The world’s most iconic buildings raise a collective middle finger to Srisuwan Janya
Sorry ultra-nationalist old farts, Mahanakhon is in the company of giants.
7 years ago
The web is on fire! As Mahanakhon held an inaugural light show last Tuesday, the internets suddenly realized the 77-story building is designed by German architect Ole Scheeren. That would be illegal, as architecture is one of those professions foreigners are barred from practising in Thailand, along with hairdresser, lacquer worker, match maker (meaning a maker of matches or someone who hooks you up? We’re not sure), dynamiting rocks, and silkworm raising. We are not making this up.
Then, ultra-nationalist activist Srisuwan Janya filed a petition with the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday, demanding they look into whether Mahanakhon’s developer PACE is in breach of Thai law. (Man, if they decide to tear down that building, that’s going to be a lot of work.) Some of you even found your way to our old story on that topic so we won’t repeat our stance on the issue. But we will state the obvious in the form of a listical (so 2013!):
The world’s most iconic buildings designed by foreigners:
The Sydney Opera House, in Australia, designed by Dane architect Jorn Utzon (who was selected through an international competition headed by a Finnish-American architect, Eero-Saarinen)
Credit: en.wikipedia.org
The Pyramide du Louvre (or Grand Louve), in Paris, France, designed by Chinese-American architect I.M Pei
Credit: en.wikipedia.org
The Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, designed by Iraqi-born British architect Zaha Hadid
Credit: commons.wikimedia.org
The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, designed by American architect Frank Gehry
Credit: commons.wikimedia.org
The World Trade Center Transportation Hub, in New York City, USA, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava
Credit: de.wikipedia.org
The CCTV Headquarters, in Beijing, China, designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and German architect Ole Scheeren (yes, Mahanakhon’s very own)
Credit:http://www.bugaga.ru/
The Shard, in London, UK., designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano
Credit: commons.wikimedia.org
The Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, United Araba Emirates, designed by American firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Credit: www.flickr.com
The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpuer, Malaysai, designed by Argentine American architect Cesar Pelli
Credit: www.flickr.com
The White House, in Washington D.C., USA, designed by Irish architect James Hoban
Credit: commons.wikimedia.org
Bonus building: The Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, in Bangkok, Thailand, designed by Italian architects headed by Ercole Pietro Manfredi. It was commissioned by HM King Rama V. Any comments on that, Srisuwan?
Latest News
Bangkok Island in murky waters as permit issues plague the party boat’s pier
After the 4/20 party this weekend, Bangkok Island will be adrift, but you may find “pop-up” parties around the river.
Bangkok Island in murky waters as permit issues plague the party boat’s pier
Bangkok Island will be adrift after the 4/20 party this weekend, but look out for “pop-up” parties around the river.
Shut Up and Dance: Where to find dancing communities in Bangkok
From freestyle hip-hop and swing to K-pop and voguing, BK explores where (and how) to strut your stuff.
