Category: Architecture & Design
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Is Daisugi Real? The Ancient Japanese Tree-Growing Technique
The Japanese forestry method for harvesting wood, daisugi (meaning “cedar table”), goes as far back as the 14th century to solve a seedling shortage in Kyoto. Yes, Daisugi is real, not a hoax. Let’s explore the ancient Japanese technique for growing trees out of trees. The 700-year-old technique involves pruning a tree’s branches like giant…
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Jatayu Earth Center: Home to the World’s Largest Bird Sculpture
Jatayu Nature Park in Kerala, India, holds the world’s largest bird sculpture, occupying about 15,000 sq feet and standing at the height of about 1200 feet above sea level. It is five times the size of the Pyramid of Giza. Opened in 2018 as a tourist destination, the 70-foot tall giant concrete figure pays tribute…
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Rejected designs for the Eiffel Tower
When Gustave Eiffel and French designers Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier unveiled their groundbreaking concept for the Eiffel Tower in the 1880s, the Parisian artistic community wasn’t impressed. Intellectuals like Charles Garnier and Guy de Maupassant criticized it as an eyesore, igniting the infamous “Artists Against the Eiffel Tower” petition. The Original Eiffel Tower Designs…
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Why pirates wear an eye patch
An eye patch, a parrot, a wooden leg, and a limp; these iconic attributes paint the picture of a pirate in popular culture. However, there’s more to the eye patch than meets the eye—quite literally. Contrary to common belief, famous pirates didn’t wear an eye patch due to a missing eye. Instead, it served a…
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Meteora Monasteries: Greece’s astonishing clifftop wonder
It’s mind-boggling to imagine how the first monks built the monasteries of Meteora in the 14th century, most notably the one in Peneas Valley located northeast of Kalabaka, Greece. This Holy Trinity sits on top of a rocky precipe over 1300 feet, forming one of six surviving monasteries constructed on top of steep natural pillars…
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The top 10 architectural wonders of the ancient world
Journeying through history, we encounter timeless architectural marvels reflecting our ancestors’ brilliance. This post explores the ancient world’s top 10 wonders that still captivate us. 1. The Great Pyramid of Giza (Egypt) Constructed circa 2580-2560 BCE, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest, largest pyramid in the Giza complex. It was constructed for Pharaoh…
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10 of the world’s most beautiful bridges
Bridges have long been symbols of human ingenuity, connecting people, places, and cultures across rivers, valleys, and oceans. These structures serve practical and aesthetic purposes, from ancient stone bridges to modern engineering marvels. This blog post will explore 10 of the world’s most incredible bridges, each with unique history and design. 1. Golden Gate Bridge,…
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Castello Aragonese: An enchanting journey through time
Nestled amidst the azure waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea lies the magnificent Castello Aragonese. The fortress once stood as a symbol of power and dominance. However, it now stands as an embodiment of history and beauty. This architectural marvel has witnessed numerous civilizations’ rise and fall, making it a treasure trove for history buffs and…
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Impossible heights: Lighthouse of Thridrangar, Iceland
Are you searching for your next getaway? There’s a lighthouse off the coast of southern Iceland that sits 120 feet upward on the highest of three steep rocks. It is one of the most remote lighthouses in the world. Constructed in 1939, the Thridrangar (Þrídrangar) Lighthouse, Þrídrangar means “three rock pillars,” is undoubtedly one of…