After providing you with five crazy architectural designs around the world, let’s take a look at some of the most stunning buildings that you can find in Canada. It turns out that we actually have quite a lot interesting pieces of architecture worth introducing, and the decision-making process took a while. However, I am proud to present the results of my research (of course, any other suggestions and comments are welcome!).
Ontario College of Art and Design
by bobistraveling
1. “Sharp Centre for Design” – Ontario College of Art and Design (Toronto)
The new university expansion was designed by European architect Will Alsop together with Robbie/Young + Wright Architects Inc. from Toronto and completed in 2004. It is often referred to as a “the tabletop” — it looks like a flat box supported by several bright coloured steel pillars that seem too unstable and fragile to carry the whole construction. The building design has won several prestigious awards, including the Royal Institute of British Architects Worldwide Award.
Getting over the hurdle
Glass House in Botswell
by impala 1970
2. Glass House (Boswell)
The Glass House in Boswell is not considered to be extraordinary just because it’s made of glass — it’s the special nature of the glass particles that matters here. More specifically, it’s the fact that the house is constructed of five hundred thousand embalming fluid bottles. Its owner, Mr. Brown, used to work in the funeral business. After retiring, he decided to collect as many empty bottles from his friends around Canada as possible to build a house, and within ten years, his dream came true.
Montreal Biosphere
by Emmanuel Milou
3. Montreal Biosphere (Montreal)
The fragile-looking design of the water and environment museum was created by Richard Buckminster Fuller especially for Expo 67. At the time of construction, the building featured the longest escalator in the world (37 metres). Nowadays, the site offers interactive exhibitions concerning ecology and related issues.
Ripleys Believe It or Not
by Noel Weathers
4. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! (Niagara Falls)
The design of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! matches the purpose of the building: exhibiting the most bizarre and strange things in the world. The museum collection contains various items and attractions that always have one important feature in common: they make visitors wonder whether they could be true and authentic. But seriously, can you trust a museum that looks like a skyscraper being destroyed by King Kong?
Royal Ontario Museum
by Sam Javanrouh
5. Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto)
The third expansion of the museum, designed by Daniel Libeskind and Bergman + Hamann Architects, has raised controversy ever since it was constructed in 2007. Some claim it is a hideous combo of old meeting new, while others cheer the elegance of the design. The pavilion is home to Canada’s biggest museum of world culture and natural history.
