. Contemporary architecture tends to avoid color in general and there are only a few buildings who manage to use tones in the right way. Architects don’t want their buildings to look like a kindergarten … Continue reading
Some weeks ago I published 10 Sites To Take The Best Skyline Pictures in Chicago and immediately thought of San Francisco. Its hilly landscape hides potential views like no other big city in North America. So to speak, you’ll have to be fit to reach many of these spots- but the views will pay off … Continue reading
Winter 1970, Madrid If you love concrete you’ll love this piece, built between 1960-1990. The Spanish cultural heritage building, “Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural” is the most unusual concrete building in Madrid. Building: Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España Architects: Fernando Higueras (1930-2008), Rafael Moneo (1937- ), Antonio Miró (1931-2011) Year built: 1960-1990 Location: Calle del … Continue reading
Among all types of designers, architects have proven to be especially picky in terms of typography. Mies van der Rohe once stated “God is in the details” and apparently us architects pay a lot of attention to the fonts we use. However, we are loyal only to a few. According to a survey I’ve been … Continue reading
A few days ago, while updating the The Free Architecture Guide of Rome, something drew my attention, there were barely no new buildings after the 1960s. So I went through every single building of the map to check my suspicion and that was it, no major constructions in nearly 40 years! I wondered if it had to … Continue reading
Some time ago I published 5 Skyline Photographs of Chicago and 5 Skyline Photographs of Madrid, now is time for Zürich. If you are trying to get that unique angle of Zürich’s amazing architecture, maybe this compilation was give you some ideas. Guess where these pictures were taken! Click on images to make them larger. Year: 2014 … Continue reading
Zurich, one of the world’s most exciting cities in terms of architecture, has been busy at work and new exciting buildings, squares and public parks have bloomed across the city. Despite its new concrete additions, Zurich remains a historical nucleus and medieval houses, narrow lanes and guild and town halls still coexist with respect and … Continue reading
Let’s face the truth: Chicago is the best city in the world but not in winter. The temperature is about 4ºF (-16ºC) and believe me, you don’t want to be outside. However, during snowy days, chances of taking the best skyline pictures increase. So get ready, take your camera and discover some of Chicago’s best … Continue reading
About one year ago, while I was living in Chicago, I started creating these architecture maps so I could remember all the awesome places I wanted to visit. One day a non architect friend asked me where was this amazing building I was always talking about – The Poetry Foundation. He was unable to find … Continue reading
Is there anything more fascinating than seeing the construction process of a building? If you love architecture, from the initial concept through its construction, you’ll find this collection really beautiful. Check this photographs of great buildings on their construction process. Click on images to make them larger. 1. Rolex Learning Center Architect: SANAA Year: 2010 … Continue reading
Chicago, 11.30 am on a Saturday. They call it the windy city but there is no wind today, as you walk through Michigan Avenue. The sun is softly hitting you in the face and, although it’s cold, you have a warm feeling. There is a bunch of people on the street today but it’s not … Continue reading
Architecture is a mixture of form and function, just like fashion. Clothes are supposed to be comfortable and beautiful at the same time but its design can easily turn out to be a vague ornament in some ocasions. However, some of the biggest world firms such as Chanel, Armani or Louis Vuitton are known for … Continue reading
Two weeks ago I visited Berlin for the first time. Despite having heard it was amazing, it turned out to be even better than I thought. Berlin is a strange mixture of past and present full of architectural contrasts. One of the most interesting cities I’ve ever visited, that’s for sure. Along with North Rhine-Westphalia, … Continue reading
Holocaust Memorial, Berlin 2013 One of my biggest passions besides architecture is traveling, as you can see in this blog. One day I decided to start my first architecture map, New York. A while later I did one of the city in which I was currently living: Chicago. Soon after a map of the city … Continue reading
At the beginning of summer I published Top 11 Rooftops of Madrid and it seems rooftops are gaining popularity among Europe. Since there aren’t many skyscrapers yet, any building with more than 10 stories often hide a potentially interesting spot on its top floor. Last week I traveled to Berlin so I was curious and visited the best … Continue reading
Many of us have been in New York but even if we hadn’t we would still be able to recognize some of the city’s icons. However, how much attention do you pay to details? Would you be able to identify all of these spots in New York? Some of these aren’t easy at all so … Continue reading
One of New York‘s most loved areas is The High Line. It is a 1-mile linear public park created in 2009 and built on a 1.45-mile section of the former elevated NY Central Railroad spur called the West Side Line. It has been redesigned and is now seen as an aerial greenway. The team of … Continue reading
Mies van der Rohe Teaching at Crown Hall, Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago) Did you go to college? Then you surely have an opinion about how the building influenced your studies. According to “Webometrics Ranking of World Universities“, there are around 21,000 universities in the world. And many more are currently under construction. This may reflect something … Continue reading
Ibiza, part of the dreamy Balearic Islands in Spain, began as a port town, founded by Phoenician settlers in 654 BC. Its rich past includes not only the Phoenicians, but also the Romans, Arabs, and Spanish. Isolation and a lack of trade through much of history meant the island’s architecture, culture and habits remained unique. … Continue reading
Among the many art items architects have designed, timepieces hold a prominent position. If architecture is a perfect balance between “form” and “function” then it makes sense to say that watches are architecture you can wear. I have a special passion for watches and it is in fact the only piece of jewellery I wear. … Continue reading
Sometimes we try to find inspiration in big art/architecture magazines while there are many unknown artists publishing their amazing work online. It’s been nearly a year since I started blogging with WordPress and during this time I came accross many outstanding blogs. This is a selection of WordPress sites that I find amazing in all … Continue reading
Click on images to make them larger. Year: 2009-2013 Location: Miami (US) Camera: Nikon D60 Time: 8.00 am-21.00 pm Most of these places are included in 23 Spots You Shouldn’t Miss in Miami If You Love Architecture If you want to learn more about Miami’s Architecture have a look to my Free Architecture Guide of Miami or click … Continue reading
Miami is a beautiful city full of architecture, which is sometimes overshadowed by the reputation of its beaches and nightlife. Miami is this amazing city where you can find anything you want. If you want sun and sand, you’ll have it. But if you wanted a 12th century monastery brought stone by stone from Spain … Continue reading
The average building height in downtown Madrid (5-6 stories) may not be as high as in Chicago (30-40 stories) but it is exactly for that reason than any building with more than 4 stories often hide a potentially interesting spot on its top floor. Madrid is full of, sometimes unknown, rooftops so hopefully you’ll discover … Continue reading
Click on images to make them larger. Year: 2013 Location: Madrid (Spain) Camera: Nikon D60 Time: 8.00 am-21.00 pm Motive: Skyline Photography If you want to learn more about Madrid’s Architecture have a look to my Free Architecture Guide of Madrid or click on the map below. If you like skyline photography, check 5 Skyline Photographs of … Continue reading
If we think about architecture, we think about a composition of light and materials put together in space. Furniture is barely needed since the space itself is the main feature. Sometimes, however, architecture is disguised or there are too many partitions that make it difficult to fully understand the space. Architecture, or naked architecture, should … Continue reading
“In a good bookroom you feel in some mysterious way that you are absorbing the wisdom contained in all the books through your skin, without even opening them.” ― Mark Twain We have always imagined good libraries as very quiet places but the truth is that there is much more behind this kind of space … Continue reading
San Francisco is a city I’ve visited several times and in many different circumstances. It is an amazing city full of history and architecture and despite the weather (sometimes too cloudy/rainy) I always enjoyed the trip and managed to take great pictures. Anything interesting in terms of architecture is here. If you find any mistakes, … Continue reading
Virginia Duran 