From skyscrapers soaring into the sky to high-tech airports, people have managed to create truly impressive things. Throughout history and even today, people continue to display their power and wealth by promoting their societies and cultures by building astounding structures such as the Pyramid of Giza, the Parthenon of Athens and the Eiffel Tower. These are the three most famous buildings in the world. Unfortunately, these aren't the biggest things humans have built (which is why you won't see them on this list). However, you will learn about the most imposing and impressively large man-made structures. So, before you are the 25 largest man-made structures in the world.

25. A bottle of wine

The tallest bottle of wine is 4.17 meters high and 1.21 meters in diameter. In this bottle fit 3094 liters of wine, which was poured into André Vogel (Andr? Vogel) (from Switzerland). The bottle was measured in Lyssach, Switzerland on October 20, 2014.

24. Motorcycle


The Regio Design XXL Chopper is officially the largest functioning motorcycle in the world! It was first introduced at the 2012 Motorbike Expo where it wowed the audience. This huge motorcycle, designed by Fabio Reggiani, is 10 meters long and 5 meters high. Based on this, it is safe to say that he won over all the other "big and scary" motorcycles.

23. Biscuit with sherry

According to the Guinness World Records, on September 26, 1990, students at Clarendon College prepared a sherry biscuit weighing 3.13 tons. Their creation remains to this day the largest sherry biscuit, as well as one of the largest desserts.

22. Train


The longest and heaviest freight train, traveled on February 20, 1986, from Ekibastuz to the Ural Mountains, Soviet Union. The train consisted of 439 cars and several diesel locomotives, the total weight of which was 43,400 tons. The total length of the train was 6.5 kilometers.

21. Telescope


The Arecibo Observatory is a radio telescope located in the municipality of Arecibo, Puerto Rico and has an impressive feature. The radio telescope of the observatory, with a diameter of 305 meters, is the largest single telescope in the world. It is used in three major research areas: radio astronomy, atmospheric science, and radar astronomy.

20. Swimming pool


The world's largest swimming pool contains approximately 249,837 cubic meters of water and can accommodate thousands of people at the same time. The Crystal Lagoon at the San Alfonso del Mar resort in Chile is even big enough for a sailboat to swim in. It even has its own artificial beach.

19. Subway


The Seoul Subway serving the Seoul Subway is the longest subway system in the world. The total length of the route stretches for 940 kilometers. As of 2013. The first metro line opened in 1974, and currently the system consists of 17 lines.

18. Statue

The Spring Temple Buddha is the largest in the world. Its total height is 153 meters, including a 20-meter lotus-shaped throne and a building 25 meters high. Construction of the Spring Temple Buddha was planned shortly after the Bamiyan Buddhas were blown up by the Taliban in Afghanistan. The construction of the statue was fully completed in 2008. She represents the Vairocana Buddha.

17. sports arena


Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is a multifunctional stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea. Its construction was completed on May 1, 1989. It is considered the largest stadium in the world and can accommodate 150,000 people in an area of ​​207,000 square meters.

16. Satellite


TerreStar-1, weighing 6910 kilograms, became the largest commercial satellite in the world in 2009. It launched into orbit from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana on July 1, 2009.

15. Revolver


The Remington Model 1859 replica made by Mr. Ryszard Tobys is officially the largest revolver in the world. Its record length was "only" 1.26 meters.

14. Book


The size of the largest book is 5 by 8.06 meters, and it weighs approximately one and a half tons. This book has 429 pages. It was presented on February 27, 2012 by Mshahed International Group, in Dubai, United United Arab Emirates. It is called "This is Muhammad" and contains stories highlighting the achievements of his life, as well as the positive impact on Islam internationally and humanitarian level.

13. Pencil


The length of the longest and largest pencil is 323.51 meters. It was created by Ed Douglas Miller (from UK). It was measured in Worcester, Worcestershire, UK on September 17, 2013.

12. Parliament


The parliament building in Bucharest, Romania, was designed by architect Anca Petrescu and nearly completed during the Ceau?escu regime. It was to become the building of the political and administrative branches of power. To this day, it remains the largest civil building with an administrative function, as well as the most expensive and heaviest administrative building in the world.

11. Skyscraper


Burj Khalifa, known as the "Khalifa Tower" is a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the tallest man-made structure and skyscraper in the world. Its height is 829.8 meters.

10. Wall


The Great Wall of China, perhaps the most famous of all man-made structures in the world, is the largest wall in the world. Its length is 21.196 kilometers.

9. Crossword


The world's largest crossword puzzle was built on the side of a residential building in Ukraine. Its height exceeds 30 meters. It occupies the entire outer part of the wall of a residential building in the city of Lviv.

8. Church


St. Peter's Basilica is a late Renaissance church located in the Vatican. It took 120 years to build (1506-1626). On the this moment it is considered the largest church in the world.

7. Castle


The Guinness Book of World Records has listed Prague Castle, located in the Czech Republic, as the most extensive ancient castle in the world. It covers an area of ​​almost 70,000 square meters and is 570 meters long and 130 meters wide.

6. Aquarium


The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the largest aquarium in the world. It is home to over 100,000 sea creatures. This aquarium opened in November 2005. Its construction was sponsored by a $250 million donation from Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus. The Georgia Aquarium is the only non-Asian facility that houses whale sharks. The sharks are kept in a giant container with a capacity of 24 million liters of water, which is part of the Ocean Voyager exhibit.

5. Plane


The Antonov An-225 Mriya is an ultra-heavy-lift transport jet aircraft that was designed by the Antonov Experimental Design Bureau in the Soviet Union in the 1980s. It is powered by six turbojet bypass engines and is the longest and heaviest aircraft in the world. Its maximum load capacity is 640 tons. It also has the largest wingspan of any aircraft in operation today. In the entire history, only one Antonov An-225 "Mriya" was built, which is still functioning.

4. Passenger ship


At the moment, the largest passenger ship is the Oasis of the Seas, which is owned by Royal Caribbean. He made his first voyage, going on a cruise in December 2009. Its length is 360 meters and it can accommodate 5400 passengers.

3. Airport


King Fahd International Airport, located in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, is the largest airport in the world. Every year, 5,267,000 passengers and 82,256 tons of cargo pass through this airport, which are transported by 50,936 flights. The airport opened its doors in 1999. Its runway is 4,000 meters long and 60 meters wide. Its total area is 1256.14 square kilometers.

2. Bomb


The largest bomb in history that was detonated is the Tsar Bomba. Its capacity was 50 megatons or 500,000 kilotons, equivalent to 50 million tons of dynamite. It was detonated only to show other countries how advanced the Soviet Union was. October 30, 1961 went down in history as the most powerful artificial explosion in the history of mankind.

1. Subject


The largest man-made objects in the world are submarine communication cables. They stretched from San Francisco to Japan and from San Francisco to New Zealand. The total length of the cables exceeds 8,000 kilometers. These submarine cables are typically 6.6 centimeters in diameter. The weight of such a cable is 10 kilograms per meter. The total weight of one cable exceeds 80,000 tons.

Old or new, with complex or simple structures, these buildings are undoubtedly the most incredible in the world. There are attractive, there are unusual, and there are just crazy buildings that do not look like anything. Sometimes it is even difficult to immediately understand what is in front of you - a house or something else?

Lotus Temple

(Delhi, India)

The main Bahai temple in India and neighboring countries, built in 1986. Located in New Delhi, the capital of India. A huge building made of snow-white Pentelian marble in the shape of a blossoming lotus flower is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Delhi. Known as the main temple of the Indian subcontinent and the main attraction of the city.

The Lotus Temple has won several architectural awards and has been featured in numerous newspaper and magazine articles. In 1921, the young Bombay Baha'i community asked 'Abdu'l-Bahá for permission to build a Baha'i temple in Bombay, to which the answer was allegedly given: "By the will of God, in the future, a majestic temple of worship will be erected in one of the central cities of India," that is, in Delhi. .

"Khan Shatyr"

(Astana, Kazakhstan)

A large shopping and entertainment center in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana (architect - Norman Foster). Opened on July 6, 2010, it is considered the largest tent in the world. total area"Khan Shatyr" - 127,000 m2. It houses retail and entertainment complexes, including a supermarket, a family park, cafes and restaurants, cinemas, Sport halls, a water park with an artificial beach and pools with the effect of waves, service and office premises, parking for 700 cars and much more.

The highlight of "Khan Shatyr" is a beach resort with a tropical climate, plants and a temperature of + 35 ° C all year round. The sandy beaches of the resort are equipped with a heating system that creates the feeling of a real beach, and the sand was brought from the Maldives. The building is a giant tent 150 m high (spire), constructed from a network of steel cables, on which a transparent ETFE polymer coating is fixed. Thanks to a special chemical composition it protects the interior of the complex from sudden temperature changes and creates a comfortable microclimate inside the complex. "Khan Shatyr" entered the top ten world eco-buildings according to Forbes Style magazine, becoming the only building from all over the CIS that the publication decided to include in its hit parade.

The opening of the Khan Shatyr shopping and entertainment center took place as part of the celebration of Astana Day with the participation of the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. During solemn ceremony opening concert of the world performer, the Italian tenor of classical music Andrea Bocelli. The most interesting thing is that any Tyumen citizen can visit this amazing place: it is only a nine-hour drive to Astana.

Guggenheim Museum

(Bilbao, Spain)

Designed by American architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Museum is a magnificent example of the most innovative architecture of the 20th century. Constructed from titanium, it is adorned with wavy lines that change color under the sun's rays. The total area is 24,000 m2, 11,000 of which are devoted to exhibitions.

The Guggenheim Museum is a true architectural landmark, a piece of daring configuration and innovative design that provides a seductive backdrop for the artwork it houses. This building has changed the world's view of modern architecture and museums and has become a symbol of the rebirth of the industrial city of Bilbao.

National Library

(Minsk, Belarus)

The history of the National Library of Belarus begins on September 15, 1922. On this day, the Belarusian State and University Library was founded by the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the BSSR. The number of readers has been constantly increasing. During its history, the library has changed several buildings, and soon it became necessary to build a new large and functional library building.

Back in 1989, a competition was held at the level of the republic for designing a new library building. The "glass diamond" by architects Mikhail Vinogradov and Viktor Kramarenko was recognized as the best. On May 19, 1992, by the Decree of the Council of Ministers, the Belarusian State Library received the status of a national library. On March 7, 2002, the President of the Republic signed a decree on the construction of the building public institution"National Library of Belarus". But its construction began only in November 2002.

The opening ceremony of the "Belarusian diamond" took place on June 16, 2006. President of Belarus Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko (who, by the way, received a library card No. 1) noted at the opening ceremony that “this unique building combines the austere beauty of modern architecture and the latest scientific and technical solutions.” Indeed, the National Library of Belarus is a unique architectural, construction, software and hardware complex, built in accordance with the latest scientific and technical developments and aimed at meeting the information and socio-cultural needs of society.

The new building of the library has 20 reading rooms, which are designed for 2000 users. All rooms are equipped electronic departments issuance of documents, modern equipment that allows scanning and copying documents, printing from electronic copies. The halls have computerized workplaces, workplaces for visually impaired and blind users, equipped with special equipment.

crooked house

(Sopot, Poland)

AT Polish city Sopot on Heroes of Monte Cassino Street is one of the most unusual houses planets - Crooked house (in Polish - Krzywy Domek). It seems that he either melted in the sun, or is it optical illusion, and this is not the house itself, but only its reflection in a huge crooked mirror.

A crooked house is really crooked and does not contain a single even place and corner. It was built in 2004 according to the project of two Polish architects - Shotinsky and Zalevsky - impressed by the drawings of the artists Jan Marcin Schanzer and Per Oskar Dahlberg. The main task The authors in front of the customer, which became the shopping center "Resident", was the creation of such an appearance of the building, which would attract as many visitors as possible. A variety of materials were used in the design of the facade: from glass to stone, and the roof made of enameled plates resembles the back of a dragon. Doors and windows are equally asymmetrical and bizarrely curved, giving the house the appearance of some kind of fabulous hut.

The crooked house works around the clock. During the day, a shopping center, cafes and other establishments are open here, and in the evening - pubs and clubs. In the dark, the house becomes even more beautiful. In 2009, the building was recognized as one of the seven wonders of the Tricity, which includes the cities of Gdynia, Gdansk and Sopot. According to a recent poll by The Village of Joy, the Crooked House topped the list of the fifty most unusual buildings in the world.

teapot building

(Jiangsu, China)

In China, the construction of the cultural and exhibition center Wuxi Wanda Exhibition Center, made in the form of a clay teapot, is nearing completion. This building has already officially entered the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest teapot in the world. The choice of this form is not accidental: clay teapots have been considered symbols of the Celestial Empire since the 15th century. They are still produced in Jiangsu Province, where the Wuxi Wanda Exhibition Center is located. In addition to the manufacture of clay teapots, China is also famous for its elite varieties of tea.

Real estate developer The Wanda Group announced that it has spent 40 billion yuan ($6.4 billion) to build the cultural and exhibition center. The result is a structure with an area of ​​3.4 million m2, a height of 38.8 m and a diameter of 50 m. Outside, the building is sheathed with aluminum sheets, which provide the necessary curvature of the frame. In addition to them, there are many important role play stained glass windows of different sizes.

Exhibition halls, a water park, a roller coaster, and a Ferris wheel will be located in the Wuxi Wanda center. In addition, each of the three floors of the building will be able to rotate on its own axis. The cultural and exhibition center is part of the Tourism City shopping and entertainment complex, the construction of which is planned to be completed by 2017.

"Habitat 67"

(Montreal, Canada)

An unusual residential complex in Montreal was designed by architect Moshe Safdie in 1966-1967. The complex was built for the start of the Expo 67 exhibition, one of the largest world exhibitions of that time, the theme of which was houses and residential construction.

The basis of the structure is 354 cubes built on top of each other. It was they who made it possible to create this gray building with 146 apartments, where families live who have exchanged a quiet house in a residential area for such a non-standard house. Most apartments on the roof of the neighbor downstairs have a private garden.

Brutalism is considered the building style. Habitat 67 was built over 45 years ago, but it still impresses with its scale. This is, without a doubt, one of the few modern utopias that not only came true, but also became very popular and was even recognized as elite.

dancing building

(Prague, Czech Republic)

Office building in Prague in the style of deconstructivism consists of two cylindrical towers: conventional and destructive. dancing House, which is jokingly called "Ginger and Fred", is an architectural metaphor for the dancing couple Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. One of the two cylindrical parts, which expands upward, symbolizes a male figure (Fred), and the second visually resembles a female figure with a thin waist and a skirt fluttering in dance (Ginger).

Like many deconstructivist buildings, the building contrasts sharply with its neighbor - a solid architectural complex turn of the XIX-XX centuries. The office center, which houses several international companies, is located in Prague 2, on the corner of Resslova Street and the embankment. On the roof there is a French restaurant with a view of Prague La Perle de Prague.

forest spiral building

(Darmstadt, Germany)

The Austrian genius Friedensreich Hundertwasser presented the unique building to the German city of Darmstadt in 2000. Painted in different colors, a magical house from a children's fairy tale with floating lines of a curved facade, it looks into the world with 1048 windows of non-repetitive shapes, sizes and decor. Real trees grow from some of the windows.

This original building in the form of a horseshoe, spiraling upwards, is called "an unusual house among the usual monotony." It was built in a "biomorphic" style, although, in fact, it is a real residential 12-storey complex, or rather, a kind of fabulous green village. It includes not only a house with 105 comfortable apartments, but also a quiet courtyard with artificial lakes, figured bridges and paths trodden right in the grass; artistically designed playgrounds; closed parking lots; shops; pharmacy and other elements of developed infrastructure.

upside down house

(Szymbark, Poland)

The unique house, which stands on the roof, is decorated in the socialist style of the 1970s. An upside-down house evokes strange sensations: the entrance is on the roof, everyone enters through the window, and the guests walk along the ceiling. The interior is decorated in the style of socialist realism: there is a lounge with a TV and chest of drawers. There is also a table made of the longest solid board in the world - 36.83 m. Of course, the Guinness Book of Records did not ignore him.

The construction of the building took more time and money than for the erection of a conventional house of the same size. The foundation required 200 m³ of concrete. The author of the project was asked many times if his project is related to commercial purposes. The answer was always a stubborn "no". However, the house-shifter turned out to be a commercial success.

Not only Poles, but also foreign tourists come to test their strength and look at an interesting building. Through the attic window, you can enter the house and, carefully maneuvering between the chandeliers, walk around the rooms. Some sources claim that the developer was going to use the new building as his own home. Whether this is so is not known, but the upside-down house in Shimbark did not become residential.

However, there is nothing to complain about: the line of tourists who want to walk inside does not dry out, so there would be no question of any quiet life. A few years ago, in the vicinity of the house, there was even a kind of gathering of local Santa Clauses, who not only discussed their problems, but also practiced getting inside the house through a pipe, since, fortunately, it rests on the ground.

Wat Rong Khun

(Chiang Rai, Thailand)

Wat Rong Khun, better known as the "White Temple", is considered one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The temple is located outside the city of Chiang Rai and attracts a large number of visitors, Thai and foreign. This is one of the most visited attractions in Chiang Rai and the most unusual Buddhist temple.

Wat Rong Khun looks like an ice house. Because of its color, the building is noticeable from afar, besides, it sparkles in the sun thanks to the interspersed pieces of glass in the plaster. The white represents the purity of the Buddha, while the glass symbolizes the wisdom of the Buddha and the Dharma, the Buddhist teachings. They say the best time to visit the White Temple is at sunrise or sunset, when it is beautifully reflected in the sun.

The construction of the temple began in 1997 and continues to this day. It is being built by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat using his own funds from the sale of paintings. The artist refused sponsors: he wants to make the temple the way only he wants.

basket building

(Ohio, USA)

The basket building was built in 1997. The weight of the structure is approximately 8500 tons, the weight of the supporting supports is 150 tons. Nearly 8,000 m3 of reinforced concrete was used in the construction. Effective area buildings - 180,000 square feet. The basket is located on the territory of about 20,000 square feet (approximately 2200 m2) and completely copies one of the trademarks of its owner.

When the architect of the project, Nikolina Georgievsha, found out about what was ahead of her, she exclaimed: “Wow! I have never done this before!" Indeed, this building cannot be called standard in any way. Unlike other buildings, it expands upwards. This made it possible to significantly increase the working space of the offices: the building is designed for a staff of 500 employees. Not bad, considering that the building also has a seven-story atrium with an area of ​​3300 m2, around which the offices are located. In addition, the first floor is occupied by a theater-like auditorium with 142 seats. The building claims to be a bit pompous: the design includes two slabs attached to the building with the owner's trademark, covered with 23 carat gold.

(Sanji, Taiwan)

The strange and wonderful town of Sanji in Taiwan is an abandoned resort complex. The houses in it were shaped like a flying saucer, so they were called UFO houses. The city was purchased as a resort for US military personnel serving in East Asia.

The original idea of ​​building such houses belonged to the owner of the Sanjhih Township plastics company, Mr. Yu-Ko Chow. The first building license was issued in 1978. The design was developed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen. But in 1980, construction was halted when Yu-Chow declared himself bankrupt. All efforts to resume work came to nothing. In addition, several serious accidents occurred during construction due to the allegedly disturbed spirit of the mythical Chinese dragon (so claimed superstitious people). Many believed that the place was haunted. As a result, the village was abandoned and soon became known as a ghost town.

Stone house

(Fafe, Portugal)

House Casa do Penedo in the mountains of Portugal, erected between four boulders, resembles a Stone Age dwelling. Standing on the outskirts of the hut was built in 1974 by Vitor Rodriguez and was intended for relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The desire for simplicity did not make the members of the Rodriguez family hermits, but brought them closer to a natural lifestyle without frills. Electricity was never brought into the house; candles are still used for lighting. The room is heated with a fireplace carved into one of the boulders. The stone walls serve as a continuation of the interior decoration: even the steps leading to the second floor are carved right into the stones.

The stone hut, reminiscent of the dwelling of the characters from the American animated series The Flintstones, blended so seamlessly into the surrounding landscape that it aroused great interest among architects and tourists. The curiosity of local residents and passing travelers forced the Rodriguez family to leave the house. Now no one lives in the hut, but the owners sometimes visit their unusual house. Only in this case there is a chance to see unusual interiors, at other times it is impossible to get inside Casa do Penedo.

central Library

(Kansas City, Missouri, USA)

Located in the heart of Kansas City, this is one of the first projects to regenerate the city and its historical and tourist value. Residents were asked to remember the most famous books that are somehow connected with the name of Kansas City, and they selected twenty fiction books over the course of two years. The appearance of these titles was incorporated into the innovative design of the Central City Library to encourage visits.

The library building looks like bookshelf on which giant books are laid out. Each of them reaches a height of seven meters, and a width of about two. Now the library has at its disposal not only the most modern technologies and excellent quality of service, but also conference rooms, a cafe, an observation room and much more. The Kansas City Public Library has a unique architecture that boggles the imagination. Today it is the pride of the people of the city of Kansas. Its construction has become one of the most significant events on the way to transforming a provincial town into a prosperous metropolis. The library has ten branches, the main of which is the largest and has special funds. The library's arsenal is 2.5 million books, attendance is more than 2.4 million customers a year.

The history of the library begins in 1873, when it opened its doors to readers and immediately became not only a source of educational resources, but also an excellent alternative to other entertainment establishments of that time. The public library has moved many times, and in 1999 it was moved to the former building of the First National Bank. The century-old building was a real masterpiece of craftsmanship: marble columns, bronze doors and walls richly decorated with stucco. But still it required reconstruction. With the help of public-private partnerships, raised funds from the state and municipal budget, as well as sponsorship, the doors of the Kansas Public Library were opened in 2004 in the form in which it is now.

solar oven

(Odelio, France)

A stunning structure that looks like a furnace and, in fact, is one, the Solar Furnace in France is designed to generate and concentrate the high temperatures required for various processes. This happens by capturing the sun's rays and concentrating their energy in one place.

The structure is covered with curved mirrors, their radiance is so great that it is impossible to look at them. The structure was erected in 1970, the Eastern Pyrenees were chosen as the most suitable place. Before today The furnace remains the largest in the world. The mirror array functions as a parabolic reflector, and the high temperature regime at the focus itself can reach up to 3500°C. You can adjust the temperature by changing the angles of the mirrors.

Using a natural resource such as sunlight, the Solar Furnace is considered indispensable for obtaining high temperatures. And they, in turn, are used for various processes. Thus, the production of hydrogen requires a temperature of 1400°C. Test Modes spacecraft and nuclear reactors provide for a temperature of 2500°C, and without a temperature of 3500°C it is impossible to create nanomaterials. In a word, the Solar Furnace is not just an amazing building, but also a vital and efficient one. At the same time, it is considered an environmentally friendly and relatively cheap way to get high temperatures.

"Robert Ripley's House"

(Niagara Falls, Canada)

Ripley's House in Orlando is an illustration not of a technical revolution, but of a natural disaster. This house was built to commemorate the magnitude 8 earthquake that hit here in 1812.

Today, the supposedly cracked building is recognized as one of the most photographed in the world. "Believe it or not!" (Ripley's Believe It or Not!) is a patented network of so-called Ripley's Auditoriums (museums of strange and incredible things), of which there are more than 30 in the world.

The idea belongs to Robert Ripley (1890–1949), an American cartoonist, entrepreneur and anthropologist. The first traveling collection, Ripley's Auditorium, was presented in Chicago in 1933 during the World's Fair. On the permanent basis the first museum "If you want - believe it, if you want - no!" was opened after the death of Ripley, in 1950 in Florida, in the city of St. Augustine. The Canadian museum of the same name was founded in 1963 in the city of Niagara Falls (Niagara Falls, Ontario) and still has a reputation as the best museum in the city. The Auditorium building was built in the form of a falling Empire State Building (New York) with King Kong standing on the roof.

shoe house

(Pennsylvania, USA)

The shoe house in Pennsylvania (York County) was conceived by a very successful businessman, Colonel Mahlon N. Heinz. At that time, he owned a thriving shoe company, which included about 40 shoe stores. At that time, Heinz was already 73 years old, but he loved his business so much that he commissioned an architect to create an unusual structure in the shape of a boot. This was in 1948. Already in 1949, the shoe businessman's dream came true, and the restless Mahlon N. Heinz was able not only to admire the extraordinary building, but also to settle there.

The length of this house is 12 m, height - 8. Its facade was made as follows: first a wooden frame was created, which was then poured with cement. Surprisingly, even the mailbox of this house is made in the shape of a shoe. There are shoes and bars on the windows and doors. Near the house there is a dog kennel, which was also made in the form of a boot. And even on the sign, located on the road, there are shoes. But in fact, the shoe house has such an orientation only from the outside. Inside, this is quite a comfortable dwelling, quite cozy and spacious. On the side of the house, there is an external staircase (most likely a fire escape) that allows access to all five tiers of the unusual building.

dome house

(Florida, USA)

After a series of devastating hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida (USA), which left Mark and Valeria Sigler homeless every time, they decided to build a house that could withstand the pressure of the elements and at the same time be beautiful and comfortable. The result of their work was a house with an unusually strong construction and unique design.

For people living in the coastal zone, it is very important that they have somewhere to return after a storm. Ordinary houses are very often destroyed to the ground, while the "Dome House" can stand as if nothing had happened even under a wind rushing at a speed of 450 km / h. At the same time, the Siglers' house fits perfectly into the surrounding landscape: the dome is the best suited to the surroundings of dunes, ponds and vegetation. The construction of the building is made of modern environmentally friendly materials that can last for several centuries.

cube buildings

(Rotterdam, the Netherlands)

A number of unusual houses were built in Rotterdam and Helmond according to the innovative design of the architect Piet Blom in 1984. Blom's radical decision was that he turned the box of the house by 45 degrees and placed it at an angle on a hexagonal pylon. There are 38 such houses in Rotterdam and two more super-cubes, and all the houses are articulated with each other. From a bird's eye view, the complex has an intricate appearance, resembling an impossible triangle.

The houses consist of three floors:
● Ground floor - entrance.
● First - living room with kitchen.
● Second - two bedrooms with a bathroom.
● Upper - sometimes a small garden is laid out here.

The walls and windows are inclined at an angle of 54.7 degrees with respect to the floor. The total area of ​​the apartment is about 100 m2, however, about a quarter of the space is unusable due to the walls, which are at an angle.

Burj Al Arab Hotel

(Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Luxury hotel in Dubai major city United Arab Emirates. The building stands in the sea at a distance of 280 m from the shore on an artificial island connected to the land by a bridge. With a height of 321 m, the hotel was considered the tallest hotel in the world, until another Dubai hotel appeared - the Rose Tower - 333 m high, which opened in April 2008.

The construction of the hotel began in 1994; it opened to visitors on December 1, 1999. The hotel was built in the form of a dhow sail, an Arab ship. Closer to the top is a helipad, and on the other side is the El Muntaha restaurant (from Arabic - “highest”). Both are supported by cantilever beams.

Towers "Absolute"

Like any other booming suburb North America, Mississauga is looking for its new architectural look. Towers "Absolute" steel new opportunity to respond to the needs of an ever-expanding city, to create a residential landmark that claims to be more than just efficient housing. They can create a permanent emotional connection for residents with their hometown. Such a structure can be safely included in the list of the most beautiful skyscrapers in the world.

Instead of the simple, functional logic of modernism, the design of the towers expresses the complex multiple needs of contemporary society. These buildings are much more than just a multifunctional machine. It is something beautiful, human and alive. The towers serve as an important gate to the city, located at the intersection of two main city streets.

Despite the special status of these towers as significant landmarks, the emphasis in the project was by no means on their height, as is the case with most of the tallest buildings in the world. Thanks to design features continuous balconies surround the entire building, eliminating the vertical barriers traditionally used in high-rise architecture. Towers "Absolute" rotate in different projections at different levels, combined with the surrounding landscapes. The aim of the designers was to provide a good 360-degree view from any point of the building, as well as to ensure the contact of residents with natural elements, awakening in them a reverent attitude towards nature. The height of tower A with 56 floors is 170 m, and tower B with a height of 50 floors is 150 m.

Pabellon de Aragon

(Zaragoza, Spain)

A building that looks like a wicker basket appeared in Zaragoza in 2008. The construction was timed to the full-scale exhibition "Expo-2008", dedicated to the problems of water shortage on the planet. The pavilion of Aragon, literally woven of glass and steel, is crowned with strange-looking structures placed on the roof.

As conceived by its creators, the building reflects the deep trace that five ancient civilizations left on the territory of Zaragoza. In addition, inside the building you can learn about the history of water and how man learned to manage water resources on the planet.

(Graz, Austria)

This museum gallery contemporary art was opened as part of the European Capital of Culture program in 2003. The concept of the building was developed by London-based architects Peter Cook and Colin Fournier. The facade of the museum was made by realities:united using BIX technology as a 900 m2 media installation consisting of luminous elements that can be programmed using a computer. It allows the museum to communicate with the surrounding urban space.

The installation has won a number of awards. The BIX façade was conceived when the rest of the building was already being developed. In addition to late dates it was difficult to integrate into the concept of other authors. In addition, the facade, without a doubt, became the dominant element of the architectural image. The architects-authors accepted the design of the facade because it was based on their original ideas about a large luminous surface.

Concert hall

(Canary Islands, Spain)

One of the most famous and recognizable buildings in Spain, the symbol of the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, one of the most significant works of modern architecture and one of the main attractions of the Canary Islands. The opera was designed by Santiago Calatrava in 2003.

The Auditorio de Tenerife building is located in the city center, close to the César Manrique Marine Park, the city's port and the twin towers of Torres de Santa Cruz. Nearby is located tram station. You can enter the opera hall from two sides of the building at once. The Auditorio de Tenerife has two terraces overlooking the sea.

coin building

(Guangzhou, China)

AT Chinese city Guangzhou is a unique building in the form of a huge disk with a hole inside. It will house the Guangdong Plastics Exchange. Now the final cosmetic work is going on here.

At 33 floors and 138 meters high, the coin-shaped building has an opening with a diameter of almost 50 meters, which has a functional, and not only design, value. The main shopping area will be located around it. The fact that the building has already become one of the main attractions of Guangdong is obvious. However, opinions about symbolic meaning divided.

The Italian company that developed the project claims that the form was based on jade discs owned by ancient Chinese rulers and nobility. They symbolized the high moral qualities of a person. In addition, together with its reflection in the Pearl River, on which the building stands, it forms the number 8. According to the Chinese, it brings good luck. However, many citizens of Guangzhou saw in this building a Chinese coin, symbolizing the desire for material wealth, and among the people this building has already been nicknamed "the disk of the wasteful rich." No word yet on when the building will be open to the public.

"Stone Cave"

(Barcelona, ​​Spain)

Construction began in 1906, and in 1910 the five-story building had already become one of the most famous buildings in Barcelona. locals dubbed it "La Pedrera" - a stone cave. Indeed, the house resembled a real cave. When it was created, Gaudí basically abandoned straight lines. The five-story residential building was erected without a single corner. The architect did not make walls as load-bearing structures, but columns and vaults, which gave him unlimited scope in the layout of rooms, the ceiling heights of which are different.

In order to get enough light into each room with such a complex layout, Gaudí had to make several courtyards with light ovals. Thanks to these numerous ovals, windows and undulating balconies, the house looks like a block of solidified lava. Or on a rock with caves.

Music building

(Huainan, China)

Piano House consists of two parts depicting two instruments: a transparent violin rests on a translucent piano. The unique building was built for music lovers, but it has nothing to do with music. The violin has an escalator, and the piano has exhibition complex, in which the plans of streets and districts of the city are presented to the attention of visitors. The object was created at the suggestion local authorities authorities.

The unusual building seeks to attract the attention of Chinese residents and numerous tourists to the new developing area, which has become the most iconic object. Thanks to the continuous glazing of the facades with transparent and tinted glass, the premises of the complex receive the maximum possible natural light. And in the dark, the body of the object is hidden in the dark, leaving visible only the neon contours of the silhouettes of giant "tools". Despite its popularity, the building is often criticized as a kind of postmodern kitsch and a typical student project, in which there is much more shocking than art and functionality.

CCTV Headquarters

(Beijing, China)

The headquarters of CCTV is a skyscraper in Beijing. The building will house the headquarters of China Central Television. Construction work began on September 22, 2004 and was completed in 2009. The architects of the building are Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren (OMA).

The skyscraper with a height of 234 m consists of 44 floors. The main building is built in an unusual style and is a ring-shaped structure of five horizontal and vertical sections, forming an irregular lattice on the facade of the building with an empty center. The total floor area is 473,000 m².

The construction of the building was considered a daunting task, especially given its location in an earthquake-prone area. Because of his unusual shape it has already acquired the nickname "pants". Second building, Television Cultural Center, will house the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, a visitor center, a large public theater and exhibition space.

Ferrari World Amusement Park

(Yas Island, Abu Dhabi)

The Ferrari Theme Park is housed under a 200,000 m² roof and is the largest indoor theme park in the world. Ferrari World officially opened on November 4, 2010. It also houses the world's fastest pneumatic roller coaster– Formula Rossa.

The emblematic roof of Ferrari World was designed by Benoy architects. It was designed based on the profile of the Ferrari GT. Ramboll provided the structure design, integrated planning and urban design, geotechnical engineering, and building facade design. The total roof area is 200,000 m² with a perimeter of 2200 m, and the area of ​​the park is 86,000 m², making it the largest theme park in the world.

The roof of the building is decorated with the Ferrari logo measuring 65 by 48.5 m. This is the largest company logo ever created. 12,370 tons of steel were used to support the roof. In its center is a hundred-meter glazed funnel.

Innovative residential complex Reversible-Destiny Lofts

(Tokyo, Japan)

As conceived by the architect, the apartments in the complex he created are designed in such a way that their inhabitants are always on the alert. Uneven multi-level floors, concave and convex walls, doors that can only be entered by bending over, sockets on the ceiling - in a word, not life, but a continuous adventure. Relax in such conditions will not succeed.

A person is constantly struggling with the environment, so there is simply no time left to mope or think about sores. What is it - shock therapy or a joyful game is not yet clear. But restrained and subservient to traditions and taste, the Japanese are ready to pay twice as much for uncomfortable apartments than for comfortable and familiar ones located in the same area. It is interesting that all the "apartments" are rented, they are not for sale. Moreover, the 83-year-old Buddhist nun and popular writer Jakute Setouti, who was the first to live in a new house, claims that since the move she began to feel younger and much better.

"Slim House"

(London, Great Britain)

An unusual residential building, also known as the "Thin House", is located near the museum natural history in South Kensington (London). This house became famous throughout the world due to its wedge-shaped shape, or rather, the width of one of the sides of the building - a little more than a meter.

At first glance, the incredibly narrow structure of the building is just an optical illusion. Despite this, The Thin House has become very popular with Londoners and tourists. The reason for such an architectural idea is not accidental. South Kensington tube station train line runs right behind the house.

Due to the unusual design of the house, the apartments have a non-standard rectangular shape, and the shape of a trapezoid. For narrow rooms it is necessary to select non-standard furniture. In any case, despite a number of shortcomings, apartments in a “thin” structure are very popular among those who want to acquire new housing.

Air Force Academy Chapel

(Colorado, USA)

The striking appearance of the Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel in Colorado Springs caused some controversy when it was completed in 1963, but it is now considered one of the finest examples of modern American architecture.

The Cadet Chapel, made of steel, aluminum and glass, has 17 pointed spiers resembling jet fighters flying up into the sky. Inside there are two main levels and one basement. There is a Protestant chapel with 1200 seats, a 500-seat Catholic chapel and a 100-seat Jewish chapel. Each chapel has a separate entrance, so sermons can be held simultaneously without interfering with each other.

The Protestant chapel, which occupies the upper level, has stained-glass windows between the tetrahedral walls. The colors of the windows vary from dark to light, representing God coming from darkness into light. The altar is made of a smooth marble slab 15 feet long, shaped like a ship, symbolizing the church. The pews are designed in such a way that the end of each pew resembles the propeller of a World War I aircraft. Their backs are topped with a strip of aluminum like leading edge wing of a fighter plane. The walls of the chapel are decorated with paintings that are divided into three groups: brotherhood, flight (in honor of the Air Force) and justice.

On the lower level are multiver rooms, defined as places of worship for cadets of other religious groups. They are left without religious symbols so that they can be used by many people.

January 15, 1943 started work Pentagon- the famous headquarters of the US Department of Defense, which has become the most largest office building in the world. Today we will talk about several objects from different countries, each of which is considered the largest in its industry on Earth. It will be about residential and factory buildings, shopping centers, airports, stadiums and other world record holders.

Built in 1943, the United States Department of Defense building is still the largest office building in the world. After all, its total area is 620 thousand square meters. The Pentagon consists of five concentric pentagons connected by ten corridors. At the same time, you can walk from one point of the structure to another in a maximum of 7 minutes.

Dubai is one of the largest aviation hubs in the world. Therefore, it is not surprising that it is here that the largest air terminal on the planet is located. Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport alone has an area of ​​1,713,000 square meters, making it the second largest building on Earth.

The Izmailovo Hotel in Moscow has been holding the palm among the largest hotels in the world for more than thirty years. This complex of five 30-storey buildings has 7,500 rooms and is designed for simultaneous residence of 15,000 people. It was opened in 1980 for the Moscow Olympics.

The New South China Mall was inaugurated in 2005, only to close a few months later. The huge building with an area of ​​659,612 square meters and designed for 2,500 stores turned out to be unnecessary for the residents of the poor and relatively small city of Dongguan by Chinese standards. Now it is mothballed in anticipation of population growth and living standards in the metropolis.

The Boeing Corporation owns the world's largest factory building. Its plant in Everett near Seattle has an area of ​​399,480 square meters. In addition to assembly shops, the building houses several establishments Catering, an aviation museum, a souvenir shop and even its own theater.

It is unlikely that the people who built a huge airship hangar 60 kilometers from Berlin in 1938 suspected that they were creating the basis for the world's largest entertainment center. Nevertheless, it was here, in a building that had been empty for several decades, that the Tropical Islands Resort water park was opened in 2005. The total area of ​​this building is 70 thousand square meters.

In 2012, the largest and tallest residential building in the world was commissioned in Dubai. The height of the 101-storey skyscraper Princess Tower is 414 meters, and the total area is 171,175 sq.m. There are 763 apartments and 957 parking spaces for residents and guests of the building.

The largest private house built for a single family is a 27-storey 173-meter building in the Indian city of Mumbai. It was built in 2010 by order of local billionaire Mukesh Ambani, the richest man in the country. This skyscraper has 9 elevators, a small theater for 50 spectators, parking for 168 cars, a spa with several pools, hanging gardens and many other wonders. The building has 600 employees.

For many years, the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, was considered the richest man on the planet, until Bill Gates overtook him in the mid-90s. But even now, the Asian monarch holds several world records, for example, the largest collection of cars or the largest palace on Earth. The residence Istana Nurul Iman has 1788 halls and rooms, three times more than that of the Queen of England. The total area of ​​the building is about 200 thousand square meters.

The May 1st Stadium in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang has several records at once. For example, this is the largest stadium in the world, because 150 thousand spectators can gather in its stands at the same time. And this arena regularly hosts the Arirang musical and gymnastic show, which has a record number of participants. It is believed that about 100 thousand people are involved in this performance on a patriotic theme.

The largest building in the world by mass, but the second tallest May 6th, 2013

We are very much with you. However, I heard about this building for the first time. And it's practically a record holder! See how times change and new objects appear right before your eyes!

The Abraj Al-Beit Towers is also known as "Makkah Clock Royal Tower" and is a huge residential complex located in Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The building is unique in that it holds several world records in marine construction. Among them: the highest hotel in the world, the highest clock tower in the world and the largest clock, largest building in the world by area, the second tallest building in the world after the Burj Dubai. The building complex was built a few meters from the largest Islamic mosque - Masjid al Haram.

It is the largest (but not the tallest) structure in the world by mass, it is also the tallest structure in Saudi Arabia and the second in the world after the Burj Khalifa.

That's how it all started!

When completed, it will be the tallest freestanding tower, the tallest building in Saudi Arabia, the largest and tallest hotel in the world, with a planned height of 601 meters. The area of ​​the structure will be from 1.500.000 m2. Same as Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, in the United Arab Emirates which is also under construction. The Abraj Al Beit Towers will surpass the Emirat Park Towers in Dubai, which until then was considered the tallest hotel in the world. A complex of 6 towers, the height of the central (somewhat reminiscent of Big Ben in London) is 525 meters.

The building is located across the road south of the entrance to the Masjid al-Haram, which houses the Kaaba. The most tall tower The complex will serve as a hotel to help provide accommodation for the more than five million pilgrims who visit Mecca each year for the Hajj.

Abraj al-Beit will have a four-story shopping center and a garage that can accommodate more than a thousand cars. The residential towers will accommodate residents while two helipads and a conference center will accommodate business guests. In total, up to 100,000 people can be accommodated inside the tower. The project will use clock faces for each side of the tower hotel. The highest residential floor will be located at 450 meters, just below the clock. The dimensions of the dials are 43 × 43 m (141 × 141 m). The roof of the clock is located at a height of 530 meters above the ground. 71 meter spire will be added in upper part hours, giving it a total height of 601 meters, making it the second tallest tall building in the world after their full completion, surpassing Taipei 101 in Taiwan.

The tower will house an Islamic museum and a lunar observation center.

The complex is being built by Bin Laden Group, the largest construction company in Saudi Arabia. The clock tower is designed by the German company Premiere Composite Technology, Clock, from the Swiss engineering company Straintec. The total cost of the project is $800 million. The Bin Laden Group was founded by Mohammed bin Laden.

Tower name:
1. Zamzam - a well in Mecca, located on the territory of the Al-Haram mosque. Archangel Gabriel indicated his location to Hagar, Ismail's mother.
2. Hagar - a slave, a servant of Sarah during the childlessness of the latter, who became Abraham's concubine and gave birth to his son Ishmael.
3. Qibla - the direction towards the Kaaba. In Muslim religious practice, worshipers are required to face this direction while praying.
4. Safa - Safa and Marwa - two hills in the courtyard of the mosque al-Haram mentioned in the Koran. During the Hajj, pilgrims climb Safa Hill, turn to face the Kaaba and turn to Allah with a prayer.
5. Makam - An analogue of the Christian Ladder, a spiritual state on the path of self-improvement

More than five million pilgrims visit Mecca every year. There is a hotel in the Royal Tower that can accommodate about 100,000 people. In addition, the towers contain residential apartments, a shopping center, a garage for 800 cars and even 2 helipads.

The construction of Abraj al-Beit was completed in 2012.

In a 5 star Abraj al-Bait 858 rooms served by 76 elevators, also designed to provide quick access to the holy mosque of Al Haram for prayers.

Due to its proximity to Holy Kaaba, the holiest site of Islam, Abraj al-Bait will become a "beacon for pilgrims", guests will also be able to visit the museum of Islamic icons and art objects designed to develop the cultural heritage of the region.

To the complex Abraj al-Bait includes three luxury hotels with luxury suites, a four-story shopping mall, two helipads and a conference center.

The hotel has nine restaurants, where you can experience the taste of both Indian and Lebanese cuisine, as well as taste the grilled steak.

Washne is home to the Lunar Observatory and the Museum of Islam. It is located in a huge complex. Abraj al-Bait, which is part of the development project of King Abdulaziz, aimed at modernizing the surrounding area Mecca and Medina.

The Meccan clock is located on the Royal Clock Tower of the Abraj Al-Bait high-rise building complex, which is located almost opposite the main shrines of Islam, the Al-Haram Mosque and the Kaaba house. All the buildings of Abraj al-Bayt are five-star hotels where wealthy Muslim pilgrims on Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, stay.

It is worth telling a little more about the complex of high-rise buildings Abraj al-Beit. This complex was built by Saudi Arabia's largest construction company Saudi Binladin Group in 2012. The complex, which cost approximately $15 billion to build, is itself the largest hotel in the world, with a capacity of 100,000 guests. In addition, the complex is the most massive structure in the world and the most tall building in Saudi Arabia. The height of its Royal Clock Tower is 601 meters and in height this building is inferior to only one building in the world - the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai.

The total height of the Royal Clock Tower also includes the height of the 70-meter spire, which is crowned with an Islamic crescent. By the way, this spire is used to track the moon during the Islamic holiday of Ramadan. But, in addition to all of the above, this tower has another technological miracle - the world's largest clock, designed by the Swiss company Straintec.

Each of the four dials of this watch, located at a height of about 400 meters, has a diameter of 43 meters and consists of 98 million glass mosaic pieces. The dials, hour hands, 17 meters long, and minute hands, 22 meters long, are illuminated by two million green and white color. In addition, another 21,000 LEDs form a kind of information board, which displays calls for each of the five daily prayers. Due to the high altitude of these watches, the light from their dials and additional displays can be seen in good weather at a distance of about 30 kilometers.

The Greatest Man-Made Structures to See

© gettyimages.com

Sometimes tourists want something grandiose, majestic and unusual so much that they are ready to go around the whole world in search of the most amazing sights. We offer you to get acquainted with the list of the largest structures in the world. Perhaps you have already seen something, and some building you are just going to see.

• Great Chinese Wall(China)

Great Wall of China (China) © gettyimages.com

This building total length 6350 km, built at the turn of the XV-XVI centuries. Perhaps the Great Wall of China is the most grandiose sight of all that has ever been created by human hands. And what only people are not able to create for the sake of self-preservation.

• Taj Mahal (Agra, India)

Taj Mahal (Agra, India) © gettyimages.com

A very beautiful mosque-mausoleum, built in the middle of the 17th century on the banks of the Jamna River by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in honor of his wife. This largest building of its kind is called the Indian pearl. And not in vain, because up to 5 million tourists visit the Taj Mahal a year. Here it is, a symbol of true and eternal love!

• Machu Picchu (Peru)

Machu Picchu (Peru) © gettyimages.com

Although a lot has been written about the lost city of the Incas, and tourists are increasingly coming to see the stronghold of one of the most ancient civilizations, the complex of unique structures is still full of mysteries and secrets. And who knows if Machu Picchu will ever reveal all its secrets. Maybe ask the Temple of the Sun about it?

• Angkor Wat (Cambodia)

Angkor Wat (Cambodia) © gettyimages.com

This huge temple complex was built in the 12th century in honor of the god Vishnu. Angkor Wat, the greatest religious building, is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.

• Stonehenge (Wiltshire, England)

Stonehenge (Wiltshire, England) © gettyimages.com

To this day, scientists around the world are arguing about the purpose of this structure. Someone believed that the "stone fence" many millennia ago was the sanctuary of the Druids. Others have linked Stonehenge to astronomy. Of course, the building is very similar to astronomical observatory but there is no scientific evidence for this.

• Pyramids (Giza, Egypt)

Pyramids (Giza, Egypt) © gettyimages.com

The one-of-a-kind complex of tombs of the pharaohs is not in vain one of the seven wonders of the world. It is even difficult to imagine how all this was built in the 2nd millennium BC. e. And the interest of tourists in this greatest building of all time will not fade away, probably never.

• Eiffel Tower (Paris, France)

Eiffel Tower (Paris, France) © gettyimages.com

Everyone knows this building. Even those who have never been to France. After all, the Eiffel Tower has long been a kind of symbol of the country. By the way, this unusual building is the most visited attraction in the world. Since its construction - 1889 - the tower has been visited by about 250 million people.

• Big Ben (London, UK)

Big Ben (London, UK) © gettyimages.com

If you think that Big Ben is the name of the clock tower in the UK, then you are not quite right. In fact, Big Ben is the largest bell in the clockwork. But traditionally Big Ben is called both the clock and the tower itself.

• Chrysler Corporation Building (New York, USA)

© gettyimages.com

Yes, the Chrysler corporation is known not only for its cars, but also for its original skyscraper, which has become one of the symbols of New York. This building, 319 m high, was built in 1930, and for some time now it no longer belongs to the automobile corporation.

• Mount Rushmore National Memorial South Dakota, USA)

Mount Rushmore National Memorial (South Dakota, USA) © gettyimages.com

You may have seen Mount Rushmore in many movies and TV shows. Huge images of four US presidents are carved on a huge array of granite rock: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. The total height of the bas-relief is 18.6 m.