Marina’s 3 Favorite Buildings
Introduction
Some buildings stay with us—not just because they’re famous, but because they challenge the way we see the world. These are the ones that make us stop, look, and think differently about space, light, and materials. We dived into Marina’s 3 favorite buildings, each offering something unique: radical transparency, workplace innovation, and a redefinition of beauty. Let’s take a closer look at what makes these projects so compelling.
1. The Farnsworth House
Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House is a masterclass in restraint. A glass box hovering over the ground, it embodies the modernist ethos of open space. What makes it remarkable is its boldness—there are no unnecessary elements, only structure, glass, and the landscape beyond.
Yet, it also sparks an important discussion: How do we balance aesthetic purity with comfort? The house challenges our notions of domesticity, forcing us to consider architecture as more than just a shelter blurring the boundaries between interior design and architecture.
“What makes architecture, architecture? Aside from the core, the function of a home comes mostly from furniture. The idea that furniture and interior program are separate from architecture is a very narrow-minded view of what architecture is.”
2. Fallingwater
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater is legendary for a reason. Perched over a waterfall, it blurs the boundary between the built and the natural world. The cantilevers, the rhythm of the stone, the way the house seems to grow out of the landscape—it’s all carefully orchestrated to create a sense of belonging.
Visiting Fallingwater, one thing is clear: It’s not just about seeing the house, it’s about experiencing the movement of water, the sound of the stream, and the changing light filtering through the trees. Wright’s genius was not just in designing a home, but in crafting an immersive environment, where nature and architecture exist in harmony.
“Frank Lloyd Wright’s projects have an edge to them because he’s trying things that don’t quite work for construction or design reasons. They’re a little bit sloppy and filled with friction but that’s why his projects are special”
3. Johnson Wax Building
With its signature ‘lily pad’ columns and glass tube skylights, the Johnson Wax Building is a reimagining of what a workspace can be. Wright believed that architecture should uplift the human spirit, and here, he creates a space that feels more like a cathedral than an office.
The building’s soft, diffused light and organic forms create a sense of calm and focus, proving that even corporate architecture can be deeply human-centered. Wright’s ability to shape environments that influence mood and productivity remains a powerful lesson for contemporary designers.
“The space was just magical. The light was streaming through the lilypad column and you get that wow feeling and just admire the silence of the space. It’s strange to feel this way in an office building.”
4. The Pompidou Centre
Few buildings provoke as much debate as the Pompidou Centre. With its exoskeletal structure, brightly colored mechanical systems, and unapologetic transparency, it challenges traditional ideas of beauty and permanence.
What makes it so compelling is its boldness. Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers weren’t interested in blending in—they wanted to redefine what a cultural space could be. The result is a building that is as much a work of art as the pieces it houses, proving that architecture can be both provocative and playful. Whether loved or hated, it undeniably captures the energy and dynamism of the city around it.
“There’s always been [this perception] in the society where anything industrial or utilitarian is not beautiful. People think that a building has to be of a certain genre [or style] in order for it to be beautiful. Why is that?”
The Power of Architecture to Inspire
Architecture is a conversation—between past and future, between form and function, between human needs and creative vision. Each of these buildings tells a different story, but all push the boundaries of what architecture can be.
Whether it’s the radical openness of Farnsworth House, the immersive nature of Fallingwater, the innovation of the Johnson Wax Building or the boldness of the Pompidou, these projects remind us why architecture matters. They shape our experiences, influence our perceptions, and continue to spark conversations long after they’re built. That’s what makes them truly great.