Awesome Architecture

The linear windows of Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic structures are the perfect subject for Marc Hagan-Guirey’s book, which comes with 14 cut-and-fold models based on buildings from the Frederick C. Robie House to Taliesin West and the Johnson Wax building.

Singapore-based Autobahn Motors turned its showroom into a 15-story luxury car vending machine. Even though it’s more of a marketing and space-saving stunt, the delivery system actually works, and is controlled through a mobile app.

Ten Fold Engineering is working on pre-built structures that unfold within minutes on site, without the need for a foundation or even laborers. Their buildings are based on large levers that fold down to small volumes and unfold in a variety of ways.

If you’ve ever lived in a big city, you’ve probably spent a meaningful amount of time wandering underground tunnels on your way to or from subway trains. In Return’s engrossing short film takes us on a hypnotic ride through the public walkways of the London Underground.

“Everything here has at least two purposes.” Architect Zui Ng designed and partially built his own home, intending to make a modern version of the shotgun house. He ended up saving a lot of money while maximizing his environment by carefully considering practically every part.

From iconic museums to a bed and breakfast shaped like a dog, Mental Floss trivia master John Green welcomes us to the salon to school us on some truly strange and wonderful structures worth visiting around the globe. Also, we just love to say the word “googie.”

A wonderful addition to the LEGO Architecture series, this 744-piece kit replicates the cylindrical structures of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, a true icon of New York modernist architecture. The finished model measures 7″(w) x 5″(d) x 4″(h).

Mumbai-based MaterialImmaterial makes these awesome little cast concrete sculptures which resemble tiny, squared-off buildings. They’re available individually, or sold in a set of nine with a wooden display base.

This video of Max Miller walking in a see-through swimming pool is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. A plexiglass section of the swimming pool is cantilevered off the roof of Houston’s Market Square Tower 44 stories (appx. 500 feet) above ground level.

Beyond the Brick shows off Claus-Marc Hahn’s astounding model of the Red Keep from Game of Thrones. He used over 125,000 bricks, and a multiple EV3 servo motors to mechanize the build, so the whole thing turns, its towers move up and down, and their cupolas spin.

Joshua Smith makes incredibly detailed scale models based on real world buildings, streets or objects that capture the grit and grime of urban life. He recreates everything including the caked dirt on roofs and walls, fallen leaves and even bits of trash. (Photos: Andrew Beveridge)

Aluminum and brass desktop sculptures which celebrate landmarks around the globe. Creator Konstantin Kolesov says they’re meant as a modern take on travel souvenirs, but we think they’re cool even if you’ve never visited the locations. Each comes with a wood base.

Revival Supply Co. miniscule dwellings can be put together by two people using an 11mm wrench about 4 hours, and flat-packed in 45 minutes. It’s got enough space for a queen mattress in its lofted bedroom, a shower/toilet area, and can be wired, plumbed, and insulated.

Apis Cor has developed a giant 3D printer which can be brought to a construction site, and can output the structural components of a 100 square meter (~1076 sq. ft.) dwelling in about 24 hours, and for only about $10,000. Learn more about the process here.

EcoCapsule’s bubble-shaped off-grid living spaces contain a small bedroom, work area, kitchen, storage, and bathroom. Solar panels on the roof and an external windmill supply electricity, and its shape is designed to maximize rainwater capture. (Thanks Linda!)

LEGO presents three new city construction sets in its Architecture Series. Builders can now create models of iconic structures from Chicago, Illinois, Sydney, Australia, and London, England, including the Willis (Sears) Tower, the Sydney Opera House, and the London Eye ferris wheel.

Designed by nonprofit Architects for Society to provide rapid, dignified, sustainable housing for disaster relief and other humanitarian efforts, Hex Houses can be set up quickly and easily, and can be linked together to create to provide long-term communities for those in need.

Oscar Boyson traveled around the world to interview people working to create new cities or improve existing ones under a humane and optimistic mindset: that real estate companies and governments will build cities not for buildings or cars, but for people.

Artist Mister Mourao created this series of intricate pen and ink drawings on wood, each of which envisions a circular building that has no beginning or end. Most of the pieces have been sold, but you can still find a couple of the originals in his shop.

Interactive design firm Eness developed these modular LUMES light-emitting wall panels. They can be veneered with various materials including fabric, acrylic, and even blended into wood walls. This particular piece is installed at Cabrini Hospital in Malvern, Australia.

Real Engineering explores the architecture and technology which have allowed for the construction of such mega skyscrapers as the 2716 foot-tall Burj Khalifa and the 1761 foot-tall Taipei 101, and how they resist massive forces from wind vortexes.

Do you want sunlight streaming in your living room all day long? Do you hate the glare on your computer screen? What you need is a house like Jarle Hegerland’s, which was built in Norway on a giant turntable to control the light coming in – and the view out of the windows.

We absolutely love builder Thommy92’s concept design for LEGO’s Architecture series, based on Tom Wright’s iconic, sailboat-like design of Dubai’s swanky Burj Al Arab hotel. Help get it produced with a vote on LEGO Ideas.