Best cities to visit for architecture lovers

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For those who are pursuing a career in architecture or even those who have an affinity for the field, these following cities would be great to visit:


Dubai, United Arab Emirates

One of the most expensive cities in the Middle East, Dubai is famous for its large construction projects. Almost everyone knows the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest man-made structure at 2,716 feet. However, it is hardly the only building worth visiting in the city rich with contemporary architectural design. Dubai has plenty of futuristic structures, a magnificent skyline, and buildings that offer awe-inspiring views.

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Rome, Italy

Aptly called The Eternal City, Rome has a wonderful blend of ancient ruins that international organizations have strived to preserve and modern buildings. Architecture aficionados should include Rome in their bucket list, and make sure to spend a couple of days in the city to see all the buildings and structures, such as the Pantheon, Colosseum, Sistine Chapel, Bridge of Music, and more.


Chicago, Illinois

The Windy City is a must-visit destination for lovers of architecture, and not just because it is the site of the world’s first modern skyscraper. The magnificent and iconic Chicago skyline can be admired from afar via a boat tour. Of course, the cityscape can also be viewed from the streets, which offers a good vantage point of the building facades.


John Eilermann here, an architecture student from St. Louis, MO. If you want to read more discussions about the field, follow me on Twitter.

Cities of Design series: San Francisco

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There are three cities in the United States which we believe showcase the beauty in and of architecture. These are Chicago, New York, and San Francisco. These three places have different personalities, with Chicago being the most avant-garde, New York having the grandest samples, and San Francisco being the most relaxing and laid back.


A huge number of architects now reside in San Francisco since it has quite a number of inspiring buildings built throughout the past two centuries. One of the best examples of these is the First Unitarian Church which features a Gothic Revival, what with the arches over the doors and windows and steep-pitched roofings.


Fans of Italianate architecture can get their fix as they pass by the residential districts. Balustrade and portico entrances and straight roofs are a dead giveaway for the Italianate lover, and so are the columnar structures, symmetrical windows, and rustic wood walls.

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The asymmetry of gable roofs and conical towers with rustic wood paneling on plastered walls is credited to the influence of Queen Anne architecture.


Moving towards the Marina and Sunset districts, people can get a glimpse of the Spanish Colonial Revival, with stucco walls, ornamented arches, and red-tiled roofs.


Which is your favorite San Francisco-based architectural style? Sound off in the comments below.


My name is John Eilermann and I’m an architecture student currently based in St. Louis, Missouri. Architecture is both my passion and dream. The ability of architecture to make utilitarian and aesthetic ends meet amazes me. Know more about me and my interests here.

What you need to consider when building next to the sea

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Coastal and seaside properties are some of the most desirable real estate properties.  However, their construction and maintenance can be difficult for a lot of reasons.  Here are some considerations when building next to the sea.

Coastal properties are always the first to suffer during a major typhoon.  Gale winds can easily shatter glass and swells can enter the property, ruining the interior altogether if the property isn’t equipped with proper barriers.  Even during construction, storms can delay projects further as damages have to be assessed in their wake.

Salt is also one of the most corrosive elements on the planet.  Not only does it affect iron materials, it also does a serious number on construction materials like concrete, brocks, mortar, and plaster.  Sea water flooding can destroy a building’s foundation and cause it to collapse.  It can also corrode cavity walls and reinforcing bars inside buildings.

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Wood is also a popular building material for beach side properties, but it’s not free from salt water damage as well.  Salt can cause delignification, a process whereby salt water seeps into the wood and forms salt crystals on the surface, damaging the wood overtime.

Salt in the air can also damage electronics.  Rapidly corroding metal parts can become unsafe as they can introduce risks of electric shock thus necessitating constant monitoring and replacement.


Hi, my name is John Eilermann. I’m an architecture student based in St. Louis, Missouri. Despite the strict requirements to obtain my degree in architecture, I’m having the time of my life learning about the beauty of the field I chose. To read more about architecture, check out this blog.

Biggest Modern Architectural Mistakes Ever Made

The best architectural works around the world are celebrated, visited by millions, studied by students, and end up in magazines, postcards, and travel books. They are praised for their ingenuity, design, function, and form.

However, on the other side of the spectrum are disasters that simply failed to do their part. These mistakes echo in the world of architecture and remind people what improper planning or lackluster performance can bring. Here are some of the biggest modern architectural mistakes ever made.

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The John Hancock Tower in Boston was unveiled in the ‘70s and was riddled with problems from the very beginning. Taller buildings were designed to sway to absorb strong gusts of wind. This particular tower swayed too much and gave people on higher floors motion sickness. It also had recurring problems such as falling windows due to thermal stress. All windows would eventually be replaced at the cost of $5 million.

Sometimes, designs can weirdly impact the outside world. In the case of the Vdara Hotel & Spa, the curvature of the building collected solar beams and reflected them in a concentrated manner down on sunbathing tenants. In short, the architecture accidentally built a death ray that singed many guests.

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Lastly, Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay was home to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The problem with the stadium is that above the field, there were several low lying structures that affected the games in a terrible way.

Hi, I’m JohnEilermann, and I live in St. Louis, Missouri. I’m an architecture student who’s fortunate enough to be based in a city where there is an abundance of great architecture. For more interesting reads on architecture, visit this blog.

The Best Modern Buildings In The World

When people travel, they don’t just go to natural wonders.  Modern buildings have also become prime tourist spots, and with good reason.  Simply gazing at these marvels is worth the hassle of getting there.  They also become a symbol of pride for the city and generate additional jobs for the tourism sector.  Here are some of the best modern buildings in the world.

When people think of India, the Taj Mahal is the first structure that comes to mind. However, there is one other architectural marvel that is not quite as famous but exudes beauty and elegance.  The Lotus Temple located in New Delhi is a house of worship for the Bahá’í faith.  The structure was built in accordance to the religion’s requirement, 9 sides in a circular shape.

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The Burj Khalifa, located in Dubai, is hard to photograph if you don’t have the right camera.  Towering at a height of 2,717 feet, this 162 floor building holds spaces for offices, residences, restaurants, and an Armani hotel.  What’s even more amazing is that this marvel only took 5 years to finish.

Lastly, London’s The Shard was introduced to the people during the 2012 Summer Olympics.  Inspired by church steeples, the structure is comprised of eight glass facades that have transformed the London skyline.

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Hi, I’m John Eilermann and I live in St. Louis, Missouri. I’m an architecture student who’s fortunate enough to be based in a city where there is an abundance of great architecture. The ability of architecture to make the utilitarian and aesthetic ends meet amazes me. For more insightful articles on modern architecture, visit this website.

Should Architecture Be Considered Art?

There was a time when architects were considered the epitome of the artist, scribbling designs for grand buildings and inventions from their imagination, just like Da Vinci. Collaborations with other craftsmen and designers were rare; they had to be a renaissance man who had a keen understanding too of other sciences and of human nature.

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Nowadays, with architecture becoming more and more specialized, a lot of established architects are arguing that their duty in society is to conceptualize and concretize the environment’s form, not its content. They argue that architecture is not so much art as pure self-expression, the broadcasting and realization of the personal interests and conceits of the architect.

There lies the conundrum. If architecture were to be truly about making buildings and infrastructure for societal progress and public betterment, shouldn’t it be less personal and more functional? Shouldn’t it be less about exotic designs and unique geometries and more of what truly works?

Of course, this is a highly social take on art and its duty. If personal vision is the reason particular architects stand out in history, then maybe architecture is indeed art. But if eccentricities overrode the utility and needed adjustment of a design to, say, the context of a neighborhood, then maybe it’s time we reexamine the role of the architect in society. After all, art should not excuse the architect from his or her duty and responsibility to the so-called other.

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Hi, my name isJohn Eilermann, and I’m currently studying architecture in St. Louis. I like to blog about the sights I see and the lessons I learn as I explore various architectural concepts. For similar updates, check out this webpage.

Important Reminders When Updating The Way Your House Looks

There are several reasons a homeowner would want to update the way his house looks. He might be selling, improving, or making it safer. Whatever the reason is, updating the home isn’t a simple process. But be that as it may, it need not be an expensive one as well.

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Here are a few important reminders when updating the way your house looks.

Start small

It’s best to start with small changes on small details first such as mirrors for hallways or new throw pillows if you plan to change your sofa. Starting with big changes may keep you from seeing the things that don’t have to be changed in the first place.

For minimalism’s sake

For the house to seem bigger than it actually is, minimalist fixtures are key. But you don’t need to buy new furniture. You can paint old chairs and tables with neutral colors before purchasing a black-and-white printed rug. You’ll discover that aside from the rug, all you’ll need are sheets in the same shade and a small centerpiece such as a flower vase.

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Books and shelves

Books and shelves can be placed with other fixtures at home. They can be placed in corners where space can be maximized. Old tables can be used to house books so you won’t need to buy new shelves.

John Eilermann is an architecture student based in St. Louis, Missouri, who is fascinated by the way architecture gives space for much creativity and individuality. More architectural wonders here.

A Quick List Of Beautiful NYC Skyscrapers

New York City buildings and structures need no introduction: they’re world-famous, they are both old and modern, and they are tall and taller. Some even have observation decks for curious visitors. Here’s a short list of NYC skyscrapers that one shouldn’t miss out on.

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Woolworth Building

It’s the stuff the movies are made of – quite literally. This widely featured building dubbed the “Cathedral of Commerce” was the world’s tallest from 1913 to 1930, and this neo-Gothic wonder is designed by Cass Gilbert. It boasts of 57 floors and 34 elevators, and it figured with a key role in the skyscraper race in the early 20th century.

The Flatiron

This triangular peculiarity is one of New York’s most widely discussed edifices. It was built in 1902, defying common architectural practices of its time and still stands today despite common beliefs that it would collapse as soon as it’s hit by a strong gust of wind.

Empire State Building

We won’t argue that this may be the most famous skyscraper in the world. In fact, this Art Deco tower has been dubbed by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. From 1931 to 1970, it was the tallest in the world, standing at a magnificent 103 stories and featuring a widely familiar antenna spire.

Gehry New York

Los Angeles architect Frank Gehry’s first skyscraper is the tallest full residential building in North America, and it has 76 stories and just around 900 units for rent.

Trump Building

This 71-story tower on 40 Wall Street was originally called the Bank of Manhattan Building. Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice” held filming here, and it kept the honor of being the tallest building in the world for a couple of days.

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John Eilermann is an architecture student based in St. Louis, Missouri, who is keen to discover the world’s architectural wonders. More on his interests here.