5 of the World's Most Unique But Lesser Known Architectural Marvels

Oddly specific, but I think you'll appreciate the memorable nature of some of these buildings.
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[@mbvoelker8448]

The Lotus Temple is the only piece of really GOOD design in this video. It serves it's purpose in beauty and harmony. I have always hated the Cube Houses because they serve the architect's ego instead of the needs of the inhabitants for space to LIVE -- storing possessions and engaging in the activities of daily life.

[@MeanBeanComedy]

Exactly. Thank you!! I despise modern architecture. It's just a masturbatory pursuit by subversive midwits looking for fame by destroying Beauty.

[@Sieuqt]

Aside from a crushing student debt, studying architecture gives me the perk of knowing all these buildings.

[@gerthinatorgaming5952]

Money well spent 🤣

[@mike_dunno]

Feels good to be a architecture student in when its free hehe

[@gerthinatorgaming5952]

@@mike_dunno free.... Ye jammy sod 🤣

[@GaryBickford]

Fact I was told a long time ago, by a structural engineer: at any given time about 2/3 of architects are between jobs. But the ones with projects always need structural engineers, so they work all the time. Also: unless things have changed, most schools of architecture don't teach the structural aspects sufficiently, so mist architects are not good at building actual structures (one exception is Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo CA). My father, a building contractor, held most architects in contempt for exactly this reason - they emphasized design (ego) over structure. One house he built they had to stop and redesign in the middle of the project because the architect had designed a cantilevered deck with nothing on the other end to hold it down.🤣

[@MrBomuch]

​@@GaryBickfordI feel that people like to make fun of architects. Look around and closely most architects are solidly trained and run well organised businesses and building sites. By law they have to be trained so that they can produce well planned and well built projects. Also remember that you can sue and architect if things go wrong..."they have skin in the game". And in some cases if there is serious negligence they can be arrested and charged, and yes most undergraduate schools of architecture don't teach structures in-depth but this only a regional issue. If you want to practice in Italy, Japan and Spain for example, your knowledge in structures has to be in-depth because of seismic activities in these countries. In the UK architects take on the role of principle designer (by law) which means there are in charge of Health and safety of a project from start to finish. Structures is only one aspect of what the architect need to understand on a project, there is electrical, mechanical, lighting aspect that they will need to co-ordinate. It's a serious profession and it takes a long time to be one, and a lifetime to be a good one.

[@mickho7910]

The Lotus Temple is reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House - now that was ahead of its time.

[@andrewb8698]

Except its acoustics are so trash many orchestra's refuse to play in the main gallery. It should be called the Sydney theatre house as that's what the gallery was designed for.

[@mickho7910]

@@andrewb8698 Agreed - a real tragedy that the Sydney Opera House wasn’t completed as envisaged by Utzon. I would have walked off too.

[@danieljob3184]

Yes, I was waiting for Simon to say "the fact that it looks like the Opera house in Sydney Australia is entirely coincidental" - but he didn't... Read into That what you will!

[@janesmith5740]

@@andrewb8698 The acoustics are actually really good for the audience. The problem is that the orchestra is placed so that the musicians get poor feedback and thus can't hear themselves playing.

[@zzajizz]

The most astonishing thing about the Interlace was the fact that they managed to get it built under local building regulations.

[@darrenchin_]

which part of it would normally not be allowed?

[@zzajizz]

@@darrenchin_ mostly with respect to fire safety and household shelter provision.

[@TriStruggleBus]

Last time I visited I wasn’t all that impressed. It’s unique from the outside for sure but inside it’s just another condo.

[@freesk8]

Government is mostly just in the way of any serious innovation.

[@damonlee226]

yes and be apart of the city's 90% public housing in Singapore.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:00 - Chapter 1 - The dubai frame 3:25 - Chapter 2 - Cube houses 6:00 - Chapter 3 - The interlace 8:25 - Chapter 4 - The vessel 11:00 - Chapter 5 - Lotus temple

[@patprop74]

Not that I believe they are considered Architectural Marvels, however still worth talking about is Montreal's Olympic Village apartment complex and Expo 67 Habitat 67 designed by Moshe Safdie.

[@jeremydouglas6607]

My grandparents lived there for nearly 30 years

[@patprop74]

@@jeremydouglas6607 oh cool! the price of rental for them now is insane , i think close to 3.500 a month

[@jeremydouglas6607]

Other than the kitchens there was lots of room in the unit and worth $3,500

[@patprop74]

@@jeremydouglas6607 And if the worst-case should happen, and can t make rent, lol your just a short walk away from the Casino lol

[@purplealice]

The Lotus Temple is very graceful and beautiful. It looks like what the Sydney Opera House wants to grow up to be.

[@purplealice]

The Sydney Opera House always looks unfinished to me. The Lotus Temple is complete in itself.

[@hogztcp239]

Habitat 67 in Montreal instantly came to mind.

[@jeremydouglas6607]

My grandparents lived there for nearly 30 years

[@thecianinator]

Too famous for this list

[@michaeldowson6988]

That Interlace building was clearly inspired by Habitat 67 in Montreal.

[@inst4rmin.x4_onYT]

Possibly.. Only the habitat looks just odd, without the aestheticly pleasing counterpart lol

[@californiumblog]

Donis's design looks like the end result of cities and destinations catering to Instagram influencers.

[@chilledpenguins8381]

The Lotus Temple is stunning!

[@overtlybiased]

Almost 200K subscribers... one hell of a "sideproject" this channel turned out

[@darmous9676]

the way you described the lotus temple was like a drink of fresh water, its amazing how words can make your mind feel so calm and warm

[@marco2sir523]

Other countries: Look at these BIIIIG buildings we got over here. Netherlands: Kubes bruh

[@Emdee5632]

You are forgetting that Piet Blom's cube houses in Rotterdam built in 1982 - 1984 were not his first cube houses. His first ones were the cube houses in Helmond (built 1974 - 1976 I think, not sure). Even many people in the Netherlands aren't aware of this. The Helmond houses were built together with a theatre (Het Speelhuis) in the same unusual style. The theatre burnt down about ten years ago. I once visited one of the Helmond houses. They look exiting from the outside, but on the inside you have to be... quite resourceful to give everything a place.

[@Griezz]

Another building that I would have suggested in Montreal, Quebec's "Habitat '67". Built for the 1967 Expo, it's a housing project that envisioned blending apartment complex size with townhouse-style cast units.

[@mamab1423]

The Interlace is awesome. I used to drive past it daily and my kids would call it the Lego Tower.

[@gerthinatorgaming5952]

The difference between the chilled composed Simon to the memeing Simon is so funny 🤣 Like chalk and cheese

[@happilyham6769]

The Vessel looks like a giant beautiful pinecone.

[@ncbooth]

Those comments about the Vessel remind me of what my architecture professor in Milwaukee said about the MAM. They called the Calatrava designed building the "turkey carcass on the lake." Would love to see a video about some Frank Lloyd Wright buildings! Still wishing for a House on the Rock/Alex Jordan one too!

[@marcbiff2192]

Modern architects have got a lot to answer for.

[@admiralkipper4540]

Because most of what they make is shit

[@MeanBeanComedy]

They've unleashed a cursed evil upon our people.

[@chezsnailez]

Gerhardt Fjuck - Liberating Architecture from the narrow bonds of habitability... kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6e4Zpejqpmmopo

[@user-cc3up9oy5o]

I wasn't expecting to have been to two of these 😂 The Dubai Frame is a cool idea, especially with the glass walkway. Unfortunately there's no Viewpoint nearby to actually view the city through the frame. For anyone wanting to visit the cube houses there's a hostel in part of it and it's not expensive to spend a night there. I'm surprised the Setas de Sevilla wasn't included. Largest wooden building in the world, beautiful and a great viewpoint

[@fredsilva8076]

The vessel is somehow ruggedly handsome while the Lotus is stunningly beautiful. Already forgot the rest lol

[@MrBrunoUSA]

If you would like additional architectural marvels I would like to suggest the following two: 1. Monastery of Christ in the Desert. It is 13 and a quarter miles down a dirt road from the highway so it is off the grid in a big way. It uses passive solar heating and solar electricity. 2. Abbey Church, Westminster Abbey, suburban Vancouver. It is a blend of Gothic and Brutalist architecture, and is one of the few examples of Brutalist architecture that is not hideously ugly!

[@rosevelvet4357]

Don’t you dare call brutalism ugly! That shit slaps so hard

[@melanezoe]

Glad to learn about architects. They pop up in crosswords all the time. Now I have their works to make them stick in my mind. And, Simon, I like the beard trim.

[@thomasewing2656]

The Lotus Temple is an archetectural Artichoke! Lovely.

[@thejudgmentalcat]

Wow, I hadn't heard of any of these except the Vessel. Some are gorgeous.

[@WheezyLiam]

You've got this gnarly room resonance at like ~440Hz that I just can't stop focusing on. Hang up some blankets or use an EQ in post to fix it!

[@Itsfineweerallfine]

Speaking of architects, please make a video on Zaha Hadid! Her work is otherworldly and definitely outside the box. I’m sure her life (being an Arabic woman that rose to such prominence in her time) would be fascinating to look at as well!

[@nikolaaswright6028]

Hey Canada! Help a fellow canadian broaden the worlds knowledge of Canada and it's people! The Rideau Canal and river system for mega/side projects and Francis Pegahmagabow for biographics! Peggy is the most skilled sniper of the Great War!

[@blaked7532]

Not just during the war, but afterward the war he kept "fighting". He was a life long champion for first nations rights and his war career brought attention to the plight of canadian first nations peoples who at the time of his enlistment, were not recognized as citizens.

[@nikolaaswright6028]

hes an incredible guy... first nation snipers needed more proof of kills than white snipers... to get that many kills and still get proof is amazing

[@cseguin]

2:13 - _"... to fill the large void ..."_ - with another large void? Interesting . . .

[@johanseinen8245]

As Rotterdammer I should have chosen the Markthal (Market hall) in stead of the Kubus woningen because like you said, they're almost 40 years old.

[@user-cc3up9oy5o]

The Markthal is stunning! Definitely my favourite place in Rotterdam

[@wessh00]

The Baha'i have beautiful temples in many countries. Thank you for highlighting the Lotus Temple. I encourage you to do an episode on the Baha'i temples worldwide. It will probably take multiple episodes but all are beautiful architectural marvels. 💜💛🤍

[@maudglazbrooke1287]

Consider doing one of these about experimental/controversial buildings. Buildings that tried really hard to be on this list but left people saying WTF? Would be good for a giggle. Okay, might be more Blaze worthy an idea. Either way, google Sharp Centre for Design as a potential starting point.

[@Beryllahawk]

Had not heard of ANY of these, fascinating video! The Interlace made me think of Ready Player One and the Stacks described in the book. Just...upscale and scaled up

[@anonh7]

Awesome video, please keep making more videos about buildings

[@magnificus8581]

When teaching my introduction to Architecture classes, most of my students are shocked how little they make compared to other professions such as doctors and lawyers. I just say 'name a famous architect.' After a long silence I reply, "that is why they don't make that much. You have to love what you do."

[@sonicgoo1121]

On the other hand it's the best way to be successful. No papparazzi or random people hassling you all day, but still winning awards and making pretty things.

[@jamesclendon4811]

I hope your students are just taking the course as a requirement and not with an eye to a career in architecture. If they can't name at least a half dozen famous contemporary architects, hopefully more, I think the field is not for them.

[@onedone2011]

Who is your fave?

[@272flashlites]

I'd love to see a side project for the planned city of Brasilia. That cities archetecture, and layout fascinates me.

[@ChristinaMaterna]

Absolutely adore the insides of the cube houses even if during a tv would be a nightmare

[@vladimirolujic6637]

- Someone from the Interlace calls Skip theDishes to order food - The number you've dialed is no longer in service

[@nadeemchaudhry6585]

Great video, but dont forget the architects are designers and great at their job. But the engineers that have to work, how that design can be built are the true stars!!

[@titmusspaultpaul5]

That last one, the Lotus Temple, when viewed front on, looks like a helmet/ mask made to look like the head of Sonic the hedgehog.

[@finscreenname]

My first thought when I saw The Vessel is the first time someone goes off it it will be closed and a waste of money.

[@jamesclendon4811]

Actually it took until the third suicide, in Jan 2021, before they closed it "indefinitely." I can't tell if it's reopened yet or is scheduled to. "Waste of money?"--I guess that's a matter of opinion.

[@kahnu893]

@@jamesclendon4811 The thing has no practical purposes, was unnecessarily expensive, has been used by multiple people to kill themselves. Where do you draw the line on wasted money? Plus it's a terribly ugly thing and no one loves it (that's an opinion)

[@jamesclendon4811]

@@kahnu893 New York Post 5/26/2021: The Vessel at Hudson Yards will reopen Friday after a four-month shutdown following a rash of suicides - but you won’t be able to climb it alone. Three visitors in the past year jumped off the 150-feet-tall structure, a collection of 154 interlocked staircases. Rather than install taller glass barriers on walkways of the vertical sculpture designed by Heatherwick Studios, the new safety plan has three elements to protect visitors. Guests must come in groups of at least two.

[@ChristinaMaterna]

The lotus temple reminds me very much of the Sydney Opera house 🤷‍♀️

[@nautilusshell4969]

Gee, I never knew that Rotterdam was the capital of the Netherlands....you learn something new every day!

[@Kannot2023]

It is not, the capital is the Hague

[@nautilusshell4969]

@@Kannot2023 Erm, actually, the seat of government is The Hague, whilst the capital is Amsterdam!

[@ddiieeggooooooo]

Please make one about cathedrals!

[@SixOThree]

The Vessel is also at the end of the High Line which is a very enjoyable walk.

[@charliemolda297]

You should have spoken about the Museum of the Future in Dubai. That is the most interesting looking building I have ever seen

[@eefaaf]

The Dutch name Piet sounds a lot like the English name Pete (or maybe even more like 'peat'). Though I did once have a classmate whose last name was Piët, pronounced like you did Blom's first name. And Rotterdam, though the largest city in the province of Zuid Holland, isn't its capital: that is Den Haag, also the seat of government, just like Amsterdam is the largest in North Holland (and in fact of the Netherlands, of which it IS the capital) where the provincial capital is Haarlem.

[@lestariabadi]

Also oude pronounced similar to “olde”.

[@eefaaf]

@@lestariabadi Dutch 'oud' means 'old' but it sounds like 'out', as the d at the end of a word gets devoiced. So, oude, the d is still voiced, and it adds a schwa, like the a in 'about'

[@sachinchauhan7775]

The Vessel and The Lotus Temple are the only two to stood out in the list. Not convinced on putting other three entries in the list with these two.

[@phranerphamily]

That was very interesting. Thank you 😊

[@Bonhomme7h]

A great start for a series!

[@trazynstrinkets]

I was there by sheer coincidence the day The Vessel was opened for the first time- had never heard of it before. According to the guy selling all the tickets, the design was based on some Native American "vessel burial" practice, though I have no idea if that's actually true.

[@missjody4142]

I Love Architecture from the Beginning to now. Absolutely Beautiful Architecture ♥️♥️

[@kamanama3671]

The Lotus Temple is one of the most beautiful buildings ever built

[@Beltane451]

Episode idea : have you considered an episode about the RP Flip research ship that goes from horizontal to vertical?

[@mackenziemoore5088]

Getting my daily dose of cocai- I mean Simon content!!

[@timnichol6566]

Cocaine!!! It's not just for breakfast anymore 😀

[@mirzaahmed6589]

Business Blaze is Simon on cocaine.

[@ipg6772]

Seen the Kubus Woningen, the NYC Vessel and the Lotus Temple. Just missing the other 2. :D

[@noodengr3three825]

I visited the Vessel in Hudson Yards but did not have time to climb it before catching what turned out to be the 2nd to last Broadway show day in March 2020. Impressive and a great addition to NYC

[@larrygrimaldi1400]

Cube Houses the only one I've been to, although I did see the Vessel from a distance when I went to the Javits Center for my Covid shot.

[@dr.m.hfuhruhurr84]

Well done!

[@hainsleyflyer9485]

Recommendation: United States Proteus-class colliers: the most cursed class of ship.

[@anulbonecrusher]

Elevator designer huh? Casual unintentional reference to BB

[@beachboy0505]

Excellent, must visit 👍

[@lyzzee6143]

i know the lotus temple - it is one of only 9 Baha’i temples worldwide. i’ve only been to the one in Germany, which is also beautiful.

[@okboomer6201]

Gaudiness reaches new levels.

[@badbiker666]

I admit that I am ignorant of the names of great architects. However I DO know three, none of which appeared on this list. Two aren't here because they are well known. I love Frank Lloyd Wright's designs and I own a coffee table book about his stuff and I love to flip through it on a regular basis. The second is Buckminster Fuller. He was much more than an architect. He was more of an inspired engineer, but he did design buildings, so he qualifies. The third is a man not on this list and most people haven't heard of him. He is Albert Kahn, and the reason I know his name is because I am from Detroit, Michigan, in the USA. At one time Detroit was a paragon of modern industry. We constructed factories where we built cars and other products that were the best in the world. And many of the high tech buildings in which we did these things were designed by Mr. Kahn. Of course, they are nothing like the innovative structures on this list, but they were state of the art for their time and true works of art in their own right. Sadly, most of Albert Kahn's buildings no longer exist today. Detroit's glory days are many decades in the past and some of Kahn's buildings were simply abandoned and allowed to crumble into dust. But for a while, they were breathtakingly wonderful places.

[@johnlansing2902]

Thank you for a enjoyable education.

[@NoelMcGinnis]

The Interlace was really amazing, but NOTHING is amazing enough for $5 million a unit. 😳 And the Lotus is truly a beautiful structure.

[@ConnorRianHickey]

Imagine delivering food to the interlace

[@jsnsk101]

alternative title: just how pretentious and self important can architects be?

[@NgYongYao]

Many apartment houses in Singapore got their uniqueness and design, not just the interlace... But they all have one thing in common; they are all super expensive...

[@banjo2759]

I’ve stayed at the interlace several times and it’s cool at first but there are definitely much more unique buildings in Singapore. Staying there sucks, it would be much better if it was closer a subway stop or Harbourfront

[@TheEvilCommenter]

Good video 👍

[@nastybedazzler]

Great video.

[@hilarys3405]

Caitlin Doughty, Ask a Mortician, has a great video on the Vessel about the suicides and responsibility of the architects and owners.

[@jameskubica5463]

I visited the cube houses a few years ago, they are sooo cool

[@daniele4568]

Architects don't get enough credit for their contribution to art in modern society.

[@Kannot2023]

Construction engineers don't get enough credit to construction of the modern society. Without engineers you wouldn't have these buildings

[@TheMarionetteKitty]

The Baha'i Faith has many beautiful temples all over the world. You should do a video on the gardens in Haifa.

[@TheWinterySummer]

@Simon Whistler Is it posible to add liks to the pages used to create this video? Im an architectural student and im interesting in the details of these projects. So if you can please add them.

[@deemariedubois4916]

Let this be a warning to other architects that the officials City of Dubai go back on their word. They aren’t trustworthy and that’s a horrible look for their reputation. It’s 2021 and I hope Senor Donis has received credit and renumeration for all his hard work. The picture frame represents an enormous amount of hours to design. I can’t imagine why Dubai officials would treat Senor Donis so unprofessionally. To copy his designs when he submitted them before the Picture Frame was even officially chosen shows the sariqa was planned from the beginning. Ma hi euqubat alsariqat walkhidae? A man can only lose his honor once, from then on he is known as dishonorable. I have fallen in love with this channel. I’m binge re-watching the videos today and commenting again or anew taking time to look up some of the topics covered to see and read more details. I do this frequently with Simon’s many channels especially when I’m having one of my BLD days. I call this ‘taking Whistler classes today.’

[@calska140]

The lotus flower is very symbolic in many ways. My favorite being that the lotus flower is a delicate, beautiful, flower floating on grimy brackish water in a hostile environment. Which reminds us we can also be something pleasant, wholesome, and civil originating and amongst a disgusting and violent world. We only need to be like the lotus and channel our growth in the proper ways.

[@stevefox3763]

Syas 'Bg Ben' and shows the Westminster clock, clearly not everyone knows Big Ben that well lol

[@velvetunderground9835]

Please pardon my American impertinence, but I believe it was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to mark the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

[@stevefox3763]

@@velvetunderground9835 You are correct that it's also known as Elizabeth tower but its official and original name is The Westminster Clock Tower. What it is NOT called is Big Ben like Simon suggests, Big Ben is simply the largest of 5 bells contained within the tower.

[@chezsnailez]

Hudson Yards is New York City's version of the La Defense district in Paris only without the architectural cohesiveness...

[@jplxlabelle1681]

**Side mission achieved** -fly through the giant rectangular frame in Dubai.

[@marcmalki734]

Fine for the Lotus Temple but what about the truly marvelous Auroville Meditation Hall? That's the gem! You don't make clear what the structure in NY was intended for, it looks like a series of walkways and viewing platforms to me; probably a mall undergrownd?

[@TheMarkvanes]

I've worked with some of Blom's drawings

[@simon-petereastwood3330]

I think you will find the most well know architect is Ted Mosby, architect

[@keithprice4711]

Suit up Ted

[@donkimble]

You can't give Donis credit for CCTV. That was OMA. I see he takes credit on his wikipedia page, but that's some serious resume inflation. He was the lead on the project.

[@pyrodoll2422]

Interlace! 😍😍

[@rikrikrik.mp4]

Dude you manage to name multiple times the worong architect OMG

[@amandajones661]

I love these under reported sites.

[@djobert2402]

you should do a bit on Habitat 67, in Montréal

[@NichtcrawlerX]

I feel the need to assure foreigners, there are no Ood in the Oude Haven ( I am assuming).

[@jerryjohnson8485]

Thank you DR.

[@rafipalmero9983]

i always ask myself what channel im watching simon whistler on.

[@StLouis-yu9iz]

Please do a video about the Gateway Arch and National Park in downtown St Louis! :} ty

[@mykemech]

The Vessel looks like a useless waste of space, albeit a pretty one. It's just...stairs...

[@jglammi]

Säynätsalo Town Hall, Muuratsalo Experimental House, House of Culture, Viipuri Library, Jyvaskyla University Building, Maison Louis Carré, Seinäjoki Center, all by Alvar AALTO,

[@darrenchin_]

The Vessel is truly a work of art.

[@GlutesEnjoyer]

Oh man there are a LOOOOOOOT of new yorkers who would vehemently disagree with you lmao The vessel really created a lot of controversy. I like it though

[@darrenchin_]

@@GlutesEnjoyer haha..yeah i've read about much of their disdain in the comment sections of other videos😂 but they don't know how good they have it. I'll definitely visit this if I ever get to NYC

[@adityaxxanand]

Nah. It looks awful.

[@jamesclendon4811]

@@GlutesEnjoyer Just wait. Many New Yorkers loathed the World Trade Center when it was built too, and then when someone had the temerity to knock it down everybody acted all upset and everything.

[@chuckz2934]

I confess I did not search your catalogue but if you haven’t done it yet, I’d be interested to learn more about Biosphere 2.

[@johnsimons1748]

Please do Livens Large Gallery Flame Projector (battle of the Somme)