Humanities › Visual Arts 10 Buildings that Changed the World Print Photo by Carol M. Highsmith/ Buyenlarge / Archive Photos / Getty Images (cropped) Visual Arts Architecture Great Buildings An Introduction to Architecture Styles Theory History Famous Architects Famous Houses Skyscrapers Tips For Homeowners Art & Artists By Jackie Craven Jackie Craven Art and Architecture Expert Doctor of Arts, University of Albany, SUNY M.S., Literacy Education, University of Albany, SUNY B.A., English, Virginia Commonwealth University Dr. Jackie Craven has over 20 years of experience writing about architecture and the arts. She is the author of two books on home decor and sustainable design. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on July 03, 2019 What are the most significant, most beautiful, or most interesting buildings of the past 1,000 years? Some art historians choose the Taj Mahal, while others prefer the soaring skyscrapers of modern times. Others have decided on the Ten Buildings That Changed America. There's no single correct answer. Perhaps the most innovative buildings are not grand monuments, but obscure homes and temples. In this quick list, we'll take a whirlwind tour through time, visiting ten famous architectural masterpieces, plus some often overlooked treasures. c. 1137, St. Denis Church in France Photo by CM Dixon/Print Collector/Hulton Archive Collection/Getty Images (cropped) During the Middle Ages, builders were discovering that stone could carry far greater weight than ever imagined. Cathedrals could soar to dazzling heights, yet create the illusion of lace-like delicacy. The Church of St. Denis, commissioned by Abbot Suger of St. Denis, was one of the first large buildings to use this new vertical style known as Gothic. The church became a model for most of the late 12th century French cathedrals, including Chartres. c. 1205 - 1260, Chartres Cathedral Reconstruction Photo by Katherine Young/Hulton Archive Collection/Getty Images (cropped) In 1194, the original Romanesque style Chartres Cathedral in Chartres, France was destroyed by fire. Reconstructed in the years 1205 to 1260, the new Chartres Cathedral was built in the new Gothic style. Innovations in the cathedral's construction set the standard for thirteenth-century architecture. c. 1406 - 1420, The Forbidden City, Beijing Photo by Santi Visalli/Archive Photos Collection/Getty Images For nearly six centuries, great emperors of China made their home in an enormous palace complex known as the Forbidden City. Today the site is a museum with more than a million priceless artifacts. Today the site is a museum with more than a million priceless artifacts. Read More Top 10 Buildings of the Modern Era By Jackie Craven c. 1546 and Later, The Louvre, Paris Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images News Collection/Getty Images In the late 1500s, Pierre Lescot designed a new wing for the Louvre and popularized ideas of purely classical architecture in France. Lescot's design laid the foundation for the development of the Louvre over the next 300 years. In 1985, architect Ieoh Ming Pei introduced modernism when he designed a startling glass pyramid for the entrance to the palace-turned-museum. c. 1549 and Later, Palladio's Basilica, Italy Photo by Luigi Pasetto/Moment Mobile Collection/Getty Images During the late 1500s, Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio brought a new appreciation for the classical ideas of ancient Rome when he transformed the town hall in Vicenza, Italy into the Basilica (Palace of Justice). Palladio's later designs continued to reflect the humanist values of the Renaissance period. c. 1630 to 1648, Taj Mahal, India Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images News/Credit: Tim Graham/Getty Images According to legend, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan wanted to build the most beautiful mausoleum on earth to express his love for his favorite wife. Or, perhaps he was simply asserting his political power. Persian, Central Asian, and Islamic elements combine in the great white marble tomb. c. 1768 to 1782, Monticello in Virginia Photo by Elan Fleisher/LOOK Collection/Getty Images When the American statesman, Thomas Jefferson, designed his Virginia home, he brought American ingenuity to Palladian ideas. Jefferson's plan for Monticello resembles Andrea Palladio's Villa Rotunda, but he added innovations such as underground service rooms. 1889, The Eiffel Tower, Paris Photo by Steve Lewis Stock/Photolibrary Collection/Getty Images The 19th century Industrial Revolution brought new construction methods and materials to Europe. Cast iron and wrought iron became popular materials used for both building and architectural detailing. Engineer Gustave pioneered the use of puddled iron when he designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The French scorned the record-breaking tower, but it became one of the world's most beloved landmarks. 1890, The Wainwright Building, St. Louis, Missouri Photo By Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives Collection/Getty Images (cropped) Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler redefined American architecture with the Wainwright Building in St. Louis, Missouri. Their design used uninterrupted piers to emphasize the underlying structure. "Form follows function," Sullivan famously told the world. The Modern Era Photo by ihsanyildizli/E+/Getty Images (cropped) During the modern era, exciting new innovations in the world of architecture brought soaring skyscrapers and fresh new approaches to home design. Keep on reading for favorite buildings from the 20th and 21st centuries. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Craven, Jackie. "10 Buildings that Changed the World." ThoughtCo, Jul. 29, 2021, thoughtco.com/buildings-that-changed-the-world-177938. Craven, Jackie. (2021, July 29). 10 Buildings that Changed the World. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/buildings-that-changed-the-world-177938 Craven, Jackie. "10 Buildings that Changed the World." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/buildings-that-changed-the-world-177938 (accessed April 20, 2024). copy citation