Bodegas Ysios (Álava, Spain)

Bodegas Ysios was designed by the award-winning architect Santiago Calatrava in 2001.  The building covers 8,000 square metres and was created to accomodate the precise and rigorous program of spaces needed to make, store and sell wine.  It also serves as icon for the Bodegas and Bebidas group's prestigeous new wine "la Rioja Alavesa".

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The Adam & Eve Hotel

The Adam & Eve Hotel, Antalya, Turkey looks fantastic, even though there isn't a curve in sight.  The different coloured windows bring life to what otherwise would bear significant resemblance to a multi-storey carpark.

Does it "wow" you?  What other drab buildings/objects could be improved by adding colour?

The British Library

The British Library, London has so many architectural "wow"s that I was spoilt for choice.  Here are a few:

But I highly recommend looking yourself if you get the opportunity.  The British Library is open from 09.30-18.00 on Mon, Wed, Thurs & Friday, until 20.00 on Tuesdays, 09.30-17.00 on Saturdays and 11.00-17.00 on Sundays and public holidays.

And then it also contains "wow"s such as this:

Which "wow" you?


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Melted Staircase

This "melted staircase" in the Longchamp Store, NYC, USA is mindboggling.  Not least how it could be constructed for use without becoming a major health&safety problem.  If it wasn't for the railings you'd think it was a painting.

What do you think? Would you walk up it? Does it "wow" you?

Ice Hotel, Sweden

Ever fancied sleeping at -5˚ on a bed made of blocks of ice and reindeer skin? If you have you're in luck. The Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden was the first and is the largest of its kind. Constructed of 10,000 tonnes of ice and 30,000 tonnes of snow, each year the hotel melts down to a "mere" 1,000 tonnes and has to be rebuilt. And each time it is built to a different theme.

Even the glasses in the bar are made of ice.

Does it "wow" you?


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Queen's House Staircase

The Tulip Stairs were the first centrally unsupported spiral stairs constructed in England, and they're a work of art.  They are part of the Queen's House, Greenwich, England, built between 1614-17 by architect Inigo Jones.  The house is open to the public (free of charge) from 10.00-17.00 most days as it's part of the National Maritime Museum.

If it doesn't "wow" you, perhaps the floor of the Great Hall will:

What do you think?

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