Mental Floss

ARCHITECTURE







iStock/mammuth

You may have snapped a photo of England’s most iconic clock, but how well do you really know the United Kingdom’s towering timepiece?

M. Arbeiter


iStock/dblight

Dubai's Burj Khalifa is twice as tall as the Empire State Building, making it the tallest building in the world. But it's about to have some competition for that title.

Alvin Ward
Diliff, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0

For almost two centuries, the reigning monarchs of the United Kingdom have used Buckingham Palace as their administrative headquarters. The building has survived everything from World War II bomb strikes to a crafty undergarment thief.

Mark Mancini






iStock/Sean Pavone

Although the towering tribute to President George Washington is an icon of the Washington, D.C. skyline, there might be a few things you don't know about the Washington Monument's history.

M. Arbeiter


iStock.com/traumschoen

Architectural innovation has been a defining feature of societies since then our ancient relatives began construction shelters 400,000 years ago. From energy-efficient designs to community-based spaces, these seven designs could help shape the future.

Kristance Harlow
iStock.com/traumschoen

Architectural innovation has been a defining feature of societies since then our ancient relatives began construction shelters 400,000 years ago. From energy-efficient designs to community-based spaces, these seven designs could help shape the future.

Kristance Harlow