Modern Architecture Monuments Found Throughout Europe

Remember being a kid, standing at the base of a huge building. Looking up, it was super cool. You wanted to be Superman moving from one building to the next.

Then you decided to learn how to create those buildings. It’s even more fascinating to be behind the design process. But don’t lose your wonder for the world around you. 

Europe is a fascinating example of the options out there for some inspiration. 

Explore it all, from the Middle Ages to modern architecture from the turn of the 20th century, with just a few blocks in between. That's marvellous from an architectural history point of view. It’s a bit of magic that makes Europe such a destination worth exploring. 

There are some fantastic, creative examples of stunning monuments around the world that show the creativity of people. Old or new, Paris or Berlin, the more you see, the more you want to create. Let’s talk about some of the most important examples.

These are not the most known locations in Europe. They are the best example of incredible modern architecture and old. Make the trip to see each one.

30 St. Mary Axe, London

Gothic architecture, by rule, has attitude. 30 St. Mary Axe is the perfect example of it.

This monument in the financial district is actually called The Gherkin. It climbs 40 stories over the city streets. What makes it impressively modern is the impressive shape. And the glass walls. Privacy aside, it’s impressive and stunning. 

The building is used commercially. It’s functional. It steps away from the traditional box-like office buildings nearby. It’s more circular shape, one that’s more dynamic and visually interesting, stands out as a result. The building, designed by Norman Foster and the Arup Group, is a fabulous example of skyscrapers from the time.

Atomium, Belgium 

Photo by Single.Earth

Science and architecture combine in Atomium. It’s a visual statement. Atomium is a masterpiece in its design and functionality. This monument looks like an atom – the type you learned about in biology.

It has rounded spheres connected by long, clean lines and columns. It was built in 1958 to be used at the World’s Expo Fair. It operates as a modernist landmark and cultural space today. There are often exhibitions here of numerous notable types, and it's possible to explore the area on a tour. Book one to get an inside view of this exceptional experience. 

The Atomium is quite a beautiful masterpiece in its own right. It’s also an opportunity to see some magnificent views of the entire city of Brussels as you move through the attraction. The interior spaces on this surreal ride are mesmerizing and a true testament to the marvels of modern architecture. It’s more of an experience than you can imagine.

Oslo Opera House in Norway

Photo by Nan Wisanmongkol

Many would say the Oslo Opera House is the ideal representation of modern architectural design taken to the next level. It is the largest building created in the country since Nidarosdomen was built in 1300. The designers set out to make a statement. And they certainly did.

The monument is noted for its simplistic design, using only stone, wood, and metal in its structural elements. 

It operates as the home for the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. Constructed in 2007, it’s one of the newest examples of modern architecture in this list. The property is a testament to the rebuilding and redevelopment of the country. 

This waterfront building has a horseshoe-like shape to the auditorium. The lobby has huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the waterfront. Outside? You’ll find something quite interesting. It’s a skateboard-friendly exterior, with beautiful panels of stone and angles perfect for any type of blank slate. It functionally works as a stunning art gallery.

National Library, Belarus

Photo by Eugene Krasnaok

Another fantastic monument to explore is the National Library in Belarus. It is the largest library in the country. It boasts the third-largest collection of Russian printed materials. Aside from its functional and historic importance, this library offers several other notable features that make it one of the most iconic of modern architectural monuments in the area.

Built in 1939, the National Library looks like a diamond. It even glistens in the sunlight. Sure, it’s functional, but those top-to-bottom windows make it an incredible statement piece. It’s quite the crowning jewel on the city.

 The building was built by the duo of Viktor Kramarenko and Mikhail Vinogradov. It’s 23 stories in height. The shape pays tribute to what’s stored inside: the incredible value of knowledge that mankind has developed over centuries. Standing at 73.67 meters in height, it is significantly taller than most structures surrounding it, helping it to stand as a diamond in the sky.

Harpa Concert Hall, Iceland

Photo by Andrea De Santis

Located in Reykjavik, Iceland, the Harpa Concert Hall provides a visually stunning example of how architecture accomplishes goals. Right on the waterfront, on the harbour, it’s certainly out of place. It’s sharp, geometrical, and harsh compared to the soft water around it. It’s also made entirely of glass and structural elements. Bright lights and concrete add to the display, as do the rows and rows of individual paned windows. 

The design is not just for show. In fact, the spectacular view you see as you approach a concern is only amplified inside. The design of this space was crafted very practically to create improved acoustics. It’s visually stunning, but the sound is truly next level.

MAXXI, Italy

Photo by Kurt Cotoaga

The ornate beauty of Rome is definitely over the top. But not all structures seem to be out of the past. The MAXXI is a museum quite unlike any other. It took 10 years to construct this architectural wonder. It blends both modernism and constructivism to create a strong, powerful statement of simplicity in a city known for its ornate and over-the-top gliding. The National Museum of Contemporary Art space features metallic column-like structures throughout. The interior, though, has more of a softer flow with playfully designed staircases and an open, wrap-around area. 

The curved walls and volumes within create quite a drastic design experience. In some areas, you have a very rich spatial design with intersections of openness and fabulous light shining from openings along the curved roofline. Yet, it has a more of a playful design, one that features full-height atriums, auditoriums, and open galleries that look immense in some areas and quite tiny in others. Otherwise, it features some drastic sharp angles, almost as if the space pays homage to creativity around every corner.

The Church of Hallgrimur, Iceland

Photo by Yves Alarie

As you walk down the streets of Reykjavik in Iceland, you will see plenty of signs of beautiful modern architecture. At the centre is the Church of Hallgrimur. It is a massive building, towering over the smaller town. It looks absolutely out of place. 

It was designed by Guojon Samuelsson and is a functional church. The building was first commissioned in 1937, but the construction did not begin until 1945. It would take until 1986 for it to be complete. That's a long time, but perfection is the result.

What makes this landmark monument so special is its stepped design. It is meant to look like a basalt lava flow that is the country’s landscape. It stands 74.5 meters in height and is the largest structure in the country. 

The curved spire with side wings is mesmerizing to follow with your eyes. From the large pipe organs within to the bells at the top that ring each hour, this structure has numerous more modern elements than traditional modernist architecture, including in the sanctuary. Yet, the cylindrical shape of the building pays homage to the shape of a Viking war helmet. 

Kunsthaus Graz, Austria

Another very modern structure that was created with modern influences was Kunsthaus Graz. It was built as a part of the European Capital of Culture program in 2003. This structure meshes culture and science, something that defines the community itself.

Look carefully. You’ll see what it is meant to look like. Not your traditional heart shape, but a mechanical, powerful, realistic version. It features nearly 1000 fluorescent rings. When the lights are on, the pattern is incredibly brilliant. While it seems to beam out immense power and light from those lights, most of that power comes from solar panels on the roof of the structure.

Designed by Colin Fournier and Sir Peter Cook, it was meant to have a less institutional look and was a way to create exhibition spaces with less refined, traditional, blocky buildings. 

It’s an excellent example of blob architecture. Kunsthaus Graz features blue acrylic panels on the exterior, which work as solar panels to power the system. It certainly looks as if a spaceship has landed in the middle of the city. The architects wanted to incorporate modern and contemporary features from 1960s art to more present-day elements. This museum is one that must be on your list to visit.

Europe is home to many historical treasures, from architecture that dates back to the early Romans and Greeks. Yet, some of the monuments that dot the landscape today provide both function and beauty in other ways. By taking a bit of a tour around Europe, you’ll find it breathtakingly beautiful to explore all that this region has to offer. Modern monuments in Europe like these are examples of the quite unique skill of European architects.