My Architecture Loves

Hi hi! My name is Charley McConnell, and this is my first official blog post on my new website! I am very excited to share thoughts, stories, and insights on topics that inspire and challenge me, and spark curiosity. This first post marks the beginning of a journey, and I hope it becomes a place for connection, learning, and maybe even a little silly fun along the way.

As a student working towards an architecture degree, I thought it would be fitting to talk about some phenomenal architectural feats from across the world, and include some of my favorites as well, and why they are so great for what they are. Architecture is way more than just the art and science of designing buildings; it’s a sign of the time in culture, innovation, and imagination. Most of the people I keep around me look at a building, think it’s just a boring structure, or admire it for a couple of seconds, and move on with their days. When I look at the buildings I am surrounded by, I see every day, I see the history behind their designs, the hurdles it takes to get designs approved, and the small strokes of genius put into those designs, and that is so fascinating to me in such a nerdy way. Architecture tells stories about the people who built it and the societies they lived in. In this first blog post, I will explore some of the most interesting and awe-inspiring architectural feats from around the world, spanning centuries and continents. Also, these picks I chose to talk about are not necessarily my top of all time, just a few that I think deserve the hype. 

The Sagrada Família – Barcelona, Spain

I think everyone expected this structure to be on the list. It is on everyone’s bucket list of sights to see and favorite architecture lists. Designed by Francisco de Paula del Villar and architect Antoni Gaudí, construction began in 1882 and continues to this day, making it one of the longest-running architectural projects in history. With four out of five towers being completed as of 2023, the fifth and final tower of Jesus Christ is set to be finished THIS YEAR in 2025, which is super exciting for architectural history. If I ever get the opportunity to see the Basilica in person, I think I would experience cosmic vertigo with how large-scale it truly is. Cosmic vertigo is an overwhelming experience of realizing the unimaginable vastness of our universe and understanding just how small a blip we are in time and space. I get this way when I am surrounded by huge mountains, so I would definitely feel the same if I saw this structure in person. 

https://sagradafamilia.org/en/history-of-the-temple 

Fallingwater – Pennsylvania, USA

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935, the house is built over a waterfall in the forests of southwestern Pennsylvania. Wright was commissioned for this house by a man named Edgar Kaufmann as a weekend house for his family. Construction was completed by the end of December 1937. There was also a guest house added onto the property, which was completed in 1939. In the era of political discourse our country was in at the time, there were conferences in Pennsylvania about protecting Jews still trapped in Germany, and something interesting is that Albert Einstein was in attendance at these conferences and actually invited by Kaufmann to stay at the Fallingwater guest house. Fallingwater opened to the public for tours in 1964 and thousands of people visit it every year to this day. The design of the beautiful house includes outdoor terraces, a chimney without any support, glass walls, and furniture also designed by Frank Lloyd Wright himself. The most prominent part of this design is obviously the gorgeous waterfall at the front of the house, elegantly connecting the structure with calming nature. 

https://fallingwater.org/ 

The Dancing House – Prague, Czech Republic

The Dancing House in Prague is a playful example of deconstructivist architecture. Designed by Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry, the building was completed in 1996. The building consists of two towers, one static and one dynamic, and is designed after being inspired by the dancing skills of a famous film couple. The curved lines and irregular shapes challenge conventional architectural norms and create a sense of movement and fluidity. The building is also called Fred and Ginger and includes a hotel, the Dancing House Hotel, a gallery, and a restaurant that allows for views of the surrounding city of Prague. This design reminds me of something out of Dr. Seuss, and I think that is why I like it so much. It challenges the architectural norms in a fun way that sparks conversation, and that is all I aspire to create as a future architect. 

Apparently, the Dancing Building was controversial because many believe it does not fit in with the existing Gothic-style architecture, which is famous in Prague. The controversies have significantly died down since the building was constructed, and it is now seen as a beloved work of art. 99 concrete panels that support the shape of the building, each one being a different shape and size. There is an interesting metal shape sitting at the top of the building that is nicknamed Medusa, to resemble a hat. Most of the floors are used as office spaces and the Dancing Hotel’s rooms. 

https://www.dancinghouse.cz/en 

Hungarian Parliament Building – Budapest, Hungary

The Hungarian Parliament Building was built over the course of 17 years from 1885 to 1902 and has become a symbol of Hungary. The project was commissioned with the intention of using Hungarian materials, craftsmen, and manufacturers, and the flora of the Carpathian Basin as the inspiration for the decorative elements. About 40 kilograms of 22-23 karat gold were used for the building's decorations, and absolutely nothing was spared when it came to making this parliament building come to life, full of Hungarian pride. Because it is a government building, there are symbols and political/historical messaging throughout the design, which adds even more depth and thought behind the design. To me, this building looks like something straight out of the Harry Potter universe, and a dragon or something could come flying around it at any moment. 

Tianjin Binhai Library - Tianjin, China

Located in mainland China, this is probably one of the most interesting library layouts I have seen. The library has floor-to-ceiling terraced bookshelves that can store up to 1.2 million books, and a large, luminated sphere in the center that serves as an auditorium with a capacity for 110 people. It was designed by Dutch firm MVRDV and opened in October 2017. Looking at all the book shelving, I do wonder how visitors access books that are very high up, even reaching the ceiling, but there are still areas for relaxing, computer areas, and any other typical library spaces for visitors to explore. What I find interesting is that this project was the fastest project realized to date at MVRDV, spanning only 3 years from concept designs to opening. This limited the implementation of access to the upper bookshelves. The decision to cut the access to the upper bookshelves was against MVRDV’s advice, but was done anyway, and the upper shelves are now just full of posters of books to make it appear full until future designs are implemented. I personally think this was a bad decision to go against the designer's advice, especially because, looking at the book posters, the design feels incomplete and rushed, but still very beautiful nonetheless.