Architecture Retired

Saint Basil commonly known as Saint Basil's Cathedral, is a former church in Red Square in Moscow, Russia. The building, now a museum, is officially known as the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat (Russian: Собор Покрова пресвятой Богородицы, что на Рву) or Pokrovsky Cathedral (Russian: Покровский собор). It was built from 1555–61 on orders from Ivan the Terrible and commemorates the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan. A world famous landmark, it has been the hub of the city's growth since the 14th century and was the city's tallest building until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in 1600.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, known worldwide for its unintended tilt to one side, is the freestanding bell tower of the cathedral in the Italian city of Pisa. Work on the ground floor of the white marble campanile began on August 8, 1173.

This massive stone amphitheater was commissioned around A.D. 70 by Emperor Vespasian as a gift to the Roman people. In A.D. 80, his son Titus opened the Colosseum with 100 days of games, including gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights. The colosseum remained in use for more than four centuries.

Is a Lutheran church in Dresden, the capital of the German state of Saxony. Built in the 18th century, the church was destroyed in World War II and rebuilt starting in 1994 after the reunification of Germany.

Located on the right bank of the Seine at the centre of a dodecagonal configuration of twelve radiating avenues. It was commissioned in 1806 after the victory at Austerlitz by Emperor Napoleon at the peak of his fortunes. Laying the foundations alone took two years and, in 1810, when Napoleon entered Paris from the west with his bride Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria, he had a wooden mock-up of the completed arch constructed.

The Neuschwanstein Castle is located in Bavaria near the town of Fussen and was Walt Disney’s inspiration to create the Magic Kingdom. Neuschwanstein literally means “New Swan Stone” which is a reference to “the Swan Knight”; one of the characters in an opera by the composer Richard Wagner. King Ludwig II began construction of the castle in 1869. Today his fairy tale castle stands as the most visited castle in Germany welcoming more than 1,300,000 tourists per year.

Most of these churches are recognizable by their Carpenter Gothic design which features timber frame construction, stain glass windows, detailed trim and pointed arched windows and doors. For generations, these churches have served as a second home for many Americans and were the cornerstones of many rural communities.

Is a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. Also known as the Millennium Wheel, its official name was originally the British Airways London Eye, then the Merlin Entertainments London Eye, between January 2011 and August 2014, the EDF Energy London Eye and is now called the London Eye.

Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London though today the name also refers to the clock and the clock tower. The bell weighs almost 14 tons and each clock face is 23 feet in diameter. It became fully operational on September 7th, 1859 and is today one of the most prominent symbols of London standing at 316 feet high. The clock requires winding three times per week and pennies are periodically added or removed from the clock of pendulum to maintain its accuracy.

Is a temple located on the Athenian Acropolis in Greece and dedicated to the maiden goddess Athena whom the people of Athens considered their patron deity. Construction began in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the height of its power and was completed in 438 BC. The Parthenon is the most recognizable enduring symbol of ancient Greece, Athenian democracy and western civilization.

The Brandenburg Gate is the only remaining gate through which Berlin was once entered. It was commissioned by King William II of Prussia as a sign of peace. The design is based upon the gateway to the Acropolis in Athens. Atop the gate is the Quadriga, a chariot drawn by four horses driven by Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory.

Is the birthplace of America. The Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were both debated and signed inside this building. Also, George Washington was appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in 1775 and the Articles of Confederation were adopted in 1781.

The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York opened in 1986. Named after Senator Jacob K. Javits (US Senator District 1957-1981), the glass-enclosed building was designed by I.M. Pei & Partners. Javits is the busiest convention center in the United States attracting top tradeshows and hosting more than 2.5 million visitors annually. In 2013 the Center completed a major renovation that includes a new roof, replacement of the exterior glass wall, upgrades to the mechanical and electrical systems and interior reconfigurations. Designed by Javits II Architecture, LLC, the renovation has enhanced the visitor experience and the building’s operational efficiency while remaining true to the original design concepts.

The Tower of the Americas is a 750-foot observation tower/restaurant on the southeastern edge of Downtown San Antonio, Texas, USA. The tower was built as the theme structure of the 1968 World's Fair. It was the tallest observation tower in the United States until 1996 when the Las Vegas Stratosphere Tower was completed.

Located on 17 acres overlooking the Potomac River in Washington, DC, was opened in 1971. It is America’s living memorial to President Kennedy as well as the nation’s busiest arts facility, presenting more than 2,000 performances each year.

The Washington Monument, located in Washington, D.C., was built to commemorate General George Washington, the first president of the USA. When completed in 1848 it was the world’s tallest stone structure until the completion of the Eiffel Tower in Paris in 1889.

The Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay crosses the Sacramento River in the heart of Redding, California. Designed by world-renowned architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, the bridge links the 300-acre north and south campuses of Turtle Bay Exploration Park. It has served as the downtown entrance to Redding’s extensive Sacramento River Trail system since it’s July 4, 2004 opening. The bridge celebrates human creativity and ingenuity, important themes of Turtle Bay. The steel, glass, and granite span evokes a sense of weightlessness and the translucent, non-skid decking provides for spectacular viewing at night, while being environmentally sensitive. The pylon, cable stays, and glass deck preserve salmon-spawning habitat beneath the bridge, while encouraging public appreciation for the river.

This iconic structure located in Auckland City, New Zealand is an observation and telecommunications tower and is also part of the SKYCITY Auckland casino complex. Standing at a height of 328 meters (1,076 feet) it is the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere and attracts over 500,000 visitors per year.

Arc de Triomphe was inspired by Napoleon who after his Austerlitz victory on December 2nd 1805 said to his soldiers, "You will return home through archs of triumph". The monument, located in Paris, stands 50 meters high by 45 meters wide by 22 meters deep

The Burj Khalifa is located in Dubai and is currently the tallest structure in the world at 2,723ft. Construction began on September 21st 2004 and it officially opened on January 4th 2010.

The Burj Al Arab (Tower of the Arabs) is a 5-star luxury hotel located on an artificial island in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At 1,053 feet, it is the fourth tallest hotel in the world. The unique shape is designed to mimic the sail of a ship.

Taipei formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, is a landmark skyscraper located in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. The building ranked officially as the world's tallest from 2004 until the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010. In July 2011, the building was awarded LEED Platinum certification, the highest award in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system and became the tallest and largest green building in the world. Taipei 101 was designed by C.Y. Lee & partners and constructed primarily by KTRT Joint Venture. The construction was finished in 2004. The tower has served as an icon of modern Taiwan ever since its opening. Fireworks launched from Taipei 101 feature prominently in international New Year's Eve broadcasts and the structure appears frequently in travel literature and international media.