≡ 10 Unique Marvels of Architecture ➤ Brain Berries

When you combine innovative technologies with human ingenuity and creative ideas, you can implement incredible projects that will become a vital part of future architecture.

Here are ten unique marvels of architecture from ancient and modern times.

1. Chapel of Sound Amphitheatre

The Chapel of Sound Amphitheatre is located in a valley near Beijing. It is a monolithic open-air performance theatre with glimpses of the Ming Dynasty’s Great Wall remnants. The Chapel of Sound is designed to resemble a mysterious boulder that was softly placed on the ground.

2. Harbin Opera House, designed by MAD Architects

This opera house looks like a giant wasps’ nest, but really it is an 850,349 square-foot multi-venue performing arts center in Harbin, designed by the well-known Chinese architect agency MAD.

3. Lonely House, Yokohama, Japan

Built in 1623, this idyllic little house is a dream come true for every introvert out there. But as with all the old dwellings, this one has its fair share of potential issues like the plumbing, possible flash floods in spring, or even the absence of a bathroom. And what do you do in the winter?

4. Sun and Moon pagodas in Guilin, China

The two towers emanate a weird, almost mystical vibe. Even looking at the photo fills people with wonder! Make sure to visit the Sun and Moon pagodas whenever you visit Guilin.

5. MVRDV’s Housing Complex in Amsterdam, Netherlands

It seems like something big crashed into a regular residential building. Was it a meteor or the work of some terrifying Kaiju? The truth is, the housing complex was designed like that.

6. Preserved Edo period neighborhood in Japan

The Edo period lasted for over 200 years (1603-1867), and this neighborhood is one of the few well-preserved landmarks of that era. If walls could talk, just imagine all the stories we could hear.

7. Cool house in Yazd, Iran

This house made of clay looks fun to live in and beautiful to look at. In hot desert cities, a clay building like this is often combined with special wind catchers that provide ventilation, shallow pools of water somewhere in the courtyards, and trees planted for shade.

8. Kailasa Temple in Ellora, India

The Kailasa temple is made from solid rock. It has gutters for rain collection, super detailed statues on the inside, secret rooms, and other amazing stuff. It was built between 756 and 773 AD by the 8th century Rashtrakuta King Krishna I.

9. Pietragalla, Italy

Welcome to Italian shire. The Palmenti, or millstones, are nothing more than stone houses built to turn grapes into wine and then pour it into barrels.

10. Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Just look at these snake-like columns, the books filling up every nook and cranny, and how close they are to each other. It’s a real feat of engineering and architecture.