In curating this collection of airy, sinuous and cutout architecture, the single word I could think of to describe it all was airchitecture. About the only thing these incredible airchitecture designs have in common is that they integrate airflow as a key design cue; each building, however, takes a completely different approach.
In this slideshow of airchitecture, you’ll see latticed public spaces, cube-shaped construction that maximizes natural light, futuristic papercraft-inspired towers and Swiss cheese offices. Are you in love with airchitecture as I am?
49 Impressive Airchitecture Designs
From Latticed Towers to Sinuous Papercraft Buildings:
Marissa Brassfield — Nov 2, 2009 — Art & Design
49
Awesome Architecture in Iran
Incredible Buildings You Never Knew About
48
Cube-Shaped Architecture
Taipei Performing Arts Center is a Building for Blockheads
47
3D Triangle Architecture
DIY Reykjavik Pavilion by Shift Architects Questions Iceland's Futu
46
Otherworldly Places of Worship
Incredible Religious Architecture Inspires Piety
45
Small-Space Architecture
The Angular and Super-Compact '63.02 House' in Japan
44
LED Latticed Nightclubs
Club NOX is a Study in Beats and Badass Brazilian Basket-Weaving
43
Fantasy-Filled Architecture
Dalki Theme Park Encourages Creativity in Children
42
Thunderstorm Architecture
Tornado-Like 'Helix' Building Blows Them Away in Abu Dhabi
41
Lace-Pattern Architecture
The XTEN 'Sapphire Gallery' Accommodates Fairy Tale Art
40
Bubble Architecture
The Work of Chris Bosse
39
Flaked Light Architecture
Hongbo Lu Proposes Flying Color Building for Dubai
38
Conch Architecture
Kotaro Ide's Seashell House Is Nestled in the Forests of Japan
37
Latticed Public Architecture
Redesigned Queens Museum of Art Boasts Web-Like Structure
36
Papercut Architecture
Polish Pavilion at Expo 2010 Channels Cultural Tradition
35
Sand Dune Architecture
UAE Pavilion Will Shimmer, Morph and Change Color
34
Giant Exhaust Fan Architecture
The Anara Tower in Dubai
33
Open Lattice Bike Frame Design
Arantix IsoTruss Mountain Bike Frame
32
Flowing River Architecture
Cairo Expo City by Zaha Hadid Was Inspired by Egypt's Nile
31
Cobweb Architecture
The Villamoda Galleries Frame Hotel Weaves into the WAN Awards 2009
30
Water-Filtering Bridges
China's Miyi Tower Will Clean River Below, Foster Cultural Arts Above
29
Apocalyptic Architecture
The Endangered Seed Archive Looks Like An Ice Palace
28
Metal Mesh Architecture
Marcelo Alvarenga Creates Metallic Knit Storefront for Coven
27
Spherical Car Showrooms
Manuelle Gautrand Architecture's Store of the Future
26
Giant Courtyard Architecture
Zaha Hadid's Chaoyangmen Beijing SOHO III Project
25
Airy, Sinuous Architecture
Old World Italy Goes Contemporary With the Regium Waterfront
24
Awe-Inspiring Church Architecture
Incredible Places of Worship
23
Fanned Architecture
Brendan Smithers' ‘Memory' Sculpture for Afrika Burn Art Festival
22
Termite-Inspired Mega Buildings
Ultima Tower
21
Aortic Architecture
The Heart Influences This Urban Building Design
20
Shuttered Volcano Architecture
The Taichung Convention Center Ecorupts in Taiwan
19
Peeling Architecture
Camenzind Evolution Design Creates Swirling Cocoon Offices
18
Latticed Paper Art
Hunter Stabler's Intricate Cutouts Are Absolutely Immaculate
17
Latticed Restaurants
Tori-Tori Restaurant by Rojkind Arquitectos & Esrawe Studio in Mexico
16
Architecture for Gamers
Sako FlatFlat Store Design Combines Real and Virtual Reality
15
Secretive Research Architecture
Nunnmps Building On Stilts to Protect Privacy
14
Slopechitecture
Kaponik Ski Resort Builds Insane Ski Jump Structure in Serbia
13
Hair-Inspired Architecture
The Strand Barber Shop Project
12
Bejing Olympics Architecture
Herzog & de Meuron's National Stadium
11
Lacy Bazaarchitecture
Rak Jebel Al Jais Resort is Wedged Into the Dubai Mountains
10
Race Car Architecture
Michael Schumacher World Champion Tower in Abu Dhbai
9
Latticed Architecture
The Eco Triangle Garden House by Tham & Videgard Hansson
8
Cheese Grater Architecture
The 'O House' by Philippe Stubbei is a Celebration of Circles
7
Genetic Architecture Incorporates Creative Surroundings
3deluxe Glass Cube
6
Architectural Festivals
Beyond Media Celebrates 9th Edition in Florence, Italy
5
Pipe Branch Architecture
Suppose Design Office Turns the Diesel Denim Gallery to a Nature Factory
4
Cactus-Shaped Architecture
Green Cactus Building Sheds Sustainable Spikes in Qatar
3
Papercraft-Inspired Buildings
Unexpected Polish Architecture for Shanghai Exhibition Hall
2
Swiss Cheese Architecture
Bubbly ‘Boolean' Interior Installation at U of Tokyo
1
Eco Golf Ball Architecture
Plastic Pavilion for Disney's Trilli
Related Ideas
AI-Generated Paper Architecture Series
Tim Fu Tests Out New AI Model for Architectural Design
Ultra-Modern Apartment Designs
No Architects Created a Multi-Functional Modern Apartment
Architectural Luxury Handbags
The Louis Vuitton x Frank Gehry Collection is an Exploration of Form
AI-Powered Architectural Footwear
Str4ngeThing Envisions a Set of Renaissance Architecture Shoes
3D-Printed House Neighborhoods
EYRC and Mighty Buildings Develop the Suburbs of the Future
Cat-Centric Compact Homes
This Japanese Dwelling Embraces Feline-Friendly Design Choices
Venetian-Inspired Museum Designs
The Conceptual Floating Glass Museum is AI-Generated
Cube-Combining Tiny Homes
This Unique Tiny Home Uses Modular Spaces to Enable Flexible Use
Plant-Filled Latticed Buildings
Wallflower Architecture + Design Creates the Touching Eden House
Supermarket-Style Pavilions
Venice Architecture Biennale's Latvian Pavilion Has a Familiar Form
Cactus-Inspired Urban Skyscrapers
This Danish Skyscraper Features a Spiky Facade Design
Prefabricated Miniature Home Concepts
i29 Creates the Câpsula Concept for Dutch Design Week
Futuristic Auto Micro Factories
Most Architecture Unveils a Modern Factory for Charge Cars
Ultra-Slick Modern Apartment Interiors
Note Design Studio Works on the Cloudy Outlines Project
Contemporary All-White Homes
BHY Arquitectos Design a Stunning All-White Residence in Argentina
War Plane-Inspired Off-Grid Homes
Peter Markos Designs the Tiny Monocoque Cabin
Arts and Crafts-Inspired Homes
Rural Office Designs the Middle Avenue House in Surrey
Floral Field-Inspired Townhomes
Tariq Khayyat Design Partners Designs the Fold in Dubai
Homely Office Spaces
Johan Sundberg Arkitektur Emphasizes Material Juxtaposition in This Design
Beautifully Sculptural Concrete Museums
Qatar Museums Unveils Official Images of the Lusail Museum
Modern Multi-Purpose Japanese Buildings
Akio Isshiki Architect Overhauls an Old Wooden Building
Sculptural Dynamic London Hotels
Discommon Designs the Concorde Structure in the Peninsula Hotel
Bauhaus-Inspired Pattern Collections
Design En Rogue Architecture Recently Debuted Its New Line
Artful Wooden Pavilions
Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónia Designs the Orchid Pavilion
Circus Tent-Inspired Holiday Homes
Cubo Design Architect Designs the Circus Home in Japan
Elevated Airy Office Designs
The 'Aerie' Office Sits High Above the San Francisco Landscape
Box-Like Innovative Apartment Designs
Photon Studio's Designs the Box in the Box Apartment
Everchanging Water-Based Theaters
Open Architecture Designs the Yichang Grand Theater in China
Glossy Panelled Pentagonal Buildings
JM Architecture Designs the Pinwheel Building in Italy
Water-Inspired Theatre Designs
Open Architecture Unveils Its Plans for the Yichang Grand Theatre
Compact Pink Residences
PHTAA Designs House R3 as a Blocky Structure with Curving Glass
Energy-Efficient Office Buildings
This Czech Office Complex is Outfitted With Eco-Friendly Designs
Town-Like Classroom Designs
Atelier Apeiron Designs the Kindergarten of Museum Forest Building
Playful Public Seating Designs
The London Festival of Architecture Boasts a Series of Seats
Ecological Dual Lampshade Designs
Adam Tihany and Contardi Lighting Design the Air Light
Vertical Formed Lighting Collections
Frédéric Malphettes Designs the Tower Lighting Series
Meticulous Paper-Stacked Chairs
Brian Thoreen Creates the Paragraphic in Four Stacks Chairs
Sand Dune-Inspired Airport Roofs
Kohn Pedersen Fox Completes a Terminal Design
Minimalist Monochromatic Desk Designs
The Arqus Desk Prioritizes an Airy Feel
High Concrete Walled Homes
Cesar Mancillas Creates a Linear Home with Tranquil Elements
Modern-Updated Traditional Homes
KiKi ARCHi Designs the Skip House in the Middle of Beijing
Wavy Metal Facades
SO-IL's 9 Chapel Residential Tower Offers a Istinctive Architectural Vision
Bamboo-Inspired Cultural Buildings
This Cultural Center Seamlessly Blends Into its Surroundings
Cityscape-Like Cat Furniture
La Jato del Gato Designs the Mocats Multifunctional Indoor Furniture
Traditional Japan-Honoring Homes
Cubo Design Architects Designs the C4L House in Tokyo
Monolithic Concrete-Clad Pavilions
Alberto Campo Baeza Collaborated with Miguel Quismondo
Toy Brick-Inspired Studios
Sukchulmok Designs the Curving Block Photography Studio
Lotus Plant-Inspired Skyscrapers
Aedas Designs the Pair of One Future Buildings Lined with Bronze
Dynamic Y-Shaped Glazed Houses
Saunders Architecture Designs the Y House in Alberta
Organic Modern Hawaiian Skyscrapers
Arquitectonica Designs the Launiu Skyscraper in Hawaii
Subterranean Courtyard Galleries
Buzz Designs the Hermit Space Yards in Beijing Park
Roof-Planed Cascading Homes
Worrell Yeung Designs a New Home by Candlewood Lake in Connecticut
Cylindrical Cog-Stacking Buildings
This Dutch Building's Eyecatching Design Symbolizes Diversity
Y-Shaped Community Pavilions
Sam Crawford Architects Creates a Red-Roof Pavilion in Sydney
Playfully Angular House Designs
Takeshi Hirobe Architects Design the Villa MKZ in Japan
Village-Inspired Tapered Stone Airport
Foster + Partners Designs a Set of Stone Buildings
Balanced Grass-Topped Homes
RO_AR Designs a Beautiful Dwelling in the Czech Republic
Shed-Like Storage Facilities
Lahznimmo Architects Designs the Powerhouse Castle Hill
Self-Sustaining Houses
Archiopteryx Designs the People Tree House in Noida, India
Multifunctional Circular Housing Blocks
Gensler's EVE Park Design has Integrated EV Parking Towers
Feather-Like Airport Terminal Designs
Mad Designs Terminal 3 at the Changchun Longjia Airport
Reconfigured Spacious Brooklyn Homes
Light & Air Design the Z House with an Open and Bright Look
Air Purifying Architectural Towers
Studio Symbiosis Designs the Verto Air Purification Tower
Accordion-Style Air Conditioners
The Conceptual 'Foldable AC' Expands and Contracts
Origami-Inspired Seating Capsule
Ames Living's New Seating Line Relies on Origami-Inspired Design
Avian-Inspired Luxury Residences
This Hill-Top Costa Rican Home is Inspired By Bird Plumage
Mid-Century Modern Historical Homes
SHED Architecture & Design Creates the Lark House
Figure 8-Structured House
Silvia Fiarman and Alexis Dornier Design the Loop House in Bali
Minimalist Bird-Watching Pavilions
Jesús Vassall & Graduate Students Designed a Slick Pavilion
Optical Illusion Replica Artworks
Leandro Erlich Forms the Building in the Liberty Science Center
Architecture-Inspired Home Sculptures
Origin Made Spotlights the Spiral and Flight Sculptures
Generously Glazed Spiral Buildings
This Building is Inspired By Czech Glassmaking Tradition
Tri-Tower Skyscraper Developments
These Chinese Towers Pay Tribute to An Erstwhile Village
Crystalline Chinese Museum Buildings
The 'Space Crystal' Building Looks Like An Otherworldly Rock
Local Craft-Shown Bamboo Pavilions
AtArchitecture Designs the Northeast Pavilion for an Art Fair
Log Cabin-Inspired Minimal Homes
Gartnerfuglen Arkitkter Designs the Årestua Home in Telemark
Sustainable Tall Japanese Skyscrapers
Pelli Clarke & Partners Designs the Mori JP Tower
Floating-Style Classroom Designs
Ennead Architects & Rockwell Group Completes the Bloomberg Center
Metal-Wrapped Exhibition Spaces
Trace Architecture Office Creates a Structural Steel Wrap
Artful Garden Inflatable Spheres
Nic Brundson Designs the (This is) Air Project in Melbourne
Community Hub Timber Pavilions
The Craft Not Carbon Pavilion Raises in London's Park
Monolithic Sleek Summer Homes
Jan Henrik Jansen Arkitekter Creates the Vollerup Atrium Home
Curvaceous Brick Forest Homes
Blurring Boundaries Designs the Asmalay Home in a Forest
Live-In Art Gallery Homes
Casa Galeria is a Home That Doubles as an Art Gallery
Sculptural Canteliver Concrete Houses
Espacio 18 Arquitectura Designs the Casa del Alma
Water-Inspired Sales Building
CIFI Group's New Office Reflects a Frozen Fluid Aesthetic
Inconspicuous Art Museums
Wang Chong Studio Designs a Beautifully Expressive Building
Carbon Concrete Cubic Buildings
Henn and the Technical University of Dresden Design the Cube
Greenery-Topped Winery Designs
This Czech Winery Complex Pays Tribute to its Green Surroundings
Star-Shaped Structural Pavilions
Mass Studies Unveils the Visuals for the Archipelagic Void
Minimalist Circular Churches
ARQBR Completes a Circular Church in Braslia, Brazil
Long Geometric Hawaiian Guesthomes
Hahn Lavsen Creates the Vipp Cold Hawaii Guesthouse
Traditional Garden-Inspired Cultural Centers
Open Architecture Designs the Shanfeng Academy
Geometric African Homes
Gregory Katz Architecture Designs the Great Primary Shapes Home
Stacked Timber Office Buildings
De Zwarte Hond Designs the Headquarters of Alliander
Spiky Inflatable Sculptures
Steve Messam Presents His Sculptures During Clerkenwell Design Week
Cutout Roof Cement-Clad Homes
Edition Office Designs a Home with a Focus on Tree Views
Stunning Ecuadorean Skyscrapers
This New Skyscraper is Inspired By Local Architecture & Culture
Sustainable Cubic Homes
Appels Architekten Designs a New Wooden Home in Germany
Perforated Facade Urban Home
Paperfarm Designs the Contemporary Veil House in Taiwan
Waved Metal-Wrapped Buildings
SO-IL Designs the 9 Chapel Residences Located in Brooklyn
Renovated Asymmetric Building Projects
Formation Association Designs the Atwater Canyon Building
Natural Landscape-Surrounding Homes
All(zone) Designs the Under the Rain Trees Holiday Home
3D-Printed Public Pavilion Prototypes
Hassell Works with Nagami on a New Public Pavilion
Bright Red Timber Buildings
Office ParkScheerbarth Designs the Compact Haus 2+ in Berlin
Italian 4-Story Loft Apartments
lamatilde Designs the Casa MRGT Apartment Project in Turin
Latticed-Steel Transport Hub Columns
Tremend Designs the Metropolitan Station in Lublin
Spine-Based Central Design Buildings
Foster + Partners Designs the Hangzhou Center
Lighthouse-Functioning Concrete Structures
Lin Architecture Creates the Concrete Pavilion in China
Pale Yellow Minimal Townhomes
i.B. Archstudio Designs the VVV Townhouse with Pastel Hues
Reinforced Concrete Housing Sets
Atelier Rampazzi Designs the Residenza Carèsg Row of Homes
Spiralling Stainless-Steel Cultural Center
Clouds AO Designs the New 010 Building in Fukuoka
Pyramidal Roof Steel-Framed Homes
Niall McLaughlin Architects Designs the Saltmarsh House
Open-Air Kenyan Holiday Homes
PAT Renovates the Falcon House with Passive Cooling Systems
Curved Brick Rooftop Structures
Sukchulmok Adds New Structure to the Parconido Bakery Cafe
Clear Glazing Compact Residences
IGArchitects Designs the Check Patterned House in Japan
Lantern-Like Tea House Pavilions
Grau Architects Designs the Tea House Pavilion by the Lake
Sculptural Staircase Penthouses
Tria Arquitetura Designs the New Frederic Chopin Apartment
Contemporary Stacked Residences
StudioAC Designs the Everden Residence with Minimal Details
Industrial Warehouse-Inspired Offices
Carr Designs a New Office Block with Industrial Themes
Oversized Thatched-Roof Health Resorts
Ingenhoven Architecture Designs the Lanserhof Sylt Resort
Ice Block-Formed Pavilions
BIAD Creates the Ceremonial Falling Hours Pavilion for Visitors
Nomadic Community-Themed Pavilions
Joar Nango Designs Girjegumpi: The Sámi Architecture Library
Textile-Inspired Skyscraper Designs
Snøhetta Unveils the Airside Skyscraper at the Kai Tak Airport
Vacant Wood-Clad Offices
Kurosawa Kawara-ten Designs the Ichihara Life and Work Commission Office
Single-Clad Alps Viewing Tower
Snøhetta Designs the Top of Alpbachtal in the Tyrolean Alps
X-Shaped Nature-Interacting Gabled Cabins
Tall Architects Designs the Fowl River Cabin in Alabama
Wooden Pavilion Seaside Homes
LAND Arquitectos Designs the House of Circumstances in Chile
Sawtooth Roof Apartment Blocks
Six Degrees Architects and Hip V Hype Design Ferrars & York
Metal Mesh Residential Buildings
Ædifica Designs the Cité Angus II Structure Outside Montreal
Water Flow-Inspired Art Buildings
MAD Designs the Waterfront Nanhai Arts Center in Guangdong
Multifunctional Angled Apartments
Snøhetta Designs the Vertikal Nydalen Building in Oslo
Curved Sculptural Skyscrapers
Kengo Kuma Designs the Alberni Residential Skyscraper
Immersive Breeze Houses
Alya Ola Abbas' Design Was Installed for Dubai Design Week 2023
Stacked Cylindrical City Towers
Heatherqick Studio and Barcode Architects Design the Oopen Tower
Repurposed Imperfection-Embraced Buildings
Civic Architects & VDNVP Elevate a Series of Workspaces
Swooped Roof Chinese Airports
MAD Designs the Lishui Airport Inspired by Soaring Birds
Stacked Pebble-Inspired Towers
Atelier 9.81 Designs the Calaid Port Tower Building
Interfaith Family House Complexes
Adjaye Associates Designs the Abrahamic Family House
Staggered Cubic Skyscrapers
OODA Works on a Rising Geometric Skyscraper in Tirana