What are the best examples of a really good design?

 

A library that opened up in China recently.

Here are some fun facts about this uniquely designed architectural marvel:

• It has been given the shape of an eye, both outside as well as inside.
• Look from outside, and it would seem like an eye is staring at you through the building’s glazed facade.

• Get inside and it will feel like you are literally walking inside an eyeball; exactly the reason why the atrium of the building has a giant spherical structure in the center, you guessed it, like a pupil.

• The five-story building has a row-like design from floor to ceiling to look like a continuous book shelf, where books exists till the 2nd floor only. Rest of the rows have image of books printed on them; maybe to ensure visitors have their attention glued to the books instead of marveling the design of this magnificent architecture. Subtle!

• The continuous bookshelf design was initially planned to make every row accessible - floor-to-ceiling. Not kidding! The plan was dropped to fast-track construction.

For a world that was presumably moving to ebooks and online reading, this library redefines book reading.

About design, lets just say it hits the ball straight out of the park, where park is a metaphor for ‘Earth’! 

What’s the most ridiculous design fault you’ve seen on a building?

 

This is 30 St Mary Axe, London, commonly known as The Gherkin. It’s not immediately obvious from this shot but towards the bottom of the building the walls actually taper inwards. This meant that when it rained, the water ran down the side of the building until the walls became vertical, then the water dropped straight down in a 360 degree waterfall, making it impossible to enter the building without getting soaked. A later modification put gutters on the outside to redirect the rain.

This is 20 Fenchurch Street, just down the road from the Gherkin, popularly known as the walky-talky because of its concave windowed side. Unfortunately, this faces south, and in the first summer after it was built the concave windows acted like a mirror, concentrating the sunlight onto the street. It burnt carpets, damaged cars and caused great discomfort for those walking past. The architect defended its design by claiming he thought the sun never shined in London.

What are some pictures of the most bizarre interior design failures?

 Don't judge me.

0.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Top 10 Structures with Their Basic Force Bearing Design