Explore 9 Must-See Modern Architectural Wonders

Explore remarkable architectural structures around the globe that reflect innovation and artistry.

Constructed within the past 150 years, these breathtaking edifices across the globe signify monuments that will endure through time.

From the Taj Mahal and the Leaning Tower of Pisa to the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower, architectural landmarks create some of travelers’ most lasting memories.

Indeed, buildings evoke endless fascination: as aesthetic manifestations, reflections of their era, cultural relics, symbols of human achievement and, importantly, as backdrops for remarkable photographs suitable for social sharing. As discourse about architectural feats deserving of dedicated exploration ensued, focus shifted away from renowned sites like Petra, the Giza Pyramids, Notre Dame and the temples of Kyoto, redirecting attention to structures of a more contemporary nature.

Presented below is a curated selection of buildings – notable, lesser-known, all initiated within the last 150 years – that are believed to withstand the passage of time.

Here is a compilation of nine modern architectural masterpieces to consider for your travel itinerary.

1. Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas, USA

Architect: Louis Kahn
Year completed: 1972

The extraordinary collection of masterpieces encapsulated within this compact museum – featuring renowned works by Caravaggio, Michelangelo, Velázquez, and Cézanne – serves as a compelling reason to visit Fort Worth. Equally noteworthy is the stark yet evocative architecture enveloping these works. With its barrel vaults, porticoes, and aesthetically pleasing landscaping, the structure reflects the architecture of ancient Rome, yet its smooth surfaces, devoid of ornamentation and illuminated by ingeniously designed skylights, allow the artwork to command attention. Consequently, the outcome is an architectural masterpiece that seamlessly blends into its surroundings.

Planning tip: Enhance your visit by dedicating an entire day to the museum, which includes the Museum of Modern Art located directly across the street. Its expansive galleries exhibiting Abstract Expressionists and contemporary creators serve as a delightful complement to the Kimbell’s artworks, which deliver a rewarding viewing experience.

Consider our recommendations for the best activities in Texas

2. Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia

Architect: Jørn Utzon
Year completed: 1973

The crown jewel of Sydney’s skyline and a pinnacle of 20th-century architectural innovation, the Sydney Opera House occupies a prime location on a peninsula overlooking Sydney Harbor. The iconic design consists of a collection of eight sail-like roofs, a highly technical feat of engineering that experienced challenges leading to a parting of ways between Danish architect Jørn Utzon and his client, necessitating the involvement of another architect to finalize the project. These roofs, reminiscent of flower petals radiating over the building, are constructed from over a million concrete tiles secured by 217 miles of tensioned steel cables.

Planning tip: While the performance venues anchor the building, visitors who do not attend a show can enjoy fabulous views of the harbor from the complex’s bars and lounges.

Explore our comprehensive guide to Sydney with children

3. La Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain

Architect: Antoni Gaudí
Year completed: ongoing (begun 1882)

Undoubtedly one of the most ambitious and striking architectural endeavors, Barcelona’s Temple of the Holy Family represents the pinnacle of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí’s unique vision, remaining incomplete nearly a century following his passing – a fact that adds to its allure. Remarkably, 140 years after the laying of its foundation stone, construction continues on this monument, which functions as both a church and one of Barcelona’s major attractions.

Inspired by nature, Gaudí’s design features 12,350ft- (3764m-)high towers adorned with colorful mosaics and filled with ringing bells; three grand façades; and a vast nave constructed without flying buttresses. As the church’s completion approaches, Gaudí’s fantastical yet profound vision continues to captivate visitors globally.

Discover charming neighborhoods in Barcelona to escape the throngs of tourists

4. Louvre Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Architect: Jean Nouvel
Year completed: 2017

As a significant emblem of Abu Dhabi’s attempt to position itself as Dubai’s more refined and cultured counterpart, this renowned museum draws numerous international visitors. The galleries feature artworks – including pieces on loan from its namesake in Paris and various other French institutions – displayed thematically, enabling viewers to compare and contrast works from varying cultures and continents in one location.

The museum’s roof is truly extraordinary. Jean Nouvel covered the white cubic galleries with a monumental steel dome (weighing an impressive 7000 tons) whose intricate patterns reflect the beauty of Islamic artistic geometries. The result is a captivating kaleidoscope of designs that shift as one navigates the museum, creating a continuous interplay of light and shadow that transforms the venue into an evolving art piece.

Planning tip: Positioning itself on Saadiyat Island, the Louvre Abu Dhabi extends into the Persian Gulf. Arriving via water taxi from Marsa Mina affords a chance to admire how the entire complex glimmers against the azure waters.

Essential information before visiting Abu Dhabi

5. Alára Concept Store, Lagos, Nigeria

Architect: David Adjaye
Year completed: 2015

This exquisite retail space exemplifies the dynamism and influence of Lagos’s fashion scene. Alára showcases a blend of contemporary African designers alongside prestigious fashion and lifestyle brands, such as Comme des Garçons and Saint Laurent – a creative assembly that has established the retailer as a leading force in Africa. To realize its bold vision, the company engaged renowned architect David Adjaye, a prominent figure in contemporary architecture, whose noteworthy projects include Abu Dhabi’s Abrahamic Family House and the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, DC. Within Adjaye’s red-pigmented concrete cube, a soaring atrium houses retail display areas, complemented by a continuous staircase ideal for social interaction. Translucent panels and geometric detailing pay homage to African motifs, distinguishing this hub of global luxury as genuinely representative of its cultural context.

Lagos offers a complex yet fascinating environment. Discover key insights before visiting this vibrant city

6. Fallingwater, Mill Run, Pennsylvania, USA

Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
Built: 1939

This iconic residence resembles an intricate Jenga arrangement, with a series of cantilevered terraces extending over the picturesque Bear Run stream in western Pennsylvania. As the quintessential embodiment of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision, Fallingwater appears to gracefully emerge from its scenic location, even as its sharp edges stand in stark contrast. This harmonious integration of natural and architectural elements has made it a pilgrimage site for those who appreciate how modern architecture can evoke profound emotion.

Planning tip: Fallingwater’s rural backdrop contributes to its allure; the nearest substantial city is Pittsburgh, located about a 75-minute drive away. Consider spending a weekend discovering the art scene of this former industrial center, including the Mattress Factory and the Andy Warhol Museum (the celebrated Pop artist was born in the area).

For further exploration in Pennsylvania, consider these scenic road trips in the Poconos

7. Cuadra San Cristobal, Mexico City, Mexico

Architect: Luis Barragán
Year completed: 1969

Mexican maestro Luis Barragán has garnered a loyal following among architecture enthusiasts – while visiting his former home and studio along with Casa Gilardi in central Mexico City is highly recommended, we contend that Cuadra San Cristobal showcases his exceptional blend of modernism and Mexican traditions. Positioned in the city’s outskirts, this architectural project evokes a rural hacienda: a private residence overlooks a courtyard where an inclined pool features a pump-like waterfall, and sharply angled archways cast precise shadows. The austerity of the forms is beautifully contrasted by the vivid pink and purple stucco enveloping the exterior walls, infusing the establishment with an exuberant Mexican character.

Planning tip: Cuadra San Cristobal continues to function as a private residence, thus access is limited. Currently, only the architectural guides of The Traveling Beetle facilitate entry through half-day tours (in a vintage Volkswagen bus). This experience is quite luxurious, yet Barragán’s legacy is certainly worthwhile.

Navigate Mexico City effortlessly with these transportation tips

8. Chapelle de Notre-Dame du Haut, Ronchamp, France

Architect: Le Corbusier
Year completed: 1955

Interestingly, one of the most significant contributions of modernist architect Le Corbusier may be his exceptional design for a humble church: the Chapelle de Notre-Dame du Haut. Erected to replace a chapel that attracted pilgrims for centuries before its destruction in World War II, Le Corbusier fashioned a lyrical, soaring structure from the typically unyielding material of concrete. The chapel’s funnel-shaped design directs attention toward the altar, while an ethereal vertical volume draws spectators’ gazes skyward. The intermittently painted windows allow vibrant light to cascade throughout the chapel, enriching the depth of contemplation for worshippers. Additionally, Le Corbusier designed the building – situated on a hill providing views of four mountain peaks – to include distinct areas for outdoor services and gatherings during pilgrimages.

Discover the essential experiences that France has to offer

9. National Stadium, Beijing, China

Architect: Herzog & de Meuron
Year completed: 2008

There is perhaps no more emblematic representation of China’s aspirations than the National Stadium, colloquially referred to as the Bird’s Nest, which hosted both the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics. Designed in tandem with dissident artist Ai Weiwei, the stadium’s circular configuration drew inspiration from traditional ceramic forms, encased in a lattice of twisted steel that creates a spectacular glow during nighttime.