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
Eco Urban Tree Houses
These High-Tech Tree Houses Bring Green Shelter to Urban Areas
Enormous All-Encompassing Couches
Luna by Claesson Koivisto Rune Makes a Comfy Room Inside a Room
Indoor Gardening Pods
The FreshWall Design System Allows One to Grow Plants Within Their Home
Contemporary Outdoor Office Spaces
The Skype Palo Alto Offices are a Modern Work Haven
Touchscreen Skyrise Apartments
Monaco's Odeon Tower Will Feature Advance Architecture and Services
Vanguard Oriental Attire
The Monk Moderne Surface Magazine Editorial is Architectural
Origami Wallpaper Sculptures
These Textured Paper Art Installations Utilize Origami Structures
Chromatic Villainous Vixens
The Bambi Magazine ‘Women Milan’ Editorial is Wickedly Chi
Then-and-Now Senior Shots
Identities by Ana Oliveira Reveal the Passage of Time Through Photos
Temporary Honeycomb Architecture
The Shellstar Pavilion Features a Super Lightweight Construction
Undulating Ceiling Installations
Paper Chandeliers by Cristina Parreno Architecture is Spectacular
Suspended Clutter Photography
Cerise Doucede Makes Being Surrounded by Clutter Look Beautiful
Architectural Kaleidoscope Captures
These Panoramic Photographs by Brent Townshend Show Distortion
3D-Printed Dwellings
This DUS Architects Project Will Produce Polypropylene Components On-Site
Slidable Sleeping Sofas
The Vento Convertible Bed Couch Does Not Need to be Pulled Out
Narrow Compact Abodes
Shaft House by Atelier rzlbd Makes the Most of a Small-Scaled Space
Minimalist French Fashion
The Morgane Sezalory Collection is Rooted in Her Native Background
Eccentrically Architectural Attire
The Lie Sang Bong Autumn/Winter 2013 Collection is Unexpected
Geometric Backdrop Editorials
Harper’s Bazaar Latin America 'Trazo Lineal' Stars Vasilisa Pa
Perforated Vortex Architecture
The Messe Basel New Hall by Herzog & De Meuron is Futuristic
Illustrated Napkin Diaries
These Napkin Doodles from Sadi Tekin are a Visual Journal
Sound Sustainability Superstructures
Soundscrapers Could Be the Future’s Noise Pollution Sol
Living Breathing Bathrooms
The AMKK House Vision Washroom Promises Prime Natural Ventilation
Living Art Installations
This Plant Artwork Combines Consumerism and Wildlife
Structured Greyscale Photoshoots
The Rumours Magazine 'Architectural' Editorial Stars Tanea Golban
Geeky Textbook Art
These Japanese Students Sure Know How to Make Impressive Textbook Doodles
Water Treatment Architecture
Conversing with Water Project Integrates Eco Behavior with Building
Egg Container Decor
The Nosinger Hatch and Rebirth Pieces Are Made with Recycled Materials
Computer-Crafted Sculptures
Nick Ervink's Cross Media Creations are Modernizing Sculpting
Rebellious Bouffant Editorials
The Flair Italia Crazy Eyes Photoshoot is Defiant Throughout
Vibrating Light Sculptures
The Paul Friedlander Pieces Focus on the Movement of Kinetic Artwork
Transparent Honeycomb Structures
Honey Scape by X-REF Embraces Geometric Elements
Faux Floating Homes
The Two Islands Mark's House is Made to Appear as If It is Mid-Air
Moody Foliage Photography
Herbaria by Jurgen Heckel Captures a More Reflective Side of Nature
Bulging Geometric Abodes
The Villa F by Hornung & Jacobi Architecture is Inspired by Eroded Rocks
Timeless Stone Residences
The Cassell Street House is Inspired by Byzantine Buildings
Illusory Imploding Interiors
'PuLSaTe' Uses Op-Art Architecture to Create a Captivating Showroom
Abstractly Sculptural Furniture
The Deus Ex Machina Collection by Michael Young is Industrial
Concrete Cubist Abodes
The Beaumont House by Architect Henri Cleinge is Industrial
Ethereal Floating Female Photography
The Bence Bakonyi 'Floating Series' Suspends Reality & People
Skeletal Ripple Structures
The Mosque Amir Al-Momenin is Designed with Sustainability in Mind
Functional Attic Abodes
Harbour Attic by Gosplan is Located in Genoa, Italy and Beyond Charming
Artfully Organized Collection Photoshoots
Jim Golden Photographs Vintage Collector's Items
Dotted Paint Portraits
The David Cooley Images Amass Small Bits of Color
Hill-Swallowed Homes
The Cesky Raj Family House Seems to Sink into its Surrounding Landscape
Sturdy See-Through Homes
The Rio Bonito House Features Clear Beams of Glass
Abstractly Linked Architecture
The CASIS Headquarters Embodies a Stylized Exterior and Circulation
Cascading Chromatic Canvases
Peter Struycken's Netherland Architecture Institute Display is Vivid
Webbed Angular Architecture
The Hewlett House by MPR Design Group Epitomizes Modern Ideals
Buoyant Balloon Architecture
Enveloping Space Embodies a New Structural Language of Levitation
Spherically Stacked Seating
Yin Yang Chair is a Pair of Seats That Each Forms Half of a Sculpture
Sixties Throwback Homewares
Irish Designer Orla Kiely Launches a Retro Homewares Collection
Fluorescent Light Sculptures
Hitoshi Kuriyama Creates New Life Through an Illuminated Chaotic Mess
Psychological Penal Institutions
The Hydroelectric Waterfall Prison Plays with Inmates' Minds
Colorful Stick Architecture
The Ekoda Sugamo Shinkin Bank is Cheerful and Playful
Internally Lit Cutout Consoles
The 'Ice by Europeo' Cube Coffee Tables Features Chic Block Shapes
Multi-Story Urban Farms
Vincent Callebaut's Farmscrapers are Designed Specifically for Shenzhen
Spectacular Sci-Fi Structures
Adam Ryder Creates a Sci-Fi Fantasy World in his New Art Project
Gallery Greenery Photography
Mise En Green by Arden Sherman Explores Museum’s Plant Pieces
Scrap Metal Surf Shacks
The Third Wave Kiosk in Australia by Tony Hobba Architects Reclaims Waste
Water Garden Houses
The Breust Residence by JUO is a Glass-Encased Pool Home
Stunning Seaside Escapes
Villa Kishti by Frank Alfred Hamilton and Cecconi Simone Inc is Refined
Abstract Architecture Art
Mattia Mognetti's Photography Distorts and Manipulates Buildings
Enchanting Oceanic Dwellings
This Coolum Bays Beach House by Aboda Design Group is Dramatic
Rich Velvet Furniture Sets
The Napali Sectional Sofas Feature Plush Patterned Upholstery
Floating Squid Acid Absorbers
The PH Conditioner Skyscraper Leaches Chemicals From the Atmosphere
Camera-Inspired Cabins
GO Portable Office Provides a Picture of Your Future Well-Earned Success
Floating Cloud Architecture
This Arthur Kupreychuk Design Looks Like it’s Under a Dark Cloud
Abstractly Amalgamated Architecture
Contemporary Vernacular Expresses a Modern Indigenous Style
Robot-Built Public Canopies
The ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2012 is Inspired by Insect Exoskeletons
Multi-Angled Roof Architecture
The Koda Estonia Pavilion by KUU Architects Embraces Geometry
Paper Fan Facades
The House in Muko is Defined by Curved Face of White Vertical Fins
Dinsaur-Modeled Homes
The Jurgen Mayer H OLS House is Shaped Like Ancient Creatures
Trypophobe-Torturing Architecture
The Train Nest is Made Up of Repeated Forms and Perforations
Arboreal Latin Lairs
The Beautiful Casa eR2 by em-estudio Blends Nature with Industrial Elements
Stacked Rectangular Structures
The Statoil Regional and International Offices Displays Futurism
Aircraft-Inspired Crematoria
Vermilion Sands is a Futuristic Launch Pad for the Recently Deceased
Insect-Inspired Building Techniques
MIT Research Allows Silkworm Mimicked 3D Printed Architecture
Electric Parisian Penthouses
Mathieu Lehanneur's ArchitectureUses Electrical Cables
Decked-Out Car Couches
Jake’s Chop Shop Offers Custom Sofa Designs for the Car-Crazy Cliente
Industrial Arboreal Churches
Forest Chapel Works Metal Material into Organic Architectural Forms
Miniature Picket Fence Planters
The Indoor Allotment Provides an Adorable Way to Hold Your Plants
Chocolate-Inspired Accommodations
The Concept Hotel in Brussels Offers Rustic Luxury
Portruding Skyrise Photography
Sebastian Opitz Captures City Life While Embedded in Clouds
Citycentric-Themed Parties
Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day Does a DIY City Themed Party
Mirrored Canopy Structures
The Port Vieux Pavilion is Reminiscent of Chicago's Cloud Gate
Eco-Friendly Storm Shelters
The Polar Umbrella is a Stunning Shelter for Ecological Storm
Spiraling Cone-Shaped Buildings
Guggenheim Museum's Cone-Shape Concept Will Fill a Full Scoop
Accordian-shaped Homes
The Fujiwaramuro Architects House in Sayo is Modeled Like an Instrument
Collaged Citrus Residences
The Herzberg Housing Development Merges Apartments and Townhomes
Sewn Story Cushion Covers
The PillowBook Embroidered Pillow Collection is Sweetly Narrative
Cavernous Skyscaper Concepts
These Concept Plans by SHoP Architects Call for Hollow Buildings
Twisted Bridge Postcards (UPDATE)
Clement Valla's Confused Google Earth Imagery Gets a Tune Up
International Leap Captures
Zompi by Gabriele Galimberti is Shot in Over 50 Different Countries
Sky-Bound Landmark Photography
Kaitlin Rebesco Shows a Different Perspective in Her Paris Photos
Indian Organic Farming Promotion
Krishi Naturals Works with Farmers to Support Biodiversity
Slim Sculptural Seating
The BIOPHILIA Collection by Ross Lovegrove is Inspired by Architecture
Glacier-Esque Museum Concepts
The Moscow Polytechnic Museum and Educational Centre is Icy
Painterly Portrait Cushions
The Chad Wys Decorative PIllow Collection is Artistically Inclined
Eye-Catching Construction Captures
These Exciting Construction Photos Turn Science into Art
Scaly Silver Skyscrapers
Addis Ababa United Bank Pierces the Clouds with Sharp Squamous Cladding
Dizzying Bay Bridge Photography
WordPress Founder Matt Mullenweg Crosses the Bay Bridge Cables