The last building is the Osaka Maritime Museum in Japan. Andreu finished this project in just two years, starting in 1998 and finishing in 2000.  The design is very similar to the Grand Theatre, also featuring a spherical shape rising out of the water. Impressively, the building received the Institution of Structural Engineers 2002 Structural Special Award for its ability to withstand wind, waves, and earthquakes. I really like the domes appearance and color, as it blends in with the color of the waves smoothly. The glass also gives the museum some mystery, possibly causing a passerby to wonder what hides inside. I really liked this design and think it is my favorite one by Andreu.

The third building, and one of Andreu’s most famous, is the Charles De Gaulle Airport terminal 1.  The modernist terminal was opened in 1974, and has since been a major photography spot in Paris. It was one of Andreu’s first major works, and he went on to design many more airports. Andreu was in charge of other terminal designs in the airport, but unfortunately Terminal 2E partially collapsed in 2002, resulting in 4 deaths. The escalators are the glass tubes in the pictures above, and deliver passengers from upper level arrival gates to the lower level exit in style. I really like the circular design of the terminal, and it seems like a very open, abstract piece of architecture.

The second design by Andreu I enjoyed was the National Grand Theatre of China in Bejing. Andreu was commissioned in 2001 and completed the so called “Giant Egg” in 2007. Andreu designed many cultural buildings in China, and the Grand Theatre is an immensely popular destination. I really liked the oval shape of the theatre, and the broad expanse of windows on the side make it appear alive. The lights also reflect beautifully on the water surrounding the theatre, giving it a magical ambience.

Paul Andreu was a French Architect who designed many magnificent buildings and airports, including the Grande Arche at La Defense in Paris. This imposing monument was built to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution and was initially begun by the Architect Johan Otto von Spreckelsen; however, Spreckelsen eventually resigned and Andreu finished the project in 1989 with enginner Erik Reitzel. I really like the dominating presence of this design, and the optical effect of the sky being visible through the archway is quite breathtaking.

I was born in the great state of Louisiana and the capitol building in Baton Rouge is one of my favorite governmental pieces of architecture. The front of it is checkered with windows and creates a nice pattern. The broad base creates a sense of power and control. The first time I saw it was on a field trip in my elementary school, and I fell in love immediately. We went to the top of the tower and looked out over the city; I felt like I could see for miles upon miles. It was one of the coolest experiences I had growing up. Also pictured is the bullet hole where Governor Huey Long was shot while in office. When I visited, I was able to stick my fingers in that exact same hole. It felt like I was a part of history. The building remains one of my favorite capitols in the U.S.A because of its beautiful architecture and the since of history I felt when I first visited.

When I was a kid, I moved around a lot. The second place I came to call home was a suburb of Chicago called Frankfurt. It was the first time I was close to a big city and I still remember how amazed I was at the height of the Willis Tower. It was the tallest thing I had ever seen (I was only 10) and made me feel quite small. The tower has a modern style and looks almost like a bunch of Lego blocks. The twin antennas on the top seemed almost to brush the clouds when I first saw them. I love the simple black theme of the tower, as it is not too distracting and allows you to focus on the interesting shape. It dominates the Chicago skyline and was once the tallest building in the world. I think the Willis Tower is one of my favorite skyscrapers I’ve ever seen because of the amazement I felt the first time I saw it as a kid.

The Bizzell Memorial Library (or the Biz) is one of the first buildings I fell in love with on campus. Its gothic architecture on the front steps remind me of an Ivy League campus and inspired a sense of learning in me when I was on a tour as a junior in high school. Plus, the red brick and white stone create a nice contrast that is easy on the eyes. What really took my breath away was the Hogwarts-esque Great Reading Room. The high ceilings and lanterns draw the eye up towards the heavens for inspiration. The dark wood and books on the shelf reinforce the theme of learning, which is always present in the silence of the Great Reading Room. Now as a Junior, the Biz is still my favorite place to study. Nowhere else on campus makes me feel like a student like the Biz does. It reminds me of why I came to OU and pushes me to study harder every time I visit.

The Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal is one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture I have ever been lucky enough to witness. From the outside, its soaring towers seem majestic and intimidating. However, once inside a warm plethora of colors bombard the viewer. I was in Montreal for a cousin’s wedding and we happened to stop by this amazing church. It was my first time inside such a grand cathedral and I was in awe at the craftsmanship of the building. Each column is ornately detailed with different figures and colors, and the height of them draws the eye up to the breathtaking roof. The church is massive inside with multiple side chapels joined to the main nave. It was built in 1829 and the engineering feats that were accomplished to build this grand cathedral still amaze me. While I wasn’t lucky enough to see a service performed, the sheer beauty of the architecture will stay with me forever.