# What Is Your Favorite Building? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 24, 2009, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263 "2009-02-24T20:30:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/41 "2009-02-25T17:24:12Z")
For no personal relevance, but stretching the definition of building since it’s underground, would be the [Temples of Humankind](http://www.thetemples.org/) in Damanhur, for the breathtaking interiors. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/42 "2009-02-25T17:34:17Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > I love the [Cathedral of Learning](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_Learning) at the University of Pittsburgh. My mom’s from Pittsburgh, and when I was a little girl she took me there and showed me the nationality rooms . . . I hadn’t been to many big universities with cool buildings then and I just thought that place was It. I stumbled into that building by accident once on a visit to Pittsburgh, and agree that it was majorly cool–and not as well known as it deserves to be. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/43 "2009-02-25T17:50:12Z")
[La Sagrada Familia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagrada_Fam%C3%ADlia) in Barcelona, Spain. I went on a whirlwind tour of coastal Europe a few summers ago… saw one amazing thing after another… Michaelangelo’s _David_, the Parthenon, the Roman Coliseum… nothing affected me the way \*La Sagrada Familia \*did. First of all, [it completely dominates the landscape](http://eiffelover.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/p_61_la-sagrada-familia-barcelon.jpg). The best part about it is that it’s unfinished, and has been under construction for over a hundred years… so in addition to being a truly remarkable work of surrealist art (each facade is done in a different style, one which is designed by Gaudi) it’s also somewhat… alive. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/44 "2009-02-25T18:03:03Z")
[King’s College, Cambridge](http://cache.virtualtourist.com/505893-KIngs_College-Cambridge.jpg) is extremely impressive, when you see it through the trees for the first time, driving into Cambridge. ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/45 "2009-02-25T18:08:21Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, CA: > > [Winchester Mystery House - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Mystery_House) Is that worth visiting? I drove past it last time I was in San Jose and was tempted to do a tour. Is it worth it? If so, I’ll probably go visit it. ---
**Author:** ![cordylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@cordylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cordylus)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/46 "2009-02-25T18:10:00Z")
As a set I’ve got to go with the combo of the Michigan Ave bridge, Wrigley building and Tribune Tower in Chicago. [Link](http://www.nyhoff.net/wallpapers/chicago_01.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/47 "2009-02-25T18:27:02Z")
[Kingswood School Cranbrook](http://www.bayarea.net/~kins/AboutMe/Cranbrook/GIFs/Cranbrook_kingswood.jpg), Bloomfield Hills, MI, designed by the uncanny Eliel Saarinen in 1931. As a student at Cranbrook, their brother school, the memories of a beautifully conceived and appointed Moderne building crawling with bright and desirable young women will be with me unto the last. I’m especially grateful to Saarinen for the many secluded and homey nooks included in the plan. You haven’t lived until you’ve made out in a 2-lane basement bowling alley. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/48 "2009-02-25T18:45:01Z")
> [@Driver8](#): > > Is [the Winchester Mystery House] worth visiting? I drove past it last time I was in San Jose and was tempted to do a tour. Is it worth it? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/49 "2009-02-25T18:49:50Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > [La Sagrada Familia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagrada_Fam%C3%ADlia) in Barcelona, Spain. I don’t think that place will go over too well with all the folks here that have that cluster / pod phobia thingy.:eek: Not picking on your choice, **olives**. That building has always kind of ooged me out and I don’t even have the phobia. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/50 "2009-02-25T23:08:48Z")
> [@Driver8](#): > > Is that worth visiting? I drove past it last time I was in San Jose and was tempted to do a tour. Is it worth it? If so, I’ll probably go visit it. I saw it on this show. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7dy0TnZ_vpk/hqdefault.jpg "Winchester Mystery House") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dy0TnZ_vpk) Looks intriguing. ---
**Author:** ![Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Key_Lime_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/51 "2009-02-25T23:13:09Z")
> [@Staggerlee](#): > > One of my favourite buildings was a fairly old-looking skyscraper in Chicago which appeared to be clad in a black-marble-effect material, with gold trimmings. Any ideas which one I mean? I think it’s called the Carbon & Carbide Building. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/52 "2009-02-25T23:55:26Z")
This sounds ridiculous, I know, but I think the Chrysler Building may very well be the most beautiful thing ever constructed by man. I make it a point to go out specifically to shoot it [every time I go to NYC](http://www.flickr.com/photos/troymccluresf/sets/72157604677031115/). ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/53 "2009-02-26T01:23:16Z")
I’ve always been partial to the [AT&T Long Lines Building](http://www.nyc-architecture.com/SOH/SOH026.htm) in NYC. Was John Carl Warnecke channeling Howard Roark? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/54 "2009-02-26T04:21:23Z")
Another interesting one to see is the [Elephant Building](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Elephant_tower.jpg) here in Bangkok. Not all that difficult architecturally, but I like the whimsy that went into it. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/55 "2009-02-26T05:50:27Z")
Love that Elephant Building! Never heard of it before. Key Tower in Cleveland is one of my favorite recent skyscrapers. Perfect massing, proportions, setbacks and use of materials, IMHO. What was old is new again: [Key Tower - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_Tower) ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/56 "2009-02-26T06:41:39Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > [La Sagrada Familia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagrada_Fam%C3%ADlia) in Barcelona, Spain. > > I went on a whirlwind tour of coastal Europe a few summers ago… saw one amazing thing after another… Michaelangelo’s _David_, the Parthenon, the Roman Coliseum… nothing affected me the way \*La Sagrada Familia \*did. First of all, [it completely dominates the landscape](http://eiffelover.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/p_61_la-sagrada-familia-barcelon.jpg). The best part about it is that it’s unfinished, and has been under construction for over a hundred years… so in addition to being a truly remarkable work of surrealist art (each facade is done in a different style, one which is designed by Gaudi) it’s also somewhat… alive. This. And no photo can do justice to the reality of being there. I’ve seen some great cathedrals over the years, but \*Sagrada Familia \*makes them all seem ordinary. ---
**Author:** ![Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petrobey_Mavromihalis)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/57 "2009-02-26T08:43:33Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Someday before I die, I want to see the **Hagia Sophia**. You really should. And it’s surrounded by other fantastic buildings. Istanbul is my favourite city. I’m going with a couple of local choices: [Byzantine Convent of Pantannasa in Mystras.](http://www.2canadiansonbikes.com/photogallery/2006%20Greece%20Trip/Greece0611.jpg) [Podromos Monastery in Arcadia.](http://www.mlahanas.de/Greece/Regions/images/MoniPodromos.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Art\_Rock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/art_rock/32/525_2.png) [@Art\_Rock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Art_Rock)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/58 "2009-02-26T09:44:53Z")
Classical: Taj Mahal Modern: Gehry’s Bilbao Guggenheim Museum ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/59 "2009-02-26T14:33:50Z")
Some more pics of the glorious Key Tower: [![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8lHdC83CaUM/R3uf1zbKZyI/AAAAAAAAAII/AgZFoI7owTY/s320/key+tower+1+v1czcr+small.jpg) ](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8lHdC83CaUM/R3uf1zbKZyI/AAAAAAAAAII/AgZFoI7owTY/s320/key+tower+1+v1czcr+small.jpg) [http://www.city-skylines.de/cleveland/images/cleveland.jpg](http://www.city-skylines.de/cleveland/images/cleveland.jpg) [http://www.istockphoto.com/file\_thumbview\_approve/769844/2/istockphoto\_769844-key-tower-cleveland.jpg](http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/769844/2/istockphoto_769844-key-tower-cleveland.jpg) [http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/cleveland/keysun.jpg](http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/cleveland/keysun.jpg) [http://photovalet.com/data/comps/CLO/CLOV01P12\_18.jpg](http://photovalet.com/data/comps/CLO/CLOV01P12_18.jpg) (Terminal Tower on the left) [http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2007/12/large\_key.jpg](http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2007/12/large_key.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2009, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263/60 "2009-02-26T15:01:39Z")
[Longaberger headquarters](http://www.thom.org/photos/OHNWlongaberger.jpg). Looks pretty nice for novelty architecture. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-building/487263.md?page=4)