Architecture

Tribune East Tower (proposed Chicago skyscraper) Tribune East Tower Tribune East Tower is a proposed 1,422-foot mixed-use tower on the eastern edge of the Tribune Tower site in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, planned as a major addition to th…

Tribune Tower (Chicago) — Neo‑Gothic landmark and repository of world fragments Tribune Tower Neo‑Gothic skyscraper on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, long the home of the Chicago Tribune. Noted for its Gothic crown and embedded stones from famous world landmarks.

Trump International Hotel and Tower (Chicago) Trump International Hotel and Tower Mixed-use skyscraper along the Chicago River completed in 2009. Stands 415 m tall with 96 floors; houses hotel rooms, condominiums, restaurants and retail and ranks among the talle…

Trump World Tower Trump World Tower is a high-rise residential building in Midtown Manhattan, completed in 2001. Known for its height, glass facade and proximity to the United Nations, it helped def…

Tudor architecture English building style (c.1485–1603) known for half-timbering, steep roofs, tall chimneys and brickwork; combines late medieval Gothic and early Renaissance influences.

Two International Finance Centre (2 IFC) — Hong Kong skyscraper Two International Finance Centre Two International Finance Centre (2 IFC) is a landmark 415 m, 88‑storey office tower in Central, Hong Kong, completed in 2003. It anchors the IFC complex and ranks among the world’…

Two Prudential Plaza — Chicago office skyscraper Two Prudential Plaza Two Prudential Plaza is a 303 m (995 ft), 64‑storey office skyscraper in Chicago completed in 1990. Noted for its distinctive peaked crown and prominent role in the city skyline.

Tynecastle Park Tynecastle Tynecastle Park is the home ground of Heart of Midlothian F.C., situated in the Gorgie district of Edinburgh, Scotland. It has been in use since the late 19th century and was moder…

U.S. Bank Tower (Los Angeles) A landmark downtown Los Angeles skyscraper completed in 1989, rising 310 m with 73 floors. Known for its distinctive crown, observation deck and role as a major West Coast landmark…

UEFA stadium categories and infrastructure requirements UEFA stadium categories Classification system used by UEFA to grade football stadiums (category one, two, three, elite) under its Stadium Infrastructure Regulations and to determine which venues can host…

Undercroft: vaulted cellar and historic storage space Undercroft An undercroft is a vaulted cellar or covered chamber beneath a building, historically used for storage, service rooms, and sometimes burial; notable for brick or stone vaulting and…

Unfinished building A structure whose construction has been suspended or abandoned. Explains causes (financial, legal, technical, political), impacts, typical outcomes and notable examples such as the…

United States Supreme Court building Permanent home of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.; a neoclassical structure designed by Cass Gilbert that houses the courtroom, chambers, library and public spaces.

Universal design: principles, history, and practical applications Universal design Universal design promotes products, buildings and information that can be used by the widest possible range of people, regardless of age, ability, or background; covers principles,…

Uppsala Cathedral Uppsala Cathedral (Uppsala domkyrka) is a major Gothic church in Uppsala, Sweden, seat of the archbishop and the largest church building in Scandinavia; notable for its medieval or…

Urban design: principles, history and practice Urban design An accessible overview of urban design: its scope, core elements, historical development, practical uses, and how it differs from architecture and planning.

Urban planning: principles, history, and contemporary practice Urban planning Concise overview of urban planning—its aims, core components (land use, transport, infrastructure, design), historical development, methods, and current challenges such as sustaina…

Urinal: purpose, design, history, and cultural notes Urinal A urinal is a sanitary fixture primarily for urination, typically found in public restrooms. This article explains types, design, history, uses, maintenance and notable distinction…

Valencia Cathedral (Metropolitan Basilica of Saint Mary) Valencia Cathedral Medieval cathedral in Valencia, Spain, known for its Valencian Gothic architecture, the Miguelete tower, rich collection of art and the chapel that houses the chalice long venerate…

Vastu Shastra: Traditional Indian Architectural Principles Vastu shastra Vastu shastra is a traditional Indian system of architecture and spatial design that prescribes orientation, layout, and proportions for buildings. It informs temple, house, and ur…

Vault (architecture): forms, history, construction and uses Vault (architecture) An architectural vault is an arched structural form that shapes ceilings and roofs. This article explains common types, historical development, building methods, materials, and pra…

Vehicle Assembly Building: Kennedy Space Center's giant rocket factory Vehicle Assembly Building The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center is a landmark industrial structure used to stack, integrate and prepare large rockets and spacecraft for launch.

Verandah (veranda): definition, history, types and uses Verandah A verandah (also veranda) is a roofed, open gallery attached to a building. This entry describes its form, components, regional varieties, historical development and practical role…

Viaduct: multi-span bridge for valleys, railways and highways Viaduct A viaduct is a long bridge formed of a series of short spans used to cross valleys, wetlands, roads or rail corridors. This article explains form, history, materials and common use…

Victorian architecture Architectural styles that developed during Queen Victoria’s reign (1837–1901), notable for diverse revival forms, decorative detail, and the influence of industrial production on h…

Vijayanagara architecture Architectural tradition of the Vijayanagara Empire (South India), noted for monumental Dravidian temples, granite sculpture, pillared halls, urban planning and selective Indo‑Islam…

Villa: history, design, and modern meanings Villa A villa is a type of house that began as a Roman upper‑class country residence and later evolved into varied regional and modern forms, from Renaissance estates to contemporary lux…

Vitruvius: Roman architect, engineer and author of De architectura Vitruvius Vitruvius, active in the 1st century BC, wrote the ten‑book De architectura, a practical treatise on building, machines, materials and urban planning that influenced Renaissance an…

Wall (architecture, function, and history) Wall A wall is a vertical structure that divides, supports, protects, or bounds space. This article explains types, materials, historical roles in defense and politics, and modern uses…

Walt Disney Concert Hall — Los Angeles landmark and home of the LA Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall A modern concert hall in Los Angeles, opened in 2003 and designed by Frank Gehry, noted for its distinctive stainless-steel exterior, refined acoustics, and a large pipe organ comp…

War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco War Memorial Opera House A Beaux-Arts opera house in San Francisco's Civic Center, opened in 1932 and home to the San Francisco Opera and Ballet. Noted for its size, design, and civic role in California ar…

Warehouse — buildings, functions, equipment, and logistics Warehouse Comprehensive overview of warehouses: purpose, common equipment, functions in supply chains, types, operations, safety and technology trends including automation and sustainability…

Watchtower: purpose, design, history and modern uses Watchtower A watchtower is a raised structure for observation and early warning. This article covers typical features, historical development, signalling methods, varied uses (military, priso…

Water tower (structure, function and uses) Water tower A water tower is an elevated reservoir that stores and distributes water using gravity. This article explains its design, components, history, common uses, variations and safety co…

Water Tower Place (Chicago) Water Tower Place Mixed-use skyscraper on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. Completed in 1976, it rises 262 m (859 ft) with 74 floors and houses a multi-level shopping center along with residences and off…

Waterview Tower (111 W. Wacker) — Chicago skyscraper project Waterview Tower Overview of Waterview Tower, also known as 111 W. Wacker, a skyscraper project in downtown Chicago; its planned height, development history, intended role and notable facts.

Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia) Indoor multi-purpose arena in South Philadelphia, home to major professional sports teams and a frequent concert and events venue; opened in 1996 and owned by Comcast Spectacor.

Wells Fargo Plaza, Houston: 71‑story downtown skyscraper Wells Fargo Plaza (Houston) Wells Fargo Plaza is a 302 m (992 ft), 71‑story office skyscraper in downtown Houston, completed in 1983. It is a prominent part of Houston’s skyline and ranks among the tallest U.…

Wembley Arena Historic indoor arena in Wembley, London, opened in 1934 as the Empire Pool. Now a multi‑purpose performance and sporting venue seating around 12,000 with a long live‑music history…

Wharf: structure and uses of waterfront loading facilities Wharf A wharf is a fixed platform built along a lake, river or sea to allow ships to load and unload. This article explains design, types, history, uses and environmental and legal aspec…

White City of Tel Aviv — the Bauhaus architectural ensemble White City of Tel Aviv The White City of Tel Aviv is a large collection of Bauhaus/International style buildings from the 1930s, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its urban planning, modernis…

White House: residence, offices, and symbol of the U.S. presidency White House The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the U.S. president, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It combines neoclassical architecture, executive offic…

Wilhelm Holzbauer (1930–2019) — Austrian Architect and Pragmatic Modernist Wilhelm Holzbauer Overview of Wilhelm Holzbauer, his education, architectural approach, major projects (including Linz Hauptbahnhof and the Vienna Gasometer), teaching career, and legacy.

Willis Tower: Chicago's iconic 108‑story skyscraper Willis Tower Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) is a 108‑story Chicago skyscraper known for its bundled‑tube engineering, Skydeck observation facilities, long record as the world's tallest bui…

Wilshire Grand Center Mixed-use skyscraper in downtown Los Angeles reaching 1,100 ft. A hotel, offices and retail complex that reshaped the city skyline and became the tallest building in Los Angeles an…

Winter Palace (St. Petersburg): Imperial Residence and Core of the Hermitage Winter Palace Former imperial residence on the Neva in St. Petersburg, rebuilt in the 18th–19th centuries and now the central building of the State Hermitage Museum, renowned for its architectur…

Wolf Point East Tower, Chicago Wolf Point East Tower A residential high-rise on the Wolf Point site in Chicago: roughly 60 stories and 660 ft tall, part of a three-tower development on the Near North Side with about 698 apartment uni…

Wolf Point South Tower — Chicago riverfront skyscraper project Wolf Point South Tower Planned 950-foot tower on Wolf Point at the confluence of the Chicago River. The South Tower is the tallest of a three-building master plan reshaping the Near North Side riverfront…