Architecture

2 World Trade Center (200 Greenwich Street) 2 World Trade Center An encyclopedia entry on 2 World Trade Center—the planned office tower at 200 Greenwich Street in Lower Manhattan, its place in the World Trade Center rebuilding, design evolution,…

3 World Trade Center (175 Greenwich Street) — overview, design, and significance 3 World Trade Center A modern office skyscraper at 175 Greenwich Street in Lower Manhattan, opened in 2018 as part of the World Trade Center reconstruction. Overview, design features, history, uses, an…

4 World Trade Center (150 Greenwich Street) 4 World Trade Center 4 World Trade Center is a modern office skyscraper in Lower Manhattan, completed as part of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex. It contains retail at street level and office fl…

432 Park Avenue A slender, supertall residential skyscraper on Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, known for its minimalist design, luxury condominiums, and prominence in New York's skyline.

5 World Trade Center (130 Liberty Street) 5 World Trade Center Planned site at 130 Liberty Street in Lower Manhattan. Once home to the Deutsche Bank Building damaged on 9/11, the parcel has seen multiple redevelopment proposals but no final, b…

63 Building (63 City) — Seoul skyscraper and cultural complex 63 Building Landmark skyscraper on Yeouido in Seoul, completed 1985. Noted for its gold-colored facade, mixed-use program (offices, aquarium, observatory, IMAX) and symbolic role in South Kore…

7 World Trade Center A 52‑story office tower in Lower Manhattan, completed in 2006 as part of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex. It replaced an earlier 1987 building that collapsed on September 11…

731 Lexington Avenue (Bloomberg Tower) 731 Lexington Avenue Bloomberg Tower at 731 Lexington Avenue is a 246 m (806 ft) mixed‑use skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, completed in 2005 and known for housing Bloomberg L.P. offices and upper‑leve…

875 North Michigan Avenue (formerly the John Hancock Center) 875 North Michigan Avenue Mixed-use supertall skyscraper on Chicago's Magnificent Mile, noted for its X-braced exterior, tubular structural system, observation deck and mixed residential, office and retail…

Accessibility: ensuring equal access to environments, information and services Accessibility Accessibility enables people with disabilities to use buildings, products, media and digital services on an equal basis. It covers physical design, communications, technology and l…

Adobe (mudbrick): traditional earth construction, types, and uses Adobe Adobe is an ancient building material of sun-dried soil and organic fibers. This article explains its composition, properties, history, construction methods, advantages, limitation…

Adrian Smith — American architect known for landmark skyscrapers Adrian Smith (architect) Overview of Adrian Smith, his background, major skyscraper designs, firms, design approach, and notable projects including Burj Khalifa and Jeddah Tower.

Agustín Ross Cultural Centre (Centro Cultural Agustín Ross) Agustín Ross Cultural Centre Historic late‑19th‑century seaside building in Pichilemu, Chile. Former casino and hotel created by Agustín Ross; today serves as the town's cultural centre hosting exhibitions and…

Airport Terminal: Design, Function, Types, and Notable Examples Airport terminal Comprehensive overview of airport terminals: purpose, layout, passenger processing, baggage and security systems, architectural variations, types of terminal arrangements, accessib…

Akashi Kaikyō Bridge (Pearl Bridge) Akashi Kaikyō Bridge A detailed overview of the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge: its design, dimensions, history, uses, and why it is notable as the world's longest central span suspension bridge.

Albert Bridge Albert Bridge is a historic road bridge across the River Thames in London, noted for its hybrid engineering, decorative appearance and Grade II* listing; the name also identifies o…

Aldo Rossi Italian architect and theorist whose writings and buildings shaped neo-rationalist ideas of typology, memory and the city; winner of the 1990 Pritzker Prize.

Allerton Hotel (Warwick Allerton Hotel Chicago) Allerton Hotel Historic 25‑story hotel on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Noted for its setback-and-tower design prompted by the 1923 zoning law and designated a Chicago Landmark in 1998.

Almas Tower — Dubai high-rise for commodities and commerce Almas Tower Almas Tower is a 363 m, 68-floor commercial skyscraper in Dubai's Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Completed in 2009, it houses offices and secure facilities for commodities trading and is a…

Aloha Stadium (Honolulu) Aloha Stadium Aloha Stadium is a multiuse outdoor stadium in Halawa near Honolulu, Hawaii. Opened in 1975 with about 50,000 seats, it hosts the University of Hawaiʻi football team, bowl games, c…

Ambulatory (architectural element in churches and cloisters) Ambulatory An ambulatory is a covered walking passage in monastic cloisters or around the east end of large churches and cathedrals, used for processions, circulation, and access to chapels.

American Airlines Center Multi-purpose indoor arena in the Victory Park neighborhood of Dallas, Texas, home to major professional sports teams and a wide range of concerts and cultural events.

American Bank Center (Corpus Christi, Texas) American Bank Center A multi‑use waterfront complex in Corpus Christi, Texas, combining a convention center, an 8,156‑seat arena and the Selena Auditorium for concerts, sports, conferences and communit…

American Red Cross National Headquarters Historic Washington, D.C. headquarters of the American Red Cross, built 1915–1917 and noted for monumental Tiffany stained-glass windows; designated a National Historic Landmark in…

Amphitheatre: design, history and modern uses Amphitheatre An amphitheatre is a circular or oval performance space with ascending seating. This article explains its structure, historical development from antiquity, typical uses, and differ…

Anglo-Saxon architecture: forms, materials, and surviving legacy Anglo-Saxon architecture Architecture produced in England and parts of Wales from the mid-5th century until 1066, noted for timber buildings, simple churches, and distinctive masonry details preserved in a…

Antonio da Sangallo the Younger Italian Renaissance architect and military engineer (1484–1546), noted for work on St. Peter's, Palazzo Farnese, fortifications and a large corpus of architectural drawings.

Aon Center (name shared by two major U.S. office towers) Aon Center Aon Center is the name used for two prominent American office skyscrapers. This article describes their locations, architectural traits, naming history, uses, and how to distinguis…

Aon Center (Chicago) Aon Center is a prominent 83‑story office skyscraper in the Chicago Loop, completed in 1973. Noted for its white exterior and mid‑20th century design, it has served multiple corpor…

Apartment (residential unit) Apartment A self-contained housing unit within a larger building. Covers types, ownership and tenancy arrangements, typical features and services, historical development, and variations worl…

Apse (architectural feature) Apse An apse is a semicircular or polygonal recess, often roofed by a semi-dome, forming the liturgical or focal termination of a building. Common in Roman, Byzantine and medieval churc…

Aqua (skyscraper) Aqua is a 250 m, 82‑story mixed‑use skyscraper in Chicago completed in 2009. Designed by Jeanne Gang, it is noted for its undulating concrete balconies and civic presence on the la…

Arata Isozaki — Japanese architect and influential designer Arata Isozaki Arata Isozaki (born 23 July 1931) is a major Japanese architect whose work spans late modernism to postmodern and global practice. Known for cultural buildings and urban projects,…

Arcade (architecture) Arcade An arcade is a covered passage or series of arches forming a walkway or gallery in buildings and streetscapes; used in classical, medieval and modern architecture for circulation,…

Architectural Arches: Forms, Mechanics, and Uses Arch Overview of architectural arches: forms, structural mechanics, materials and construction (keystone, voussoirs), common uses in buildings, bridges and arcades, and natural rock arc…

Arch bridge A bridge whose primary load path follows a curved arch, transferring forces into abutments; historically built in masonry and today made in steel or concrete for viaducts and long…

Arch, Switzerland Arch is a municipality in the Seeland administrative district of the canton of Bern, Switzerland, known for its rural character, local services, and connections to nearby towns and…

Architect: role, skills, history, and significance Architect Overview of what architects do, their training and tools, historical development, common responsibilities and examples of notable practitioners and resources.

Architecture: Art, Science, and the Design of Built Environments Architecture Comprehensive overview of architecture: principles, components, history, professions, and common building types, with examples of planned cities and the relationship to engineering…

Architecture of Singapore: history, styles, and urban development Architecture of Singapore Survey of Singapore's built environment, tracing colonial-era shophouses and civic buildings to modern skyscrapers, public housing, tropical adaptations, conservation and sustainab…

Archway, London — district and transport hub in Islington Archway, London Archway is a north London district in the London Borough of Islington, centred on a busy transport interchange. It combines mixed residential neighbourhoods, notable landmarks and…

Arena: design, history, uses and distinctions Arena An arena is a purpose-built venue with seating encircling a central performance or competition area. This article explains its design, history, uses, and how it differs from stadiu…

Arena da Baixada (Estádio Joaquim Américo Guimarães) Arena da Baixada Football stadium in the Água Verde district of Curitiba, Brazil. Opened 1914, home of Clube Atlético Paranaense, renovated for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and seating about 28,327 spec…

Arundel Castle — medieval fortress and ducal seat in West Sussex Arundel Castle Arundel Castle is a medieval castle in Arundel, West Sussex, England. Centred on an 11th-century motte, it has been a ducal seat for centuries, features restored historic interiors…

Ashtown Castle (Phoenix Park, Dublin) — history and restoration Ashtown Castle A medieval towerhouse in Dublin's Phoenix Park, Ashtown Castle retains a restored tower core discovered in 1978. Overview of its architecture, recorded uses, restoration and public…

Assisted living: housing and support for adults who need daily help Assisted living Assisted living provides housing, personal care, and supervision for adults who cannot live independently. Facilities promote dignity, privacy and independence while offering varyi…

Astrodome (Houston) Astrodome The Astrodome is a pioneering domed sports stadium in Houston, Texas, opened in 1965 as the first large-scale, multi-purpose domed arena, noted for its architecture, artificial tur…

Aswan Low Dam (Old Aswan Dam) — history, design and legacy Aswan Low Dam The Aswan Low Dam (Old Aswan Dam) on the Nile at Aswan, Egypt: its construction, design characteristics, role in irrigation and power, later modifications and connection to the Asw…