CCTV Headquarters – A Loop through Power, Media, and Form
Explore the story behind the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing, one of the most radical buildings of the 21st century. Designed by Rem Koolhaas and OMA, this massive looping skyscraper challenged conventional architecture and redefined China’s urban skyline. From its politically charged commission to its daring structural design and the infamous fire that nearly overshadowed it, this episode unpacks the cultural, engineering, and symbolic weight behind one of Beijing’s most iconic landmarks.Perfect for anyone curious about modern architecture, state power, and how to push the boundaries of an established discipline.
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15:58
30 St Mary Axe – Rethinking the Modern Skyscraper
In this episode we head to the heart of London to uncover the story behind 30 St Mary Axe, the skyscraper better known as The Gherkin.From the tragedy of a bombed historic building to the rise of a glass tower that redefined London’s skyline, this is the story of a building that challenged not just height restrictions, but architectural expectations. We’ll explore how a once-skeptical city came together to rethink what a skyscraper could be.We’ll dive into Norman Foster’s career at the time, the building’s radical energy-saving systems, and the subtle genius of its construction.This is the story of how something strange, something un-London, became one of the city’s most beloved icons.
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Santa Maria del Fiore - The Unbuildable Dome
Discover how Florence’s most iconic cathedral became the birthplace of Renaissance architecture, and how Filippo Brunelleschi solved a 45-meter-wide engineering mystery no one else could. This episode explores the political ambition, civic pride, and human genius behind the construction of the world’s largest masonry dome, completed in 1434. From medieval beginnings to Renaissance triumph, it's the story of how one structure reshaped architecture forever.
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14:29
Parthenon – The Illusion of Perfection
Discover the secrets behind one of the most iconic buildings in history. This episode explores the Parthenon in Athens.Not just as a temple to the goddess Athena, but as a masterclass in political power, architectural illusion, and cultural identity.Learn how 5th-century BCE architects used subtle curves, tilted columns, and optical tricks to create the illusion of perfection,and why those techniques wouldn’t be studied again for nearly two thousand years.We’ll unpack the building’s dimensions, interior layout, sculpture program, and the myths encoded in its marble. From its origins on the Acropolis to its destruction, transformation, and legacy, the Parthenon tells a story of empire, ambition, and beauty that still shapes architecture today.
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Guggenheim Bilbao Museum – The Birth of the Bilbao Effect
The Guggenheim Bilbao Museum is more than an architectural icon and a turning point in the history of cities. In this episode, we explore how a daring political decision, a collapsing industrial economy, and a radical design by Frank Gehry came together to create what is now known as “The Bilbao Effect.” Learn how Bilbao, once a declining port city in northern Spain, took a chance on contemporary architecture and rebranded itself for the world. From the museum’s titanium curves to its economic ripple effects, this is the story of how one building reshaped urban regeneration, cultural identity, and the global role of architecture.
Step into the world of architectural history with Architecture Topics (by WikiArquitectura).
Each episode uncovers the stories behind iconic buildings and the visionary architects who shaped history. From ancient wonders to modern masterpieces, we explore the ideas that revolutionized design.
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