Since we lived in caves humankind was on a building rampage. We spent huge amounts of resources on building ever bigger, nicer and comfier caves.

But does a modern (single) person or a small family really need a huge house with a lot of space? Big houses mean more heating, more electricity and more building material. And more big individual houses mean wider spread cities and longer drives to work, school and shopping. Look at the typical American city - which are spread all over the countryside, they are not well planned, they don’t mix work, shopping and entertainment areas together, so long drives are normal.

Spacious individualism is expensive and eats loads of resources.

Isn’t it time for a new modesty - by combining minimalism, comfort and efficiency. We don’t need to resort to ugly skyscrapers, but we should be smarter about building our homes and cities.

Ah, finally you can piss on the world you have conquered. I wonder of that was designed by a male architect with a dickish attitude or someone who wanted to see if his employees can keep up the pressure, once they raise above a certain position?

Like the Eiffel Tower the Atomium was built only to last  for one short exhibition in 1958. Now it’s one of Brussels signature buildings and a true icon of the 20th century.

Can’t wait for someone to build a DNAnium …

More? Atomium @ Wikipedia and check out their cool website too Atomium.be

If you like Ikea you might buy more than your furniture or cake next time you visit the Swedes. They offer a wide range of homes made from pre-fabricated parts.

I am not sure if you assemble the whole thing with just a screwdriver? How big is the manual? And what to do when some part are missing?

More? Official Site and the Ikea Wikipedia entry

Most of the (continental) old Europe was either killed in Word War II or demolished to make way for modern car-based cities.

Even big cities like Paris, Warsaw, Hamburg, Amsterdam and Berlin had many almost medieval city centers and places. Only a few survived - most of those old building are recreations.

But maybe it’s a good thing - if you travel to Switzerland (a country so neutral it doesn’t know what war means - apart from ripping off fugitives) - everything there feels like Disney Land, because most of it’s old buildings are still there. Renewal often means destruction - and destruction of means war or a mad emperor burning down your city.

London City Hall is a great landmark and worth a visit. It looks like a spaceship from a Japanese SciFi flick - crashed near the river. But it’s round shape makes it even more intriguing.

I like the great difference between the modern look and the old places of power - which were usually styled to impress and intimidate people.

Visit this Gallery and these great 3d panoramas for more.

There is still so much that can be improved - like semitransparent concrete. I think this could be a great energy saver for industrial buildings. Great idea!

Click image for a larger version.

Old European Opera houses are the pinnacle of old nationalist countries. Exquisite design for the upper class and later the emerging rich bourgeoisie. But also the different levels, boxes and seating’s reflect the societies at that time: the king / ruler gets the center of attention and most space - while the prols have to stand somewhere in the back. Design as a reflection of society …

I have only one thing to say about this building: fucking amazing!

I rest my case!

Seriously: this great piece of art and many buildings of Maestro Gehry are my main argument against boring modern architecture. Buildings don’t have to be straight and boring - the ‘box’ model should be a thing of the past. We can design and build better houses today: more interesting on the outside and environmentally friendly on the inside.

More? Wikipedia entry, Official Website and don’t miss to explore all these great shot on Flickr.