From a library styled like a circus to elaborately adorned churches, these whimsical edifices captivate us, showcasing the imaginative talents of their architects and designers.
San Giovanni Buttista, Switzerland
The detailed and decorative craftsmanship of the church’s pulpit. Image: Enrico Cano.
Mario Botta’s San Giovanni Buttista (Church of St. John the Baptist), designed in 1992, is located in Lavizzana, Switzerland. This church, situated in the quiet Swiss village of Mogno, serves as a testament to modern architecture and resilience. Constructed between 1994 and 1996, it replaced the original 17th-century building that was destroyed by an avalanche in 1986.
Botta’s design harmonizes with its mountainous backdrop and enhances the contemplative atmosphere. The oval shape and circular glass ceiling allow natural light to filter through. The facade is characterized by alternating stripes of white Peccia marble and gray Riveo granite, drawn from local resources.
Visitors can admire how light filters through the skylight, illuminating the arches. Image: Enrico Cano.
The glass roof symbolizes an openness to the heavens, while the robust stone walls, narrowing from two meters at the base to fifty centimeters at the top, represent fortitude and refuge. The interplay of transparency and strength embodies Botta’s vision of bridging the divine with humanity. Beyond being a place of worship, the San Giovanni Battista Church stands as an architectural marvel exemplifying Botta’s expertise in merging traditional materials with contemporary forms, creating spaces that resonate both with history and modernity.
Shenzhen Zhongshuge, China
Worm-like designs make up the bookcases at Shenzhen Zhongshuge Library. Image: X-LIVING.
Architect Li Xiang founded the design studio X-LIVING in 2011 in Shanghai, gaining recognition for blending architecture with art to create inspiring, memorable environments. Their designs often incorporate dreamy colors, fluid shapes, and stunning details, resulting in whimsical, surreal spaces that offer guests captivating spatial experiences.
This library features a whimsical design reminiscent of a funfair at Shenzhen Zhongshuge. Image: X-LIVING.
X-LIVING’s portfolio includes numerous bookstores and retail spaces, including the Beijing Zhongshuge Lafayette Store, Chongqing Zhongshuge Bookstore, Yangzhou Zhongshuge, and the renowned Dujiangyan Zhongshuge. A standout project is the Shenzhen Zhongshuge bookstore, which showcases a spectacular red and white spiral installation dominating the interior, visible from outside like an art piece.
More playful displays and striking designs abound. Image: X-LIVING.
This design pays tribute to the founding members of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. Li Xiang emphasizes that her goal extends beyond creating visually appealing environments; she aims to develop entire worlds within spaces that provide visitors with new perspectives and creative outlets. This approach ensures that X-LIVING’s projects are not only visually attractive but also emotionally resonant, encouraging visitors to engage deeply with their surroundings.
Futuruscope Poitiers, France
The stunning architecture of Futuroscope Poitiers in France. Image: Tripadvisor.com
Futuroscope, a state-of-the-art theme park dedicated to multimedia, cinematography, and audiovisual technology, is located near Poitiers, France. Since its inception in 1987, the park has welcomed nearly 35 million visitors, including 1.6 million in the year 2007.
The space-age aesthetic of Futuroscope Poitiers’ exterior. Image: Publicforms.
The park features innovative glass architecture alongside multiple immersive 3D and 4D cinematic experiences. These cutting-edge structures house attractions and events unparalleled elsewhere. Located in the Vienne department, Futuruscope has emerged as a significant tourist hotspot and cultural landmark, representing a hallmark of modern theme park design through its inventive combination of entertainment and technology.
Basque Health Department Building, Spain
The crystal-like facade of the Basque Health Department Headquarters. Image: Aleix Bagué
Designed by Coll-Barreu Arquitectos and completed in 2008, the Basque Health Department Headquarters is a prominent structure located at the intersection of two main thoroughfares within Bilbao’s Ensanche district. This site constituted the last undeveloped area within the city’s administrative and commercial sector.
Besides following stringent urban regulations, the building boasts a unique double-glazed, multi-faceted glass facade that enhances sound insulation, fire safety, and energy efficacy. This innovative design minimizes the necessity for conventional air conditioning, reducing energy consumption while improving indoor air quality.
The interior showcases numerous windows and zigzagging spaces. Image: Aleix Bagué
The interior is organized across two institutional levels and includes seven open-plan office floors. Services and vertical access are concentrated along a vertical spine next to the longest wall. The first basement features an auditorium and foyer, while the double-height tower at the corner houses the boardroom. Three levels of car parking and a separate basement for archives are located underneath. The facade’s folded glass elements capture the vibrant energy of Bilbao, creating dynamic reflections that vary with time of day, season, and viewpoint.
MVRDV Valley, Amsterdam
An intriguing aerial view of the MVRDV Valley project. Image: Ossip van Duivenbode.
Valley is a mixed-use development designed by MVRDV, located in Amsterdam’s Zuidas business district. Completed in 2021, it features three buildings ranging from 100 meters upwards, encompassing offices, retail spaces, cultural institutions, and residential units. The design distinguishes itself from the surrounding corporate landscape with its terraced facade, adorned with natural stone and various plants.
Generous terraced balconies adorned with greenery. Image: Ossip van Duivenbode.
Landscape architect Piet Oudolf carefully curated around 13,500 plants to create a “green valley” that flows through the buildings, enhancing biodiversity and providing residents with access to private outdoor spaces. Valley was awarded the 2021 Emporis Skyscraper Award as the most significant new skyscraper globally, illustrating its innovative design.
The Silo, Copenhagen
The Brutalist-style facade of The Silo in Copenhagen. Image: Rasmus Hjortshøj
The Silo, an impressive 17-storey building located in Copenhagen’s Nordhavn area, serves as a prime example of innovative adaptive reuse in architecture. The Danish firm COBE transformed the former grain storage facility into a mixed-use development comprising 39 unique residential apartments and public amenities. The design honors the building’s industrial heritage by retaining the original concrete interior while incorporating a new, angular, galvanized steel facade that enhances energy efficiency and imparts a contemporary appearance.
The Silo has received numerous architectural accolades since its completion in 2017. Image: Rasmus Hjortshøj
Completed in 2017, The Silo has garnered several international awards, including the Azure AZ Award for multi-storey residential architecture and the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat’s Best Tall Building Europe for 2018. This project exemplifies how thoughtful design can adapt existing structures to fit contemporary requirements, playing a vital role in transforming Nordhavn from an industrial area into a vibrant urban neighborhood.
The Bull @ Zabb e Lee Cooking School, Thailand
The flowing roof design distinguishes this culinary school from its rural environment. Image: Chiang Mai Life Architects.
Situated in Don Kaeo, Saraphi District, Chiang Mai, Thailand, the Bull @ Zabb e Lee Cooking School is a bamboo pavilion designed by Chiangmai Life Architects. It serves as the third addition to the Zabb e Lee cooking school’s facilities and was completed in 2023 following the success of previous bamboo structures.
The pavilion’s U-shaped design utilizes the constrained area between a large tree and a pond, resulting in a dynamic form reminiscent of a bull’s head with upward-curving horns. These “horns” create inviting entrances to three distinct spaces for cooking, dining, and food prep. Apart from its external appearance, the interior features dome-like chambers held up by interlocking bamboo arches, enhancing the sense of space. Evening lighting complements the warm, serene atmosphere created by the natural bamboo materials.
A cozy yet spacious atmosphere achieved with natural materials. Image: Chiang Mai Life Architects.
Beyond its visual appeal, the pavilion maintains a carbon footprint of zero or negative, as it utilizes bamboo, a renewable resource that absorbs carbon dioxide during its growth, aligning with sustainable architectural practices.
The National Museum, Qatar
The captivating facade of The National Museum, Qatar. Image: Arc Magazine.
Opened in March 2019, the National Museum of Qatar is a celebration of innovative architecture and cultural appreciation. Designed by Pritzker Prize laureate Jean Nouvel, the museum’s structure is inspired by the desert rose, a naturally-occurring crystal formation that symbolizes Qatar’s arid landscape.
The museum’s striking interlocking discs create a dynamic design that provides practical shading while enhancing visual interest, protecting visitors from the desert heat. Spanning 430,000 square feet on a 1.5 million-square-foot site, the museum features connected areas that guide visitors through the nation’s rich history and rapid growth.
The interior of The National Museum, Qatar features curvilinear walls and ceilings. Image: National Museum Qatar.
With a 2.7-kilometer exhibition pathway narrating the nation’s geological and cultural evolution, from prehistoric times to its emergence as a cutting-edge society, the galleries are illuminated by Licht Kunst Licht’s lighting design, showcasing the exhibits and architecture unobtrusively.
Besides being a cultural landmark, the National Museum of Qatar represents an architectural masterpiece that captures the heritage of the Qatari people, linking the past with the present.
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