The ultra-modern steel and glass Liege-Guillemins railway station in Liege, Belgium, was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2008. This photo was shot by Andrea Schuh, a photographer in Cologne, Germany.
Courtesy Andrea Schuh
L'Hemisferic planetarium, Spain —
The L'Hemisferic planetarium in Valencia, Spain, is an attraction at the City of Arts and Sciences compound. The building resembles a large human eye, says Duangmon Chaturapitaporn, who shot this photo in 2011. The building is surrounded by water "to create the illusion of the eye as a whole."
Courtesy Duangmon Chaturapitaporn
King's Cross railway station, London —
Although London's King's Cross railway station in opened in 1852, its new 1,700-ton steel and glass dome has given it a breathtakingly futuristic edge. Many know this station as the location of the fictional "Platform 9 3/4" in the Harry Potter novels, like Timothy Holm, who took this photo.
Courtesy Timthy Holm
Beijing's National Stadium, China —
Julee Khoo looks at Beijing's National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, and says it's "amazing how difficult it was for humans to recreate something that a bird does instinctively." The stadium, created for the 2008 Summer Olympics, is largely empty these days.
Courtesy Julee Khoo
Los Angeles International Airport, USA —
The "Theme Building" at Los Angeles International Airport was meant to look like a spaceship, according to the University of Southern California. Designed by William Pereira, it was built in 1961 and served as a restaurant for years. iReporter Marie Sager remembers dining there 30 years ago.
Courtesy Marie Sager
The Atomium, Belgium —
The Atomium in Brussels, Belgium, conjured the future "with a world then obsessed with the atom and the specter of an atomic future," says California photographer George Kreif. The structure was built for the 1958 World's Fair.
Courtesy George Kreif
Aldar Headquarters, UAE —
Completed in 2010 in Al Raha Beach, United Arab Emirates, the Aldar Headquarters building resembles a glass-covered wheel. The 23-story office space follows LEED standards for environmentally exceptional buildings. It has has become a city landmark, says Devi Trianna, who predicts the cities of the future will be more environmentally friendly.
Courtesy Devi Trianna Tobing
Cube Houses, the Netherlands —
The Cube Houses in Rotterdam and Helmond in the Netherlands were designed to open up space on the floor by creating living spaces up on the roof. Thai Dang was intrigued to learn that people live inside these geometric homes.
Courtesy Thai Dang
Cayan Tower, UAE —
The 80-story Cayan Tower is a residential building in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. "Its unique helix-shaped design is futuristic because it redefines what one might think of as the 'normal' architectural characteristics of a skyscraper," said iReporter Lynda Martinez.
Courtesy Lynda Martinez
Oriental Pearl Tower, China —
Joanne Huang was visiting Shanghai, China, when she photographed the Oriental Pearl Tower. The TV tower is an iconic building located in the Bund district, near the Huangpu River.
Courtesy Joanne Huang
The World, UAE —
Not really a building, but still man-made, The World is an artificial archipelago in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The 300 islands form a world map that can be seen from an aerial view.
Courtesy Joanne Huang
The Star, Singapore —
Sean Lowcay describes the Star Performing Arts Centre in Singapore, as an architectural explosion of shapes and ideas. The 15-story structure also functions as a civic and cultural center. At the top of the building, there are 5,000 seats designated for theater performances and church events.
Courtesy Sean Lowcay
Sagrada Familia, Spain —
When you think "futuristic buildings," a large Roman Catholic church might not come to mind. But Timothy Holm begs to differ after seeing the Basilica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain. Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi in the 1880s, the building has yet to be completed. The anticipated finish date is 2026, the 100th anniversary of the architect's death.
Courtesy Timothy Holm
Burj Khalifa, UAE —
This is just the tip of Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest man-made structure in the world, standing at 2,722 feet. It has set records for having the world's highest restaurant, elevator installation and even vertical concrete plumbing.
Courtesy Joanne Huang
Kuala Lumpur Tower, Malaysia —
Revinson Martin was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he photographed the Kuala Lumpur Tower. Also known as the KL Tower, it was built in 1995 and is used for communication purposes. The tower also features a large antenna on top.
Courtesy Revinson Martin
Infocentrum De Balgstuw, the Netherlands —
The Infocentrum De Balgstuw is a floodgate in the Netherlands. These floodgates work as a barrier and are used in several parts of the country.
