Mental Floss

ARCHITECTURE

Alberto Otero García, Flickr // CC by 2.0

12 Facts about the Guggenheim Bilbao

Since its opening in 1997, it has inspired a plethora of critiques, articles, awards, artists, and visitors. Here are a dozen facts about one of the most popular art museums in Spain.

Frank Lloyd Wright // Facebook Group Odd Pittsburgh

8 Amazing Scrapped Projects That Would Have Changed U.S. Cities

A peek at what could have been.

Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

10 Amazing Moats Around the World

Some served as protection; some were mere status symbols. All of them were awesome.

istock

15 Things You Might Not Know About the Empire State Building

It may not be New York City’s tallest building, but it’s possibly its most celebrated.

Visitor7 via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0

4 Castles You Can Find in Phoenix

How many castles can one city in the American desert have? At least four.

The Seagram Building in New York City // Getty Images

9 Minimalist Facts About Architect Mies van der Rohe

Happy birthday, Mies!

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15 Things You Might Not Know About the Space Needle

It may not be as tall as landmarks like the Empire State Building or Chicago's Willis Tower, but the 605-foot structure has a towering spirit of its own.

Noa, Jaanus Orgusaar, Estonia (or anywhere), 2011. Photo: Jaanus Orgusaar, Terje Ugandi

8 Tiny Dwellings That Make Downsizing Look Awesome

So cute!

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Skyscrapers Could One Day Be Held Together With Glue

Instead of building with bolts and rivets, architects may one day design skyscrapers held together with high-tech adhesives.

The Ghosts of London’s Abandoned Public Toilets

An architectural photographer hunts down the relics of Victorian London's public hygiene efforts.

Alexander Baxevanis, Flickr // CC BY 2.0

Wicked Attractions: 6 Devil's Bridges You Can Visit

Locals believe the devil is the main architect behind these medieval structures.

An NYC micro-apartment demo // Getty Images

Young Bostonians Might Get Their Own 'Millennial Villages'

A state housing report calls for the creation of more dorm-like housing for young people in the city.

A.Savin via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0

10 Extravagant Examples of Folly Architecture

With these buildings, form trumps function.

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12 Facts About Saint Basil’s Cathedral

The brilliant colors for which the cathedral is known weren't part of the original design.

Wouter Biegelaar's "Iceberg" // Icehotel

6 Amazing Hotels Constructed From Natural Materials

Spend the night in a hotel room built from straw, salt, sand, snow—or chocolate.

iStock

10 Bridge Traditions From Around the World

Paris' love locks are far from the world's only bridge-related tradition.

VIP Castle

This Brokerage Firm Only Lists Castles and Historic Buildings

Some cost less than a Manhattan apartment.

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13 Sage Facts About the Hagia Sophia

Once the largest cathedrals in the world, this 1,500-year-old landmark has had quite the history.

Cases em Movimento

This Solar Home Shape-Shifts to Follow the Sun

The building's design was inspired by sunflowers.

Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain // Getty Images

Gaudí’s Accidental Death: Why The Great Architect Was Mistaken For A Beggar

The famed Catalan designer was well-known in Barcelona, but he died a pauper's death when no one recognized the injured old man on the street.

Watch This Time-Lapse of a Bridge Being Built Over the St. Croix River

Here's what goes into building a technical marvel.

iStock

7 Fascinating Facts About Obelisks

A new book offers an absorbing account of the obelisk’s place in human civilization.

NASA

Scientists Say They've Found a Way to Make Martian Concrete

This could be what Martian colonies of the future are made of.

Eindhoven University of Technology

Students Turn Leonardo da Vinci's Design Into the World's Longest Ice Bridge

The ice bridge will stretch 115 feet.