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Divine Inspiration
Some of the world’s most unique buildings are houses of worship. Examples include Gaudi’s “Church of the Holy Family” in Barcelona, which resembles a child’s sand drip castle; or the macabre “Chapel of All Saints,” otherwise knows as Bone Church, in the Czech Republic where the altars, bells and pews are made out of human bones. Here are three modern churches recognized for their architectural beauty (sorry, no bones!): Church of Light (Osaka, Japan) by architect Tadao Ando; the St. Croix Lutheran Chapel (St. Paul) with curved copper walls representing the Holy Trinity; and the Blessed Sacrament Church (Singapore) with striking blue-tinted pitched roofs reminiscent of the Biblical Tent of Meeting style.

Source: Wallpaper, 5/08; Architect, May/June 2008; Time, 6/30/08

How Did They Do That?
Our compliments to the engineering prowess behind these clever buildings: Steel House by Robert Bruno, perched on the edge of a Texas canyon; Trilobis 65 Floating Home, concept for a semi-submerged underwater, eco-luxury home; Buffer House with walls of green skin (think Chia Pet); and, lastly, Delta Shelter, a luxury steel box house on stilts.

Source: NYT, 10/7/07; Trendhunting, 6/24/08; Sparkawards.com; aia.org, 11/16/07