Collections

Discover Japan's Enchanting Artisan Villages

These Japanese villages maintain traditional crafts in specialized workshops. Ogimachi produces silk goods, while Okawachiyama creates Nabeshima ceramics. The villages of Inami and Hida Takayama focus on wood carving. Wajima produces lacquerware using century-old techniques, and Arita is the birthplace of Japanese porcelain. Each location continues specific manufacturing methods passed down through generations.

Historic fortresses in Eastern Europe

From the Baltic to the Black Sea, fortresses and castles define the landscape of Eastern Europe. These structures reflect military architecture from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, displaying different defensive techniques and regional traditions. Some were built as border strongholds, others controlled trade routes or served as power centers for local rulers. Khotyn Fortress on the banks of the Dniester in Ukraine stands among the region's most significant defensive works. In Poland,...

Lighthouses of Canada: maritime navigation and coastal history

Canadian lighthouses: maritime navigation and coastal history

Stone circles: England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany and across Europe & USA

Stone circles stand among humanity's earliest architectural accomplishments, constructed by prehistoric communities across Europe and beyond over thousands of years. These circular arrangements of standing stones served multiple purposes, functioning as astronomical observatories where ancient peoples tracked celestial movements, seasonal changes, and solar events. The monuments also acted as communal gathering spaces for ceremonies, trade, and social activities. The engineering skills required...

Australian outback: natural landmarks, geology, desert landscapes

The Australian outback encompasses a vast territory featuring distinctive geological characteristics, including ancient sandstone formations, deep canyons, and expansive salt lakes. This region contains some of Earth's oldest landscapes, from the red monoliths of the Northern Territory to the layered rock formations of Western Australia. Visitors can explore underground settlements created as shelter from extreme temperatures, as well as impact craters dating back millions of years. The...

Indonesian temples: Borobudur, Prambanan, Java

The Indonesian temples from the 8th to 14th centuries display Buddhist and Hindu architecture of the Mataram and Singhasari kingdoms. The stone structures carry reliefs, sculptures, and religious symbols depicting deities such as Shiva, Buddha, and Vishnu. The complexes are located mainly on Java and Bali, where rice fields and volcanoes shape the landscape. Borobudur near Magelang forms the largest Buddhist temple in the region with nine levels and 2,672 relief panels. Prambanan in Klaten...

Amazon River and its natural areas

The Amazon River flows through the largest rainforest on Earth. Its tributaries house river dolphins and numerous species. Ancient petroglyphs document the region's history. The river spans multiple South American countries with varied ecosystems, from flooded forests to table mountains.

Himalayan monasteries and temples

Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayan mountain ranges display religious and architectural traditions dating from the 11th century. The buildings house art collections, sacred texts, and cultural artifacts. Many monasteries function as religious schools and preserve Tibetan Buddhist teachings.

Royal and presidential residences worldwide

These palaces serve as official seats for monarchs and presidents. The buildings combine historical architecture with political function and document the evolution of state power. The rooms and gardens showcase various architectural styles and political periods of their respective countries.

Architecture by Norman Foster

Norman Foster has shaped contemporary architecture through technical innovation and design clarity. His buildings feature extensive glass facades, exposed steel structures and energy systems. The Reichstag dome in Berlin with its spiral ramp and the circular Apple Park in Cupertino demonstrate his approach to combining function with geometric form. In London, Foster created several landmarks that define the city's modern skyline. The tower at 30 St Mary Axe, known as the "Gherkin" for its...

Architecture by Mies Van der Rohe worldwide

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe shaped 20th-century architecture. His buildings stand in European and North American cities and show his approach: clear geometry, steel and glass combined with open floor plans. Each project follows the principle of reducing to the essential and defining space through structure. In the United States, he designed the Farnsworth House in Illinois, a residence with glass walls set in a wooded area. In Chicago, he created several buildings, including Crown Hall on the...

Renzo Piano's architecture: buildings, museums, and more.

Renzo Piano, born in Genoa in 1937, has developed an architectural language over five decades that combines technical precision with human scale. His buildings are characterized by transparent facades, visible structural elements, and the integration of natural light. The Centre Pompidou in Paris, completed in 1977 with Richard Rogers, displays building services on the exterior. The Whitney Museum in New York uses industrial materials within a residential neighborhood. The Shard in London...

Antoni Gaudi architecture in Barcelona

Antoni Gaudí shaped Barcelona's cityscape with his modernist buildings that combine organic forms, natural motifs and structural innovations. His work spans more than four decades and includes residential buildings, parks, churches and experimental structures. The Sagrada Família, his monumental basilica under construction since 1882, demonstrates his understanding of geometry and light. Casa Batlló and Casa Milà show his ability to transform facades into sculptural surfaces, while Park Güell...

Philip Johnson architecture through modernist design

Philip Johnson designed buildings that brought together modernism and classical references, shaping how architecture developed through the 20th century. His work includes glass pavilions, office towers, public spaces, and cultural institutions. His designs show an interest in clean lines, reflective surfaces, and the relationship between interior spaces and their surroundings. The collection features the Glass House in New Canaan, a transparent residence set within the landscape, the Seagram...

Frank Gehry buildings

Frank Gehry designs buildings with curved metal facades, irregular forms and experimental construction methods. His work defines urban spaces from Bilbao to Los Angeles. The exterior surfaces use titanium, steel or glass formed into wave-like or folded volumes. The interior spaces accommodate art collections, concert halls and commercial offices. The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao displays titanium panels that reflect the light of the Basque coast. The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles...

Jean Nouvel Architecture: Contemporary Structures, Museums, and Skyscrapers

Jean Nouvel is among the most recognized French architects of our time. His work spans five continents, including museums, office towers, concert halls, and residential complexes. Each project demonstrates his ability to combine technical innovation with respect for the local context, whether through material choices, light manipulation, or integration into the existing urban fabric. Among his major works, the Louvre Abu Dhabi features a perforated dome that creates a shower of light, while the...

Frank Lloyd Wright architecture

Frank Lloyd Wright developed one of the most influential architectural styles of the 20th century over seven decades of practice. His buildings connect interior spaces with surrounding landscapes through horizontal lines, natural materials, and open floor plans. From the Prairie Houses of the Midwest to the post-war Usonian homes, Wright created designs that transformed American residential architecture. His major works include Fallingwater, built over a waterfall in Pennsylvania, the...

The 50 most beautiful castles in the world

Castles and palaces from different periods and regions reveal how architecture adapted to military needs, royal ambitions, or religious purposes. Some were built as fortresses, others served as residences or symbols of power. Construction styles range from medieval defenses to grand estates of later centuries. Each structure carries the mark of its time and its builders. This collection includes places such as Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, and the Alhambra in Granada....

Moshe Safdie Architecture: Major Works and Iconic Projects Worldwide

This collection brings together major works by architect Moshe Safdie, whose practice is distinguished by particular attention to natural light, outdoor spaces, and the integration of buildings into their surroundings. From Montreal to Singapore, through Jerusalem and several American cities, his projects demonstrate an approach that seeks to reconcile contemporary needs with respect for local contexts. Among the featured works are Habitat 67 in Montreal, an experimental residential complex...

Historic lighthouses: maritime architecture, navigation and history

Lighthouses tell the history of sailing with their shapes and building styles. Some go back to Roman times, like the Tower of Hercules in Galicia, a structure from the second century still working today. Others are from the Middle Ages, such as the Hook Lighthouse in Ireland, with its six-meter-thick stone walls. Later times left marks on the coast as well. The Kõpu Lighthouse in Estonia was built in 1531, and many from the 19th century can be seen along North American shores. These towers...