Architectural Icons That Redefine Global Beauty

▎The Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California

This independent, non-profit, scientific research institute was designed by architect Louis Kahn, working with researcher Jonas Salk, who is most well known as the developer of the polio vaccine.

Salk and Kahn wanted to design a beautiful campus in order to attract the world’s best researchers. Both men were descendants of Russian Jewish parents who had immigrated to the U.S., and their commonality bonded them much closer than that of just of professional collaboration. This connection of friendship can be seen in the design that resulted from their collaboration.

In 1991, the Salk Institute was designated as a historic landmark.

▎The Lotus Temple in New Delhi, India

This architectural marvel was opened in 1986 as a continental House of Worship for the Bahá’í community, a worldwide religion that believes in the unity of mankind and equality of all its people. It is one of eight edifices of its kind throughout the world, all of which strive to embody the concepts of harmony and oneness in their design.

The spectacular place of worship is composed of free-standing marble “petals”, which are arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides. Because its inspiration from the Lotus flower is apparent in the design, it is often referred to as the Lotus Temple.

Today, the site has been the recipient of numerous architecture awards and is one of the most visited buildings in the world.

Owing to the astonishing number of visitors to the Temple, a new metro line with a stop in close proximity was opened this year.

▎The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

This historic mosque, also called Sultanahmet Camii, is known as the Blue Mosque because of the blue-coloured tiles that surround the interior walls. The mosque was built in the early 1600s, and in the Islamic style of that time, is characterised by its ornate calligraphy and tall minarets.

Besides being a tourist attraction, the Blue Mosque is still a functioning place of worship, and it closes to visitors for half an hour during the five daily prayers so worshippers may find peace and calm while they pray. Even while open to tourists, visitors often find people praying inside, and so are asked to remain quiet and respectful.

▎Basilica of our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukri, Ivory Coast

This Catholic basilica in the capital city of the Ivory Coast is the largest church in the world, with an area of 30,000 square meters that can accommodate 18,000 worshippers. The designs of the dome and its encircling plaza are inspired by the Basilica of Saint Peter in Vatican City.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace was opened in 1990 by Pope John Paul II. Ivory Coast President Félix Houphouët-Boigny at the time believed the site would become a place of pilgrimage for African Catholics.

Om onvervangbaar te zijn, moet je altijd anders zijn.
Er zijn fascinerende beelden hier, en de fascinerende dag van samen!  xo
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Per essere insostituibili bisogna sempre essere diverso.
Ci sono immagini affascinanti qui, e l’affascinante giornata di insieme!  xo KanikaChic