Magnificent architectural cities series: The Big Apple

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I’m John Eilermann, and my interests lie within the architectural wonders of my hometown, St.
Louis. However, my passion extends far beyond this beloved city. There are endless places out there in the world that feature architecture that will simply blow your mind.

For this blog, I’ll be talking about some of my favorite buildings in the Big Apple. Yes, as you know, very few other cities can hold a candle to New York as far as the urban landscape goes.

Take for instance the Chrysler Building, which is unbelievably made out of brick. This skyscraper, situated on the east side of Manhattan has become synonymous with both old and avant-garde architecture. It is an of the Art Deco movement and ranks among the best buildings of New York, alongside the Empire State and Seagram Buildings. Definitely a John Eilermann favorite.

Image source: ny.curbed.com

Moving away from tall buildings, let’s pay a tribute to the New York Public Library, which is a timeless reminder of architecture from a century ago. While it has been renovated and expanded, visitors will still get to see the influences from the era it was constructed.

And just like the Public Library, the Grand Central Terminal, or Grand Central, holds so much history within its walls. Popular for being the biggest terminal in the world, visitors can spend hours, maybe even days, to fully explore its magnificent architecture.

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

Should you pursue a career in architecture?

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Pursuing a degree in architecture isn’t an easy feat. Sleepless nights finishing plates and endless readings shall become part of your routine for half a decade. While it may be difficult, an aspiring architect’s struggles will reap rewards in due time.


Architecture schools teach students to take a pile of data and information in order to interpret it to be informed as to how a building must be designed or a how a problem can be solved. Although answers may not be concluded right away, through this activity, architecture students are taught about design process and logic. Traveling is part of the job. Architects are flown to different local and foreign cities to study certain architecture disciplines.


Architecture is a wonderful study of history. However, it’s not all that. Architectures will be required to practice their knowledge on the field as they begin to design and build structures for clients in the private and public sectors. A career in this industry enables one to make a difference in their surroundings. Public communities can benefit from projects led by architects to alleviate unhealthy and unsafe situations in certain areas.

Image source: dqarchitects.in

If you’re a fan of teamwork and you’re great at it, consider pursuing a career in architecture. Architects spend time with contractors, builders, workers, and other professionals in developing a structure. An architect’s job complements the work of a contractor, and without the efforts of construction builders, the plan will remain on paper and will not be brought to life. A collective effort is needed to establish structures.


John Eilermann is an architecture student based in St. Louis, Missouri. He has admired the architectural structures of the city since learning about the independent city. For more updates from John, subscribe to this blog.

Cities of Design series: San Francisco

Image source: ArchitectureStyles.org

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.

Image source: ArchitectureStyles.org

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.

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.

Image Source: Pixabay.com

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.

Image Source: Pixabay.com

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.