10 Iconic Architecture Precedents Every Architecture Student MUST Know
There are 100s of architecture precedents every architect and architecture student should know. To save you time here are 10 absolute bangers for your inspiration and arch-encyclopaedia!
Why is learning architectural precedents important?
Architectural precedent studies are crucial to understanding architecture history, innovation, and cultural providing valuable knowledge and insights for architects and architecture students.
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Beijing National Stadium
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Sydney Opera House
House of Falling Water
Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre
Seagram Building
The Burj al Arab
Petronas Towers
Empire State Building
30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)
Find out more 👇
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Photo by Antonio Gabola
Frank Gehry, Bilbao, Spain. 1997
One of Gehry’s most famous buildings and an icon piece of modernist architecture. The unique form of the Guggenheim Museum has been a subject of study and inspiration in the architecture world. A huge feeder to Bilbao economy and showcases contemporary art exhibitions.
Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest)
Photo by Hong Jiang
Herzog & De Meuron Architekten, Arup Sport and the China Architecture Design and Research Group, Beijing, China
Built for the 2008 Olympic Games and stage for the athletic track and field events. Nicknamed the ‘birds nest’ because of its web-like steel structure forming its outer skin.
Sydney Opera House
Photo by Ashwin Vaswani
Jorn Utzon. Sydney, Australia. 1956
Undoubtedly a world-famous piece of architecture known for its iconic design made possible by innovative technology and engineering achievements.
House of Falling Water
Photo by Cameron Venti
Frank Lloyd Wright. Bear Run, Pennsylvania. 1936
Frank Lloyd Wright is a renowned architect of the Modernist movement. This residential building is designed over a waterfall. Inspired by the harmony between human and nature that occurs in Japanese architecture.
Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre
Photo by Ondrej Bocek
Zaha Hadid. Baku, Azerbaijan. 2012
The Centres rippling sweeping form takes inspiration from Islamic calligraphy and traditional Azeri architecture. The skin is formed from glass fibre reinforced concrete panels between a steel space frame. This ambitious project received instant recognition in the architecture community.
Seagram Building
Mies van der Rohe, New York City. 1958
It could be argued the Seagram Building appears like many other skyscrapers in NYC being built today.
However, the Seagram is a pioneer of the modern/contemporary skyscraper.
Adhering to the rules of modernism the Seagram was designed for functionality, when in use and in construction. Using steel and glass over the traditional stone and brick.
The Burj al Arab
Photo by Christoph Schulz
Tom Wright of WKK architects. Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The worlds only 7-star luxury hotel. Known for its iconic ‘sail’ design and being built on an artificial island. Opened in 1999 and catalysis for Dubai’s surge in world tourism.
Petronas Towers Kuala Lumpur
Photo by Omar Elsharawy
César Pelli, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 1996
The tallest twin towers in the world and a major landmark of Kuala Lumpur. Visible from many places across the city.
Empire State Building
Photo by Christian Ladewig
William F. Lamb, New York, America. 1931
Empire State Building is a historical landmark in New York and a huge tourist attraction. An infamous Art Deco piece of architecture. The 102-story steel-frame skyscraper remained the tallest building in the world from 1931 to 1971.
30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)
Photo by Javier Martinez
Norman Foster, London. 2004
Nicknamed The Gherkin for obvious reasons, The building is one of the most recognisable in London. Its unique form is made possible by a spiralling helix steel structure and glass skin. Located in the citi’s key financial district
The Eiffel Tower
Photo by Anthony DELANOIX
