Architecture in America is very diverse. In many U.S. cities, you can see a variety of design and from many periods of history. If you are planning a cross-country trip and want to see some great American buildings, consider these that we found to be the coolest architecture and design.
Empire State Building, New York
The Empire State Building is 102 stories high and is a true icon of New York City. It was completed in 1931, by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, and is in Art-Deco design. You can take an elevator to the top for breathtaking views from the observation deck of the surrounding city. This landmark is one to visit if the Big Apple is on your list of destinations.
Guggenheim Museum, New York
The Guggenheim Museum is a great place to explore art exhibitions. But the building itself is a piece of art! It is truly unique with its cylindrical free-flowing design. Finished in 1956, after both the deaths of both Solomon R. Guggenheim and Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect. James Johnson Sweeney finished the construction of the building which has been said to be both awkward and beautiful.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston
The 125-foot tall concrete building, the JFK Presidential Library, and Museum, opened in 1979. It was designed by architect I.M. Pei, who, at the time was a relatively unknown architect. His design uses simple geometric shapes and a meticulously landscaped grounds.
Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles
Frank Gehry’s 2003 concert hall in Los Angeles is known as the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Its design is certainly free-flowing and uses a variety of materials including stainless steel. Inside the design is polar opposite and includes rich woods like Fir and Oak that provide wonderful acoustics for the building’s concerts.
Space Needle, Seattle
Architect Tom Kundig designed Seattle’s famous Space Needle. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, it is now an observation tower standing 605 feet tall. It allows for 360-degree views of the city and even has a restaurant at the top.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
This 1.7-mile suspension bridge can be said to be the most famous in America. There were several engineers who designed a bridge to span across San Francisco Bay, but it was Joseph Baermann Strauss’s design that was built in 1937. The bridge is not named for its color, rather the Golden Gate Strait which is a narrow entrance between the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay. The bridge itself is painted in orange to accentuate its features.
The White House, Washington, D.C.
Our nation’s capital has numerous inspiring architecture but The White House made our list for its neoclassical design. Irish-born architect James Hoban designed the house for the first president, George Washington in 1800. The White House has undergone some changes and updates throughout the years. It has been documented to have 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators. That’s a lot of house! White House tours to the public are held almost every day.
PSFS Building, Philadelphia
Now known as the Loews Hotel, this 581-room hotel is in America’s first International Style-skyscraper. Built in 1932, it was designed by architects by architects William Lescaze and George Howe. The skyscraper is topped by a red neon sign with the Philadelphia Saving Fund Society’s initials (PSFS) on it which the building was originally constructed for.
Chicago Building, Chicago
The Chicago Savings Bank Building was, built in 1905 and designed by architectural firm Holabird & Roche. It is one of many buildings in the city that follow what is known as “ Chicago school of architecture”. These structures are metal framed with very large windows and terra cotta cladding. The Chicago Building makes for a beautiful city to visit.
Luxor Hotel, Las Vegas
One of the most impressive buildings in Las Vegas, the Luxor Hotel was built in 1993 and is considered “postmodern” architecture. It was designed by renowned hotel architect, Veldon Simpson. The building features an ancient Egyptian theme complete with a pyramid. Definitely, this is a popular destination on the strip.
We hope you enjoyed reading about cool buildings in the U.S.A. Which one would you like to visit first?
