‘Really cool, day or night’: readers’ top modern European architecture

The Hamsun Centre in Hamarøy, northern Norway (a few hours by boat from Bodø), is devoted to Norway’s most well-known novelist, Knut Hamsun (1859-1952), hailed by many as the daddy of modern Norwegian literature. Designed by the American architect Steven Holl, the putting constructing, which dominates the panorama for miles, provides references to the person and his work, together with “hair” on its head (the roof), a metallic “spine” operating by way of the constructing and a beckoning hand (a yellow balcony jutting out from the darkish facade).

Music of the pods in Rome

Sala Santa Cecilia seems like an enormous silver beetle or, probably, a pc mouse. It’s one in every of three metallic-roofed “pods”, every with particular acoustic options, that are a part of the huge advanced making up Parco della Musica Auditorium. Designed by Renzo Piano, and completed in 2002, it stands on the positioning of the 1960 Olympic Park on the outskirts of Rome. Though the pods are positively modernist, the two,700-capacity out of doors theatre is a transparent nod to historic Rome, as is using Travertine marble all through. We loved the timeless expertise of listening to music within the balmy Italian night air.
Sherry

Grayson Perry’s secret gingerbread cottage, Essex

The tiny village of Wrabness in north Essex hosts Grayson Perry’s A House for Essex. Five years within the making, it was designed as a shrine to the fictional character Julie Cope. This folly is the gingerbread home out of the Hansel and Gretel fairytale. The constructing, clad in vibrant reduction tiles with a brilliant gold roof, has been in comparison with a Scandinavian stave church or a Russian chapel. Set in a tranquil panorama with views over inexperienced fields to the Stour estuary, it’s a should should you ever end up in “England’s most misunderstood country”.
Alison Barker

Cocktails with Le Corbusier, Marseille

Take a tour of frequent areas and a typical condominium at Le Corbusier’s Unité d’Habitation in Marseille, France. Snap ’grammable particulars just like the modernist stained glass within the foyer or the daring doorways, handles and light-weight fittings within the corridors. Soak up the solar on the azure tiles and crisp concrete of the rooftop, then admire the ingenious pan cabinet within the flat’s unique kitchen cupboards. End up within the bar, the place you’ll be able to sit, sip a gradual apéro and watch the sundown. Tip: chat to the concierge on the desk on the entrance or the server behind the bar for extra native information.
Judith Moore

Slide down an enormous’s leg, Valencia

I like to recommend Gulliver (from Jonathan Swift’s novel) at Gulliver Park, Valencia, Spain. It is a superb modern construction for teenagers to get pleasure from. It is actually a playground primarily based on Giant Gulliver. He is mendacity on the bottom and the totally different elements of him type stairs and slides for the kids to play on! Entrance is free however do verify the opening hours as they’ll range. The park is within the east a part of the Túria Gardens, near the City of Arts and Sciences, one other wonderful modern construction in Valencia.
Sue O’Brien

Straddle continents within the Dardanelles

Cross from Asia to Europe in simply 13 minutes: that’s how lengthy it’s going to take you to traverse the brand-new 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, straddling the Dardanelles strait, 40 miles north-east of the traditional metropolis of Troy, throughout to the Gallipoli peninsula on the north facet, somewhat approach west of Istanbul. The bridge, which boasts the longest suspension span on the earth, is a wonderful construction in its personal proper – like a glossy Twenty first-century model of San Francisco’s Golden Gate. The fundamental attraction right here, although, needs to be the unbelievable views alongside the Dardanelles in the direction of the Sea of Marmara to at least one facet and the open Mediterranean to the opposite.
Jayne Pearson

A detailed encounter in Graz

I staggered off the night time practice from Venice not too long ago in Graz, Austria, and determined to go for an early-morning stroll across the previous city. When I got here throughout an enormous alien spaceship-type building, I needed to pinch myself then drink some robust espresso. The Kunsthaus is a surreal construction, a modern artwork gallery in-built 2003, and it seems much more beautiful at night time when 1,000 photo voltaic lights come on – it seems prefer it’s preparing for takeoff.
Greta Profile

A whale basks by the Danube, Budapest

The Bálna (“whale”) in Budapest, Hungary, is a large-scale, glass-fronted constructing on the financial institution of the Danube close to the Great Market Hall. It is a mixed-use constructing, with outlets, cafes, bars and a terrific artwork gallery focusing totally on up to date artwork. It has a unbelievable terrace with nice views on the town, however the architecture itself can also be very fascinating: designed by Dutch architect Kas Oosterhuis, it’s a combination of historic brick warehouses and a putting hi-tech metal-glass construction. Visiting is totally free; for more information see balnabudapest.hu.
Magdolna Decker

Gorgeous distortion, Prague

The Dancing House in Prague, generally nicknamed “Fred and Ginger”, is a very cool construction. It was constructed within the early Nineteen Nineties – I believe that qualifies as modern in architecture! It’s so uncommon as a result of it stands out from the gothic/baroque architecture that Prague is understood for. It’s proper on the river within the New Town district. When I noticed it for the primary time, it actually seemed that it was falling into itself, kind of like when a fantasy/sci-fi film visualises a black gap orwormhole, the place all the pieces turns into distorted and arduous constructions seem liquid. Really cool, day or night time.
Jordan Gale

A metallic internet of geometric shapes, Pristina

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” actually applies to the National Library of Kosovo, in Pristina. On its inauguration in 1982, the top of the Communist get together requested why the scaffolding hadn’t been eliminated. However, I discovered the distinctive dice and dome options, relics from the Byzantine and Ottoman custom, intriguing. It appeared as if a metallic internet of geometric shapes had been thrown over the outside, whereas 99 cupolas of various sizes added magnificence and flooded the studying rooms with pure mild. Inside, we discovered the doorway partitions adorned with copper börek-shaped coils and silver filigree panels studded with treasured stones.
Helen Jackson