Travelled a lot this year and feasted my eyes on a lot of pretty things!

I can't name it a remorse as a result of it wasn't a acutely aware alternative, however considered one of my massive sadnesses in life was 'discovering' the self-discipline of structure too late. I majored in a department of historical past and was invited to take a Japanese structure class (purely historic/theoretical) and it modified my worldview, however I used to be already in fourth 12 months. I don't assume I’d've ever turn into an architect per say, however I undoubtedly would've sought out extra architecture-related programs.

I’ve a really restricted and newbie lens in terms of structure however I attempt to respect it throughout the scope that I see it, I suppose? On the very least, my journeys this 12 months have been so significantly better now that I pay extra consideration to the areas that I enter (heaps extra issues to have a look at, regardless that I won’t perceive their meant goal).

If anybody has any attention-grabbing architectural info on these buildings, I'd be completely happy to learn them 🙂 and what are your bucket-list buildings that you just need to see?

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(Apologies for among the image qualities—I took most of them with an iPhone 11 professional, however the Duomo pic was shot with my iPhone 15 :D)

1. Barcelona Cathedral – Barcelona, Spain

2. Girona Cathedral – Girona, Spain

I went to a variety of cathedrals throughout my Barcelona journey and I believed nothing would prime the Sagrada Familia. Nevertheless, I used to be actually pleasantly stunned by the Girona Cathedral. If the Sagrada Familia feels pristine and timeless, the Girona Cathedral felt grittier and historic, like you possibly can sense that point had handed. The courtyard(?) within the again was additionally very serene.

3. Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau – Barcelona, Spain

Not a purposeful hospital anymore however I’ve a examine on hospital structure so I needed to test it out. I do know it's not a picture of the particular constructing, however this a part of the ceiling is considered one of my favorite journey pictures of all time. I used to be in awe on the lighting, the atmosphere, the main points and doubtless spent a great chunk of my time simply wanting up.

4. La Sagrada Familia – Barcelona, Spain

There's clearly a variety of speak in regards to the Sagrada Familia, however for those who go on the proper time when the daylight immediately hits the stained glass home windows, the whole again facet of the cathedral is totally basked in an explosion of colors, and the columns tackle the colors of the home windows as does the ground and the guests. I teared up lol I had a guided tour and whereas that is most likely apparent to you guys I realized that the home windows clearly maintain weight, and as a substitute the columns are the weight-bearers. Their weblog talks about which columns bear what weight, and what they characterize 🙂

5. Palau de la Música Catalana – Barcelona, Spain

One other sudden favorite of mine. I visited all 9 of the UNESCO World Heritage Websites in Barcelona (7 items by Gaudi and a pair of by Montaner) and I beloved each Montaner buildings that I went to, however I used to be completely in awe by the fantastic thing about the Palau de la Musica. I used to play classical music so fairly halls are a dime a dozen however the glass ceiling was insane, although I’d've beloved to have seen it with pure gentle too.

6. Izumo Oyashiro (Taisha) – Shimane, Japan

7. Himeji Fortress – Hyogo, Japan

8. Ise Jingu – Mie, Japan

(Not really pictured as a result of pictures are prohibited), however not solely are pictures prohibited past the gates, you possibly can't really see the shrine as this can be very sacred (you possibly can catch a little bit of the rooftops although). I may speak for a 12 months about Ise Jingu however the shrine is attention-grabbing as a result of it’s rebuilt as soon as each 20 years, which to me is a extremely attention-grabbing option to protect historical past whereas having to face modernity and the inevitable of needing to exchange/keep constructed buildings.

9. Itsukushima Jinja – Hiroshima, Japan

Not an architectural notice, however be sure you go to at excessive tide so you possibly can see the shrine 'floating' on water. The image is from my second go to, however on my first go to I took the primary ferry at 6(?) am at excessive tide when it was nonetheless darkish. It’s one thing else to see an enormous shrine on prime of water, lit by orange-yellow lanterns.

10. Duomo di Milano – Milan, Italy

11. Hokokujinja Senjokaku Pavilion – Hiroshima, Japan

Most individuals go to Hiroshima to go to the peace park (designed by considered one of my favorite Japanese architects—Tange Kenzo—and likewise a surprising place) or the floating torii gate at Itsukushima Jinja, however my favorite place was Senjokaku Pavilion. I'm an enormous fan of ruins or issues that really feel a bit older. The pavilion is darkish, however the pure gentle and surroundings across the constructing, framed by the picket columns makes the surface appear to be an enormous portrait. The color distinction is so lovely to me.

https://preview.redd.it/m5v92fmz6shd1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f80e11b2c3195f3dd5d118926cdff30ac3d277ea

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My 'bucket listing' principally consists of discovering extra Kuma Kengo and Ando Tadao items (Ando is probably going my favorite architect). I’m nonetheless very unhappy that I missed the Nakagin Capsule Tower because the metabolism motion was an enormous focus in my course.

I’m not positive if anybody has tips about how you can 'respect' these areas higher past me simply making an attempt to learn as a lot as I can earlier than I go to. I wish to ask questions and perceive issues, and structure continues to be a really massive thriller to me (why is it constructed this fashion? why these supplies? was there dissent or assent for its development? The place did the finances come from? Have been there any 'errors' when it comes to practicality? What makes this architect/type/constructing distinctive or well-appreciated? and many others and many others). Whereas I'm having a variety of enjoyable studying and studying, I at all times really feel that my understanding could be very surface-level, however I suppose that's simply actuality. If I had the cash, I’d've beloved to return to highschool and take a number of extra structure programs…