Architectural art is something that we’re surrounded by on a daily basis, but hardly ever take the time to ask questions about or study. This list of examples of phenomenal architectural artworks may feature structures you may find fascinating or just straight up bizarre, but it goes to show that the people responsible for constructing the buildings we eat, sleep and live in make magic with their designs.
Featuring everything from Liz Hickock’s edible architecture that sees this artist making miniature buildings out of jello, to Marjan Teeuwen’s destructive apocalyptic architecture, this list isn’t about the size or style of buildings, but rather what they’re being used to express.
Buildings and how we use their space can really be a fascinating adventure, which many of the artists on this list have chosen to use as a way to express themselves.
62 Art-Based Buildings
From Jello Palaces to Book Made Buildings, Architectural Art is Boundless:
Brandon Bastaldo — Apr 18, 2013 — Art & Design
62
Eco Urban Tree Houses
These High-Tech Tree Houses Bring Green Shelter to Urban Areas
61
Surreal Architecture Artistry
Jeremy Miranda Turns Living Quarters Into Painted Masterpieces
60
Origami-Esque Architecture
The DMAA Festival Hall Compositionally Mimics Magnified Paper Craft
59
JELL-O Architecture Artworks
These Liz Hickok Creations are Spectacular Zero-Impact Edible Art
58
Futuristic Movie Theatre in Hong Kong
AMC Pacific Place Cinema
57
Vibrantly Geometric Illuminators
These Geometric Light Sculptures Features Mesmerizing Displays
56
Abstract Expressive Facades
Granular Spa Haus' Sculptural Cladding is Indicative of its Interior
55
Folding Facade Abodes
Dolomitenblick by Plasma Studio Slices Through Its Spanning Landscape
54
Avant-Garde Architecture Editorials
The Vogue Italia Suggestions Photoshoot is Mostly Geometric
53
Cubic Labyrinth Interiors
The JAIST Gallery Design is Inspired by Cryptic Puzzles
52
Arched Geometry Structures
The Roskilde Dome Pavilion is Home to the Danish Music Festival
51
Slatted Barn-Like Buildings
Proyecto Roble is a Mod But Fitting Feature in its Agrarian Landscape
50
Timeless Stone Residences
The Cassell Street House is Inspired by Byzantine Buildings
49
Sharply Angled Abodes
The Nth Fitzroy House by AM. Architecture is Modern and Sophisticated
48
Illusory Imploding Interiors
'PuLSaTe' Uses Op-Art Architecture to Create a Captivating Showroom
47
Stark Minimalist Homes
This New Addition to Spanish Architecture is by Alcolea+Tárrago Arquit
46
Grid-Like Wave Canopies
The Lignum Pavilion Shows Off the Modern Uses of Wood in Architecture
45
Skeletal Ripple Structures
The Mosque Amir Al-Momenin is Designed with Sustainability in Mind
44
Sturdy See-Through Homes
The Rio Bonito House Features Clear Beams of Glass
43
Garden-Infused Staircases
The Ars Technica Staircase Project Includes Plants Under Each Step
42
Atavistic Architectural Art
Illustrator Thibaud Herem is Inspired by His Hometown
41
Abstractly Linked Architecture
The CASIS Headquarters Embodies a Stylized Exterior and Circulation
40
Webbed Angular Architecture
The Hewlett House by MPR Design Group Epitomizes Modern Ideals
39
Chic Penthouse-Style Cabins
This Renovated Georgian Bay Cottage by Altius Architecture is Flawless
38
Abstracted Corridor Architecture
Working Blue Appears to Comprise Vertically Oriented Hallways
37
Brilliant Blinds Sculptures
Haegue Yang Creates Sensual Experiences Through Her Architectural Art
36
Colorful Stick Architecture
The Ekoda Sugamo Shinkin Bank is Cheerful and Playful
35
Sci-Fi Pool Pavilions
The Aquarena Aqua Leisure Center Embodies its Futuristic Inspiration
34
Aged Architecture Art (UPDATE)
Matthias Haker Turns Forsaken Buildings into Unforgettable Art
33
Sleek Keyboard-Shaped Loungers
The Keyboard Sofa by Zo_loft Will Have Office People Buzzing
32
Chromatic Architecture Captures
The Hong Kong Facades Series by Miemo Penttinen is Visually Bold
31
Stunning Seaside Escapes
Villa Kishti by Frank Alfred Hamilton and Cecconi Simone Inc is Refined
30
Abstract Architecture Art
Mattia Mognetti's Photography Distorts and Manipulates Buildings
29
Artistic Fast Food Joints
The McDonald's in Batumi, Georgia is a Feat of Fast Food Architecture
28
Laidback Luxury Beach Abodes
The Beech House by Altius Architecture is Modern Yet Liveable
27
Book-Made Buildings
The Book Cell by Matej Kren is an Octagonally Awesome Accomplishment
26
Imaginary Architecture Art
Denis Andernach Renders Abstract Structures within Barren Landscapes
25
Illuminated Structure Captures
This Collection of Bridges at Night by Cuded is Marvelous
24
Neon Architectural Artistry
Kervin Brisseaux Renders Futuristic Images Evocative of TRON
23
Protruding Window Architecture
The Shipara Office Building Slopes Like a Vertical Skate Park
22
Urban Waterfall Architecture
425 Park Avenue in NYC Gets a Makeover by Norman Foster
21
Revamped Farmhouse Designs
A2BC's Farmhouse Architecture Mixes Modern Style with Rustic Living
20
Abstractly Amalgamated Architecture
Contemporary Vernacular Expresses a Modern Indigenous Style
19
Stringy Steel Sculptures
Convergence by Chris Fox Flows Cohesively
18
Optical Illusion Architecture
This Solar Powered Home Attempts to Trick the Eye
17
Elastic Environment Buildings
11 11 Triples as a Parking Garage, Restaurant and Yoga Studio
16
Dinsaur-Modeled Homes
The Jurgen Mayer H OLS House is Shaped Like Ancient Creatures
15
Fading Architectural Artwork
These Matt Bahen 'After The Wolves' Oil Paintings are Sombre
14
Mountain-Mimicking Structures
The Slow Horse Hotel Resembles the Slopes of Ski Hills
13
Distorted Architectural Art
Gabor Ekecs Digitally Alters Photographs of Disney Hall
12
Typographic Architecture Artwork
Frank Magnotta Will Dazzle Your Eyes With Text Towers
11
Remixed Chapel Concepts
The Notre Dame Haiti Cathedral Modernizes a Classic Design
10
Intricate Transforming Towers
The Hydropolis Skyscraper Embodies and Elaborate Structure
9
Organically Undulating Seats
Mathias Bengtsson's Paper Chair Uses No Frame, Joints or Screws
8
Mirrored Canopy Structures
The Port Vieux Pavilion is Reminiscent of Chicago's Cloud Gate
7
Looming Atmosphere Art
Thomas Lamadieu's Fills in Open Spaces with Quirky Doodles
6
Natural Galactic Pavilions
The Chinese Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2012 References Nature
5
Sculptural Structured Supports
A Monstrous Cardboard Squid by Wil Natzel
4
Eviscerated Architecture Art
Marjan Teeuwen Presents Chaotic Buildings on the Verge of Collapse
3
Fire-Breathing Bridges
This $85 Million Dragon Bridge in Vietnam Lights Up and Breathes Fire
2
Meticulous Seat Structures
The Screenplay Bench by Oyler Wu Collaborative is Complex
1
Wall-Ripped Artworks
Unfolded Architecture Shows That Art Can be Found at Every Turn
Related Ideas
Industrial-Inspired Homes
Glassbrick Apartment by Studio Karhard Alters a Flat with Nightclub DNA
Playful Children's Library Designs
Studio Vapore Creates a Whimsical Children's Library
Ultra-Colorful High-Density Residential Designs
Ballistic Architecture Machine Applies Color
Historically Inspired Modern Homes
MU Architecture Balances Historic Charm & Modern Sensibilities
Modern Ethereal Residential Projects
Philipp Architekten Collaborates with Bruzkus Greenberg
Archive Film Exhibitions
The Wes Anderson the Archives Presents Artefacts from His Film Work
Floating Art Museums
Tadao Ando’s Dubai Museum of Art Embraces Light, Water and Heritage
Modern Prefabricated Residential Projects
Palette Architecture Designs the Sleek Shift House
Thoughtful Residential Architecture Projects
Hacienda Wabi by RA! is Situated in Tulum's Jungles
Architectural Community Spaces
The Street Clubhouse Forms Social Connection Through Open Design
Honest Sustainability-Focused Installations
Temple (The Last Cheeseburger) is Thought-Provoking
Elevated Urban Skate Venues
AAN Architects Designs Suspended Skatepark Overlooking Shanghai
Contemporary Art Libraries
Espace Gabrielle Chanel is a Large Public Art Library in Shanghai
University Art Landmarks
Princeton University Art Museum by Adjaye Associates Redefines Art
Honoring Art Restoration Displays
MoMA Presents the Many Lives of the Nakagin Capsule Tower
Vibrantly Artful Playful Pavilions
Peter Cook Presents the Play Pavilion Using LEGO Bricks
Chic Avant-Garde Restaurant Interiors
Estereotomia Architects Designs Masahouse
Curved Green Roof-Topped Museums
Atelier Alter Architects Designs the Sunner Museum in China
Protest Sand Architecture
The Bland Castles Installation Turns Beach into Critique of Urban Design
Artist Apartment Conversions
Alan Prekop Studio Alters a Disused Office into a Space for Artists
Brutalist Korea Books
Brutalist Korea Photobook Shows Concrete Architecture Across Seoul and Jeju
Architectural Lighting Solutions
Flos Emphasized Lighting Innovation and Artistic Expression
Contemporary Brutalist Homes
The MS House by Studio Saransh Balances Architecture with Nature
Living Landscape Homes
Hedge and Arbour House by Studio Bright Merges Garden and Architecture
Kinetic Interaction Pavilions
The Transmutation Observatory Makes Architecture Responsive
Modernist Home Renovations
The Bauhaus Budapest Apartment Receives a Contemporary Refresh
Minimalist Concrete Complexes
Ryuichi Sasaki Architecture Completes a Residential Project in Tokyo
Floating Wetland Bookstore
Xixi Goldmye Bookstore Alters an Abandoned Office into a Reading Space
Architecturally Stunning Cultural Landmarks
OPEN Architecture Designs the Functional Sun Tower
Architecturally Inspired Exhibition Displays
Cecilia Szalkowicz Collaborates with Studio MATER
Hybrid Chair Lamps
Art-Chitecture Furniture System Turns a Chair into a Glowing Floor Lamp
Inward-Focused House Architecture
Inverted House Redefines the Boundary Between House and Fence
Minimalist Meaningful Living Exhibitions
The Ariake X Parachilna Exhibition is Thoughtful
Airport Terminal Galleries
The NOMAD Abu Dhabi Converts a Terminal into an Gallery Space
Minimalist Beach House Designs
ARP - Architecture Research Practice Tackles a 1980s Beach House
Downtown Art Galleries
Lake Flato's Marble Falls Arthouse Combines Gallery and Workspace in Texas
Japan-Focused Design Exhibitions
UQAM is Hosting Built Environment: an Alternative Guide to Japan
Architectural Legacy Books
Tadao Ando. Sketches, Drawings, and Architecture Releases in November
Dynamic Geometric Library Buildings
fjcstudio Designs the Yellamundie Library Building in Sydney
Compact Public Art Kiosks
The Hiroshima Architecture Exhibition Kiosks Appear as Small Structures
Chinese Tradition-Honoring Structures
MAD Architects Forms the Chinese Paper Umbrella Structure
Ceramic Modern Houses
The Hillsborough Residence Blends Modern Design with Sculptural Ceramics
Protest Art Exhibitions
CART Department’s Ai Weiwei LEGO Story Revisits Censorship and Activism
Modular Workplace Architecture Trends
DualSpace Studio Debuted the Adapatable 'ELIT Office'
Sustainable Educational Architecture Projects
CURA Architekten Presents a Project in Switzerland
Architecturally Intricate Museums
STORYN Studio for Architecture Designs a Stunning Museum
Community-Focused High-Rise Buildings
The Journal Square Urby Was Designed by Concrete Amsterdam
Park-Covered Structural Buildings
ODA Presents the OLA Palermo with a Green Space on Top
Moon-Bound Architectural Installations
The Moonhouse Project Fuses Conceptual Art and Space Tech
Elevated Budget-Friendly Hotel Designs
Ester Bruzkus Architekten Designs Münster Ibis Budget Hotel
Repurposed Concrete Structures
Architecture Research Practice Designed the Tetris House
Cancer Care Architecture
Maggie’s Architecture That Cares Exhibition Highlights Healing Design
Protein-Inspired Architecture
Folded Protein Molecule Research & Exhibition Rethinks Structure
Emirati-Inspired Towers
The Symphony Tower Introduces a Woven Façade to Dubai’s Skyline
Color-Shifting Art Museums
Team BLDG Designs the The Quartet – Songzhuang Z Museum
Ancient Gymnasium-Inspired Residential Buildings
Triptyque and Architects Office Build AGE360
Glowing Sphere Art Pavilions
RAU Architects and Tellart Preset the Netherlands Pavilion
Culturally Immersive Dining Experiences
D'Art Design is Transforming India's Dining Sector
Rammed Earth Galleries
The Museum Ehrhardt by Kéré Architecture in Plüschow, Germany
Organic Ceramic Sculptures
Janny Baek's Life Forms Exhibition Presents Evolving Clay Structures
Reflective Architectural Artwork
Audi Origin by Zaha Hadid Architects Shapes Spatial Light Portal
3d-Printed Pavilion Structures
Superlimão Pavilion Features in Pátio Metrópole
Futuristic Cultural Spaces
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts Blends Form with Civic Imagination
Inclusive Media Libraries
Associer Designs the James Baldwin Media Library & the Refugee House
Eclipse-Themed Rooftop Artworks
James Tapscott's Arc ZERO: Eclipse is Visually Stunning
Detroit Tower Redevelopments
SHOP Architects’ Hudson’s Detroit Highlights Civicr Regeneration
Bubblegum Street Art Buildings
Frankey Designs the Playful Hubbabubbabuilding
Exploratory Architectural Projects
The Polish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale is Thought-Provoking
Bathroom-Centric Dubai Apartments
Bone Studio Blends Architecture and Experience in This Bold Home
Living Structure-Based Pavilions
The Picoplanktonics is This Year's Canada Pavilion
Contemporary Office Design
The Rock Capital Warsaw Office Highlights Art in a Refined Workplace
Lunar-Based Rotating Pavilions
The Moon Pavilion by Atelier Guo Transforms an Abandoned Greenhouse
Architectural Wall Designs
Heatherwick Presents Humanise Wall at the Seoul Architecture Biennale
Segmented Lightflow Art Pavilions
Marine Tabassum Creates a Capsule in Time Pavilion
Refined Residential Architecture Projects
Min Design Tackles Constrained Urban Spaces
Responsive Light Museums
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi Turns Environment into Evolving Digital Art
Adaptive Reuse Gallery Projects
Atelier L'abri Design the FOIL Gallery in Montreal
Interactive Architectural Pavilions
The Folding Landscape Pavilion Turns Design into a Living Lens
Architectural Library Furniture
The Herzog & De Meuron Reading Nooks for Own Furniture Tokyo
Forested Concrete Pavilions
Miel Pavilion by Pezo Von Ellrichshausen Highlights Honey Processing
Architecture Art Exhibitions
The Eames Houses Exhibition Presents Models and Full-Scale Structures
Industrial Food Hall Revivals
The Pullman Market Adaptive Reuse Design Revitalizes a Glass Factory
Sophisticated Government Office Designs
Agata Kurzela Tackles a Heritage Building in Abu Dhabi
Architecture-Focused Design Exhibits
Blouin Orzes Architectes Participate in Time Space Existence
Fluid Function Art Exhibits
Optical Flow Exhibition Boasts Kinetic Art in Everyday Objects
Solar Energy Sculptures
Michael Jantzen’s 16-Arm Moving Sculpture Uses Solar Power and Gravity
Earthen Workshop Houses
Haniyasu House by Aatismo Reconnects Living Spaces with Ceramic Craft
Bright Stacked Box Houses
Light House by Studioninedots Forms a Vertical Family Home
Cliffside Pavilion Designs
Jørn Utzon’s Can Lis Reinterprets Mallorcan Tradition Through Pavilions
Pearl-Inspired Museums
Dubai Museum of Art by Tadao Ando Evokes Water, Light and Heritage
Modular Art Storage Solutions
Panel Built Offers Its Modular Construction Expertise to the Arts
Bold Architectural Monographs
Richard Rogers Talking Buildings is a Book of Interviews and Essays
Art Exploration Platforms
Arts – Every Time Art Lets You Explore Unique Artworks and Artifacts
Pastel Tonal Apartment Blocks
Behles & Jochimsen Designs the Regensburg Quarter
Stone Building Auditoriums
The Centre De Congrès Fuses Sculpture with Immersive Color and Light
Ceramic Vault Structures
The Muqarnas Pavilion Shows a Modular Approach to Vaulted Form
Sculptural Cultural Hubs
AYDC Public Art Centre by Atelier XI Integrates Nature, Art, & Community
Volcanic Visitor Architecture
PLAT ASIA's Volcano In Visitor Center Turn to Surrounding Landscape
Speculative Shelter Builds
Asympta by Leopold Banchini Architects Explores Ancient Landscapes
Public Art Displays
Paul Anthony Smith’s Photographs Appear at 300 City Bus Stops This Summer
Art Museum Architecture
The Xiao Feng Art Museum is a Sculptural Concrete Building in China
Concrete Pavilion Restaurants
ÜBerhaus by Pezo Von Ellrichshausen is a Restaurant Pavilion
Serene Waterfront Pavilions
The Lake House Life Experience Pavilion Blends Architecture and Nature
Sculptural Inverted Homes
Fala Atelier’s Porto House Flips a Roof for an Expressive Architecture
Building Plan Design Exhibitions
Jean Nouvel Created a New Exhibition to Highlight His New Project
Pavilion-Style Art Homes
Casa Galeria by BLOCO Architects Merges Living and Gallery Space
Tree-Lined Striking Modern Residences
Palette Architecture Designs the Shift House in New York
Desert-Inspired Art Museums
Las Vegas Museum of Art is a Cultural Project by Kéré Architecture
Desert Cultural Landmarks
Al Ain Museum by Dabbagh Architects Anchors Heritage and Landscape
Barn-Style Teaching Buildings
Max Otto Zitzelsberger Joins Students to Create Learning House
Cultural Green Libraries
The Taichung Green Museumbrary by SANAA Weaves Architecture and Nature
Adaptive Bunker Housing
The SAR Residence by OAD Converts Military Bunkers into a Coastal Home
Blooming Clustered Art Forms
The Structural Botany Installation Honors Organic Repetition and Form
Sun-Inspired Disc-Topped Museums
SMAR Architecture Studio Designs the Science Island Museum
Interactive Public Pavilions
The Radius Transformation Pavilion Lets Visitors Shape Space
Photograph-Centric Museums
Jadriv Architektur & 1990uao Design the Photography Seoul Museum of Art
Balanced Industrial Building Designs
HA-HA Design & Development Presents the Aluned Hq Project
Building-Nestled Compact Cafes
A Triangular Prism Chapel Cafe Creates Calm in Bucharest
Mobile Glass Libraries
La Libreria Brings Transparent Architecture to Underserved Neighborhoods
Environmentally Harmonious Museums
Tadao Ando Designs the Naoshima New Museum of Art
Campus Art Studios
The Design of the Atelier PPW Creates a Flexible Creative Space
Textured Glass Landmarks
Helsinki Design and Architecture Museum Designed as Clear Public Pavilion
Earthened Architecture Pavilions
Khalil Morad El Ghilali & El Mehdi Belyasmine Design a Pavilion
Vaulted Pink Complexes
Babel Housing Mexico by V Taller is a Sculptural Tower with Vaulted Design
Contemporary Library Designs
JSWD Architects Presents the Brühl City Hall and Library
Immersive Light Exhibits
Spencer Finch Exhibition Maps Time and Place Through Color and Light
Mushroom-Shaped Village Libraries
Kong Xiangwei Studio Designs the Mushroom Library in China
Cultural Exhibition Spaces
Espace Gabrielle Chanel by Kazunari Sakamoto Blends Art and Heritage
Local Geological History-Inspired Buildings
Salon Alper Derinbogaz Designs the Quartz Plaza
Park Library Museums
The Taichung Green Museumbrary Blends Library and Art Museum in Taiwan
Slender Alley Dwelling Revivals
The Brown House Uses Ecological Materials to Redefine Urban Infill
Sculptural Ruin Residences
The House of Horns by WOJR Fuses Ruin, Light and Landscape
Elliptical Mushroom Pavilions
Mushroom Pavilion by OMA Organizes Cultivation and Gathering Spaces
Concrete Arts School Buildings
Visual Arts Building by Studio BLUR Forms Sculptural Volumes
Compact Urban Cafes
The Chapel by Vinklu Transforms a Bucharest Lot into a Narrow Coffee Shop
Wave-Inspired Civic Halls
The Sail Congress Centre in Big Normandy Curves into Public Architecture
Courtyard Apartment Conversions
BekArch Transforms a Bakery Workshop into a Prague Apartment
Woodland Arts Pavilions
Julia Manacas Architecte's the Waterhouse-Oyama Fuses Gallery & Forest
Public Pavilion Architecture
Estudio Leonardo Zanatta’s Tess Pavilion Uses Tessellated Geometry
Artful Architectural Exhibitions
Renée Gailhoustet Show Opens at the Architectural Association