From Nova Scotia to North Korea, a host of distinctive buildings are set to be unveiled this year, promising to make 2014 a banner year for architectural design. CNN takes you on a worldwide tour of some of the most extraordinary structures, including the world's first "invisible" tower, and a vertical city in the sky.
Guangzhou Circle Mansion
Italian architecture firm AM Progetti has recently completed this round skyscraper, which has been dubbed "The Doughnut", in China's southern town of Guangzhou. The inner hole is unique in building design, and has a diameter of almost 50 meters. The architects say that they wanted to create a landmark building which would defy the western skyscraper stereotype, and were inspired by jade discs and numerological tradition of feng shui.
By Milena Veselinovic, for CNN
Guangzhou Circle Mansion
Italian architecture firm AM Progetti has recently completed this round skyscraper, which has been dubbed "The Doughnut", in China's southern town of Guangzhou. The inner hole is unique in building design, and has a diameter of almost 50 meters. The architects say that they wanted to create a landmark building which would defy the western skyscraper stereotype, and were inspired by jade discs and numerological tradition of feng shui.
By Milena Veselinovic, for CNN
The Citadel
For centuries, the Dutch reclaimed land from the sea to build dwellings in its low-lying terrain. Now, the architectural firm Waterstudio has decided to embrace water rather than fight it, and has designed the world's first floating apartment complex - The Citadel. It is due to be completed in December, and will have 60 luxury apartments with large terraces and parking spaces.
For centuries, the Dutch reclaimed land from the sea to build dwellings in its low-lying terrain. Now, the architectural firm Waterstudio has decided to embrace water rather than fight it, and has designed the world's first floating apartment complex - The Citadel. It is due to be completed in December, and will have 60 luxury apartments with large terraces and parking spaces.
Harbin Cultural Center
This curvy, organic structure, designed by MAD Architects, is located in the northeast of China and surrounded by rivers. Unlike most other centers of culture, it is not based in the heart of the city, but aims to join art and nature in an integrated environment.
This curvy, organic structure, designed by MAD Architects, is located in the northeast of China and surrounded by rivers. Unlike most other centers of culture, it is not based in the heart of the city, but aims to join art and nature in an integrated environment.
The Leadenhall Building
The striking skyscraper, nicknamed the Cheesegrater due to its distinctive shape, is an unmissable landmark in London's skyline. Designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, it is the latest in a crop of extraordinary buildings such as the Gherkin, also pictured here, and 20 Fenchurch Street, better known as the Walkie Talkie, built in the heart of London's financial district.
The striking skyscraper, nicknamed the Cheesegrater due to its distinctive shape, is an unmissable landmark in London's skyline. Designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, it is the latest in a crop of extraordinary buildings such as the Gherkin, also pictured here, and 20 Fenchurch Street, better known as the Walkie Talkie, built in the heart of London's financial district.
Shanghai Tower
Designed by Gensler, the soaring tower, pictured on the left, has rounded corners allowing it to resist typhoon-force winds which often batter Shanghai. Its curved façade and spiraling form are also intended to symbolize the dynamic emergence of modern China. The 632-meter-high structure is currently being constructed in the core of Shanghai's Lujiazui commercial district, planned for completion later this year.
Designed by Gensler, the soaring tower, pictured on the left, has rounded corners allowing it to resist typhoon-force winds which often batter Shanghai. Its curved façade and spiraling form are also intended to symbolize the dynamic emergence of modern China. The 632-meter-high structure is currently being constructed in the core of Shanghai's Lujiazui commercial district, planned for completion later this year.
Rotterdam Market Hall
This tunnel-shaped structure in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam is designed as a hybrid between a bustling open-air market, and residential apartments. The project, by Dutch architects MVRDV, is part of the regeneration plan of the city center, which was damaged badly in World War II bombing raids.
This tunnel-shaped structure in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam is designed as a hybrid between a bustling open-air market, and residential apartments. The project, by Dutch architects MVRDV, is part of the regeneration plan of the city center, which was damaged badly in World War II bombing raids.
Tower Infinity
This revolutionary 450 meter-tall skyscraper aims to become the world's first "invisible" building when it's completed in Seoul, South Korea, later this year. It will achieve that illusion with the help of a high-tech LED facade system, which uses a series of cameras to send real-time images onto the building's reflective surface.
Designed by GDS Architects, the tower will have an adjustable level of power, giving it different levels of invisibility.
This revolutionary 450 meter-tall skyscraper aims to become the world's first "invisible" building when it's completed in Seoul, South Korea, later this year. It will achieve that illusion with the help of a high-tech LED facade system, which uses a series of cameras to send real-time images onto the building's reflective surface.
Designed by GDS Architects, the tower will have an adjustable level of power, giving it different levels of invisibility.
Halifax Central Library
The library in the Canadian port city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, it aims to become the cultural hub of Canada's second-smallest province. Designed by Danish architectural firm schmidt hammer lassen, it blends the distinctive atmosphere of local landscape with northern European design heritage.
The library in the Canadian port city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, it aims to become the cultural hub of Canada's second-smallest province. Designed by Danish architectural firm schmidt hammer lassen, it blends the distinctive atmosphere of local landscape with northern European design heritage.
Sky City
This towering structure has the ambition to become the tallest building on Earth at staggering 838 meters. The developer, Broad Sustainable Building, claims that the tower can be constructed in just a few months, rather than years usually necessary for structures of similar scope, thanks to its prefabricated design. This vertical city in Changsha, central China, will have the highest urban density in the world, and will house a mix of residential and commercial properties, if building goes ahead.
This towering structure has the ambition to become the tallest building on Earth at staggering 838 meters. The developer, Broad Sustainable Building, claims that the tower can be constructed in just a few months, rather than years usually necessary for structures of similar scope, thanks to its prefabricated design. This vertical city in Changsha, central China, will have the highest urban density in the world, and will house a mix of residential and commercial properties, if building goes ahead.
Ryugyong Hotel
North Korea's tallest structure rises menacingly 330 meters over Pyongyang, and has been in construction for over two decades. Works stopped completely when cash flow was severed after the collapse of Soviet Union in 1992, but resumed in 2008. The pyramidal building, nicknamed "The Hotel of Doom", is set to be finally finished, or partially open in 2014.
North Korea's tallest structure rises menacingly 330 meters over Pyongyang, and has been in construction for over two decades. Works stopped completely when cash flow was severed after the collapse of Soviet Union in 1992, but resumed in 2008. The pyramidal building, nicknamed "The Hotel of Doom", is set to be finally finished, or partially open in 2014.