Beijing National Stadium

20th and 21st-century architecture has transformed city centers with structures that push engineering boundaries. Observation towers like the Seattle Space Needle and experimental residential complexes like Habitat 67 in Montreal demonstrate the evolution of construction techniques. Architects have explored new forms using materials such as steel, glass, and concrete, creating structures that meet the growing demands of metropolitan areas. This collection includes buildings that marked their time with innovative design. In Barcelona, Antoni Gaudí's Casa Milà features a wavy facade that breaks traditional norms, while in London, 30 St Mary Axe incorporates energy-saving technologies into its 180-meter structure. From Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum clad in titanium to artificial islands shaped in the Persian Gulf in Dubai, these projects illustrate the diversity of architectural approaches worldwide. Each building reflects its urban context while offering solutions to technical and functional challenges of its era.

Chinese architecture spans modern skyscrapers, historic fortifications, and technical structures. From the glass bridge in Longtan Valley to the Canton Tower, these buildings combine tradition and modern technology. Temples, fortresses, and museums tell the country's history, while newer structures like the Tianjin Binhai Library and the Beijing National Stadium represent contemporary development. The collection includes examples from different regions across China. In Beijing stand the Phoenix Center, the National Stadium, and the Pangu Plaza. Shanghai houses the Oriental Pearl Tower and Nanjing Road. In Jiangsu Province, the Danyang-Kunshan Bridge extends for 102 miles (164 kilometers). The Canton Tower in Guangzhou reaches a height of 1,970 feet (600 meters). Historic sites complement the modern structures. The Xi'an City Wall in Shaanxi dates from the Ming Dynasty. The Ancient Town of Pingyao in Shanxi preserves traditional architecture from several centuries. The Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan was carved into a cliff face during the 8th century. The Wenchuan Earthquake Museum documents the 2008 natural disaster.

Jacques Herzog co-founded Herzog & de Meuron with Pierre de Meuron, an architecture firm that has completed projects across multiple continents. The portfolio includes museums, stadiums, residential buildings and cultural centers in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Each project responds to its specific urban context with tailored architectural solutions. Completed works include the conversion of the Tate Modern in London, the National Stadium in Beijing for the 2008 Olympics, the Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg, and the Pérez Art Museum in Miami. The buildings feature experimental facade treatments and innovative use of materials. Herzog & de Meuron received the Pritzker Prize in 2001.

Beijing offers photographers a mix of imperial palaces, Buddhist temples, traditional hutongs, and contemporary architecture. The city combines the Great Wall at Mutianyu and the Forbidden City with modern structures like the CCTV Headquarters and Bird's Nest stadium. Historic sites such as the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace stand alongside the 798 Art Zone and Sanlitun's bars. From the Bell and Drum Towers to the National Centre for the Performing Arts, this collection includes locations across multiple districts. Nanluoguxiang Hutong and Yandaixiejie Hutong showcase traditional alleyways, while Beihai Park and Jingshan Park provide elevated viewpoints. Temples like Yonghe and Fayuan, plus the ruins of the Old Summer Palace, add to the city's architectural variety for social media content.

This collection gathers the largest stadiums on the planet, ranked by seating capacity. From the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, India, which hosts major cricket matches, to the vast American university arenas dedicated to football, and the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea, these sports facilities demonstrate the scale that infrastructures for competitions and mass gatherings can reach. Each stadium has its own identity: some are exclusively dedicated to a specific sport, while others serve as flexible venues capable of hosting various events. Their sizes enable them to accommodate between 100,000 and over 150,000 spectators, providing organizers the opportunity to gather large crowds for international competitions, national finals, or major ceremonies.