Erica & Matt Chua: He Said/She Said: Best Architecture

With several hundred cities around the world under our belt we have experienced many varied forms of architecture.  From the swooping roofs of Asia to the domes of the Middle East and castles in Europe.  Where have we enjoyed the skyline the most?  We each share our opinion.

HE SAID…

During the worst times of rush hour, you can drive around the entire country of Singapore in less than two hours.  The country can be described as a long bike ride because it is only 15 miles wide by 20 miles long, yet it is home to more than five million people.  Housing, feeding and entertaining the 7,300 people per square mile requires creative architecture. While many cultures would approach the scale of the problem with utilitarian design, Singapore has made design a must, making it the modern architecture capital of the world in both quality and quantity.

This is the underside of a bridge.  In the USA design like this is reserved for modern art galleries, but in design-orientated Singapore, even hidden places feature thoughtful design.  That’s how it is here, designers run wild, making sure that there is no eyesore, that everywhere you look inside this forest of skyscrapers you will see creativity that leaped from paper into reality.

Creative, unique, architecture isn’t limited to commercial and public buildings, it’s something the citizens of Singapore literally take home with them.  In the dozens of homes I’ve visited, I’ve discovered that architecture and design is part of Singapore, not an afterthought.  If you are looking for design inspiration and cutting-edge architecture ideas, Singapore should be your first stop.

SHE SAID…

The Middle East taught me that I love Islamic architecture, the domed roofs and soaring minarets are visually stunning.  While I may have been ready to escape the conservative culture, I could have spent months taking in the gorgeous mosques and buildings of Egypt, Turkey, Oman, Israel and the UAE.  The architecture is so different from anything I am accustomed to in the U.S. and the interiors are incredible.

The high archways, detailed carvings, vaulted ceilings and tall minarets encompass a unique style that always gives me a sense of awe.  Walking around the old town in Cairo, taking in the mosques of Alexandria and standing below the Dome of the Rock in Israel I was blown away by the ornate facades and enormity of the buildings.  I loved walking around the mosques and seeing the minarets from different angles.  The way the minarets caught the light in the morning and evening created an awesome glow.

The buildings in the Middle East really came alive when you entered them, the soaring ceilings with their intricate paintings are impressive to say the least.  As breathtaking as the insides of these holy places are, watching worshippers gather inside and move through their prostrations is interesting to watch.  For me Islamic architecture has been fascinating to explore and stands out as my favorite building style in the world.

(Cross-posted from LivingIF.com)