#Architectural Icons – 30 Beautiful Modern Buildings From Around The World

7. Guggenheim, Bilbao, Spain

Designed by Canadian-born Frank Gehry, this confection of glass, titanium and limestone seems to float above the river it’s built beside. Built at a cost of around US$489 million, it houses contemporary works by both Spanish and international artists, as well as having an important exhibition schedule, and was opened in 1997 to both critical and public acclaim. Indeed, it had such a regenerative effect on the surrounding area that the expression “the Blibao effect’ was coined to sum up the transformative effect of art on a city’s failing fortunes.

8. Milwaukee Art Museum, Wisconsin, USA

One of the largest museums in the United States, the work of three legendary architects – Eero Saarinen, David Kahler and Santiago Calatrava – are combined here, although it’s probably the 2001 Calatrava addition that the museum is best known for. This Quadracci Pavilion includes huge movable wings that open up during the day and fold protectively over the structure at night or in poor weather.