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[Architecture] Greatest architectural achievements from the past

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by DarkHorse, Feb 28, 2006.

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What is the greatest building/complex ever constructed?

  1. The Taj Mahal (Indian)

    5 vote(s)
    8.6%

  2. The Forbidden Palace (Chinese)

    8 vote(s)
    13.8%

  3. The Parthenon (Greek)

    4 vote(s)
    6.9%

  4. Chichan Itza (Mayan)

    1 vote(s)
    1.7%

  5. The Pantheon (Roman)

    1 vote(s)
    1.7%

  6. The Pyramids at Giza (Egyption)

    24 vote(s)
    41.4%

  7. Hagia Sophia (Turkish)

    2 vote(s)
    3.4%

  8. Other

    13 vote(s)
    22.4%
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  1. DarkHorse

    DarkHorse Member

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    Great architecture is kind of a hobby/interest of mine. My friend just visited India and went to the Taj Mahal, and I've been thinking of a short list of places I'd really love to visit before I die.

    What amazing about architecture is that it really defines a culture and it's values. I'm fascinated by some of the great things that our ancestors were able to conceive of and build long before modern machinery came about.

    I guess this poll is more about great buildings, and not necessarily engineering feats. Certainly the Great Wall of China or the Roman aquaducts were extremely significant, but I wanted to focus more on beauty and perfection in design, as well as historical and cultural significance.

    For example, in terms of sheer beauty, my vote goes to the Taj Mahal. But in terms of perfection in design and attention to detail, I love Chichan Itza. Still, in terms of historical significance and influence, not to mention elegance in design, the Parthenon may be the most important building ever constructed.

    What do you think? I'm interested to hear other people's opinions, and maybe some of the places I didn't think of.
     
    #1 DarkHorse, Feb 28, 2006
  2. A-Train

    A-Train Member

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    [​IMG]

    Talk about perfection...this badboy has been leaning for over 600 years and STILL hasn't fallen over...
     
    #2 A-Train, Feb 28, 2006
  3. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
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    Didn't they shore it up underneath to where it won't ever fall over? I thought they fixed it so that it was completely stable now?

    DD
     
    #3 DaDakota, Feb 28, 2006
  4. rimbaud

    rimbaud Member
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    I can't get past the odd grouping. Most of the structures are ancient but then you throw in the Taj Mahal (17th century), Forbidden Palace (15th century), and Hagia Sophia (6th century and Byzantine - not Turkish). I don't feel it is fair to compare from such a broad grouping.

    Also, if we are talking structural aesthetics over engineering why include the pyramids? Hatsepshut's palace complex (or something similar) was more about beauty and architecture than the pyramids which were just burial mounds on steroids.
     
    #4 rimbaud, Feb 28, 2006
  5. DarkHorse

    DarkHorse Member

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    The funny thing is that it started leaning during early construction, so the builders decided to compensate and continue building at a slight angle which, of course, only made the problem worse.

    ;)
     
    #5 DarkHorse, Feb 28, 2006
  6. DarkHorse

    DarkHorse Member

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    My criteria was pretty much pre-industrial revolution. I was also trying to keep it down to one structure per civilization, so I didn't include the Colosseum or any of the several awesome Egyptian palaces. (anyway the Pyramids are the most well known structures in Egypt and people would wonder why I excluded them) I was going to put in Notre Dame, but for some reason I didn't. Arbitrary I know.

    Oh, and aparently you can't go in and edit poll options, or I'd fix the Egyptian typo and be a little more consistant with my naming conventions. (you're right, since I didn't call Chichan Itza Mexican I shouldn't call Hagia Sophia Turkish)

    Stop pointing out my inconsistancies and pick one!

    ;)
     
    #6 DarkHorse, Feb 28, 2006
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2006
  7. chow_yun_fat

    chow_yun_fat Member

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    if everything works out, i'll have pictures of the not so forbidden palace for u guys to see. :)
     
    #7 chow_yun_fat, Feb 28, 2006
  8. plcmts17

    plcmts17 Member

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    How about Machu Picchu? Let's find the remotest,highest spot in the Andean jungle and build a city up there. Who's with me?
    Most of the beauty with this place is the stonework and location,location,location.
    Petra is also another that boggles the mind with it's beauty: natural and architectural.
    As far as new stuff is concerned I really like the Quadracci addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum and The Sony Centre in Berlin.
     
    #8 plcmts17, Feb 28, 2006
  9. Dubious

    Dubious Member

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    I'm more of a Landscape Architecture guy:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]



    [​IMG]
     
    #9 Dubious, Feb 28, 2006
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2006
  10. Rashmon

    Rashmon Member

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    The Eighth Wonder of the World - The Astrodome
     
    #10 Rashmon, Feb 28, 2006
  11. pradaxpimp

    pradaxpimp Member

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    great wall.
     
    #11 pradaxpimp, Feb 28, 2006
  12. oomp

    oomp Member

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    That was my first thought as well.
     
    #12 oomp, Feb 28, 2006
  13. chow_yun_fat

    chow_yun_fat Member

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    me too, but its not up there O_O
     
    #13 chow_yun_fat, Feb 28, 2006
  14. swilkins

    swilkins Member

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    Stonehendge was very impressive, because they had to transport some of the rocks over water for a couple of hundred miles.

    It just amazes me that the people (Britons?) understood the physics involved.
     
    #14 swilkins, Feb 28, 2006
  15. pasox2

    pasox2 Member
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    #15 pasox2, Feb 28, 2006
  16. Saint Louis

    Saint Louis Member

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    The Colosseum in Rome

    [​IMG]
     
    #16 Saint Louis, Feb 28, 2006
  17. Uprising

    Uprising Member

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    I'd probably put the COllesum. To me, to really appreciate things you have to see them first hand. I'm trying to remember all the stuff I saw in Italy and the rest of Europe.

    Man, Google.com is SOOOOoooooooooooooo Slow right now.
     
    #17 Uprising, Feb 28, 2006
  18. thegary

    thegary Member

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    [​IMG]
     
    #18 thegary, Feb 28, 2006
  19. bnb

    bnb Member

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    Of the one's listed, I haven't seen the Panthion, Forbidden Palace or Pyramids. Of the others....none has awed me as much as the Taj Mahal.

    Plus I'm a sucker for early 70's blues music.
     
    #19 bnb, Feb 28, 2006
  20. rimrocker

    rimrocker Member

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    All those are good choices. I would add the 13 Lalibela Churches in Ethiopia to the list...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    http://www.sacredsites.com/africa/ethiopia/sacred_sites_ethiopia.html
     
    #20 rimrocker, Feb 28, 2006
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