Cover Photo: Louvre
Photo: Louvre
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Visit these museums and marvel at their astounding architecture
Apart from the unique pieces it houses, a museum is an artwork on its own. Designed by some of the greatest visionaries in the world, these buildings either impressively blend into the space it inhabits or stand out, so much so that it leaves guests marvelling at their beauty even before setting their eyes on an artwork.
See also: An Upgraded Jose Rizal Gallery is Now Open at the National Museum
Here are some of the most impressive museums in the world that'll leave you in awe the second you arrive:
Maxxi
Photo: Iwan Baan / Zaha Hadid
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Maxxi, stylised as MAXXI, is Italy's first national museum of contemporary art and architecture. Located in Flaminio, Rome, the building was borne out of an esteemed figure in architecture, Zaha Hadid's genius. The museum is designed with confluent lines that extend from the exterior to the interior space.
See also: WWF Philippines Launches 3D Virtual Museum to Educate Filipinos on Climate Change
Design Museum
Above Photo: London
Photo: London
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Situated in London, United Kingdom, this 110,000-square-feet museum is designed by several architects from Allies and Morrison, John Pawson, and OMA. The Design Museum is a modern creation with a parabolic form, a refurbished structural shell, and Grade II listed copper roof.
Louvre
Above Photo: Louvre
Photo: Louvre
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Housing a vast collection of artworks spanning from the 15th to 19th century France, The Louvre Museum is a remarkable building that was turned into a public museum. This most-visited museum is also known for its controversial glass pyramid entrance designed by Chinese-American architect, IM Pei. It has several buildings forming two main quadrilaterals and two courtyards.
See also: A New Era Begins for Ayala Museum and Filipinas Heritage Library
Site Museum of Paracas Culture
Photo: Barclay and Crousse
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Found in Paracas, Peru, the Site Museum of Paracas Culture is a sight to behold. This archaeological museum, designed by Barclay and Crousse, is built entirely with salt-resistant reddish pozzolan cement. The idea behind its geometry? Paracas textiles reimagined.
Art Museum of São Paulo
Photo: Britannica
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Art Museum of São Paulo, better known as MASP, is the first to house and exhibit modern art in Brazil. Italian architect Lina Bo Bardi wanted to build a "living museum". The building consists of four red pillars and a large volume (the main building volume is suspended eight metres above the ground).
See also: Date Ideas: 5 Local Museums Where Couples Can Hangout
Musée D'Orsay
Above Photo: Daniel Vorndran / DXR / Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Daniel Vorndran / DXR / Wikimedia Commons
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The Musée D'Orsay building, regarded as the first "work of art", houses French art collections ranging from 1848 to 1914. Three architects—Lucien Magne, Émile Bénard and Victor Laloux—originally built the Musée D'Orsay as a train station. Located in Paris, France, the museum was designed with luggage ramps and elevators thanks to Laloux.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Above Photo: Met Museum
Photo: Met Museum
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Perhaps one of the most famous museums in the world is The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its facade and Great Hall were originally designed by founding Museum Trustee Richard Morris Hunt. The building has been expanded over the years; it houses the Temple of Dendur, The American Wing, and The Michael C Rockefeller Wing among many others.
The museum has hosted galas in the past attended by the biggest celebrities, in celebration of art and fashion.
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Christine Andas is a features writer and the style lead of Tatler Philippines. She mostly covers style-related content but enjoys writing about space, sneakers, and her favourite stars. She acquired a master's degree in Creative Writing at the University of Santo Tomas and has written young adult short stories which can be read online.
