„Dancing Towers“ in the MediaHarbour, Dusseldorf

In 1989 the partly modification of the old Rhine harbour started. Today the area of the MediaHarbour is one of the trendiest quarters due to its mixture of offices and different kinds of restaurants. Especially the inclined towers of Frank O. Gehry – also known as “Dancing Office Towers” – attract a lot of tourists interested in architecture.

The white house is reflected by the metal front of the house besides so that lines, shades and light reflections, appearing and disappearing, underline the character of the “Dancing Towers”. With his unusual architecture Frank O. Gehry develops a creative vision of space design and experience.

Headquarters of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) – A Building for the 21st century

This elegant building seems to float above the surrounding parkland, like a ferry on the lake. Its “big blue ship” silhouette stands out in Geneva’s landscape with an elegant contemporary look, whose pure lines enclose many technological innovations.

Architects Rino Brodbeck and Jacques Roulet submitted their ‘Chic Planète’ project to the WMO competition to design a new Headquarters in 1993. In 1999 the building was constructed.

Aluminium, glass, stone and concrete are the main materials in a delicate compromise between maximum light penetration and optimal heat retention or cooling. Utilising both innovative and time-honoured techniques of energy conservation, the structure bears testimony to the commitment of WMO to the protection of the environment and the rational and economical use of energy.

From the cafeteria on top floor, visitors enjoy a great view over Geneva.

Sunrise Tower, Zurich - The skyscraper ensemble Hagenholzstrasse

The construction of this double tower started in 2000 and was completed in 2005. The construction of the Sunrise Tower, Zurich, signified the end of an era without skyscrapers. For a period of twenty years the town council did not give permission to engineer any new high buildings.

The concept of the Sunrise Tower was developed by the working group Wäschle Wüst and the studio Max Dudler, and went on to win an architecture competition.

The skyscraper is currently Zurich’s second highest building. Cafeterias and lounges were equipped with furniture by the Danish designer Arne Jacobsen.

Kista Science Tower

The Kista Science Tower is the highest building within Stockholm (Sweden) at a with its height of 117,2 metres (156 metres including the antenna on the roof). It is the landmark of the quarter of Kista in the North-west of Stockholm. The tower counts 33 floors including the underground parking spaces. With a speed of 5 to 6 meters a second the building contains the fastest elevator of Sweden.

Kista Science Tower was finished in 2003. Until the completion of the Turning Torso (2004) in Malmö it was the highest building inside of Scandinavia.

Swiss Re Building (“The Gherkin”) London

This 180 metre and 41 floors high office building was designed by the architect, Lord Norman Foster. The circular ground plan has a diameter of nearly 50 metres, with the diameter increasing to 56.50 meters at the 16th floor, and then reducing again to the top. The circular shape, makes the tower streamlined, enabling the enormous wind pressure usually working at high buildings to be reduced.

The construction of this unique building used a total of 10,000 tons of steel. The frame is composed out of twisted helix string, whilst the sheathing consists of triangular and rhombic glass elements. The architect and building owner have put great emphasis on the importance of energy efficiency, with the building designed to use half the power a similar tower would typically consume through energy saving methods.

Sydney Opera House – A multi-venue performing arts centre

This modern, expressionist-designed building, finished in1973, is one of the most famous performing arts centres in the world. It was conceive by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, who in 2003 received the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest honour. The Sydney Opera House is his masterpiece. The Opera House was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

Its distinctive roof comprises sets of interlocking vaulted ‘shells’ set upon a vast terraced platform and surrounded by terrace areas that function as pedestrian area. The Opera House is supported on 588 concrete piers fixed 25 metres below sea level. The power supply is equivalent to that of a town of 25,000 people, and is distributed by 645.5 kilometres of electrical cable.

Contrary to its name, the building houses several separate venues rather than a single opera theatre. The Sydney Opera House is a major presenting venue for Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, the Sydney Theatre Company and the Sydney Symphony, as well as hosting many touring productions in a variety of performance genres, and is a major tourist attraction.

The Convention Centre Dublin

This landmark building of international importance was designed by Pritzker Award-winning architect Kevin Roche, and features a stunning glass-fronted atrium running the full height of the building – giving visitors panoramic views of the River Liffey, Dublin city centre and the Wicklow mountains.

The contemporary 21st century venue was designed to meet the highest standards of environmental sustainability, including choice of construction materials.