Architecture to Visit in the U.S.A.

Updated: Jun 10

Some of the most amazing architecture is scattered throughout the United States.

I wanted to take a look at a few of these that you may want to see in person if you get a chance to travel to other states.

1. Chapel of the Holy Cross - Location: Sedona, Arizona

This facility was built in 1956. Marguerite Brunswig Staude commissioned the building after being inspired by the Empire State Building. While flying over the Coconino National Forest, Staude saw the perfect spot for the facility that she had been hoping to build for some time.

She secured permission from the government and enlisted the help of the architecture firm Ashen and Allen to develop plans for her proposed building. Architect August K. Strauts and Richard Hein, Project Architect worked on this project. The project took 18 months to complete and was awarded the 1957 AIA Award of Honor. The original price was only $300,000.

2. Spaceport America - Location: Sierra County, New Mexico

This is a stunning, futuristic-looking building that fits in beautifully into the desert landscape. On the website they say: "The Gateway to Space building – a signature feature of Spaceport America – serves as a home for our vehicles, a hub for astronaut preparation and the nerve center for flight operations. The building was designed by world-renowned, UK-based Foster + Partners – winners of an international architectural competition in 2007 for world’s first purpose built commercial spaceport." - https://www.virgingalactic.com/spaceport

3. Grace Farms - Location: New Canaan, Connecticut

Grace Farm, a Community Center in Connecticut, is designed to be a part of nature and welcomes visitors to focus on nature and spirit. Some of the rooms include a sanctuary, library, court, commons, and pavilion. Its organic shape is meant to be perceived as that of a winding river. The building is situated upon the hills of an approximately 80-acre piece of land. The structure is made up of steel and glass. The glass panel walls open up the structure to the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Handel Architects partnered with SANNA, to create this amazing design. This project was completed in 2015. For more information about the project visit:

https://architizer.com/blog/practice/materials/behind-the-building-grace-farms/

4. World's Largest Basket - Newark, Ohio

The world's largest basket is located in Newark, Ohio. The basket is in the form of a corporate building and was built as the headquarters of the Longaberger Basket Company. The company no longer inhabits this building and a recent announcement was made that the basket will become a hotel. If you love baskets, this is a destination that you will want to visit.

5. The United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel

Another amazing building in the U.S.A. is the United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel. You may have to wait on visiting this building until 2023. It is currently under renovation. The facility has 17 spires that reach into the sky. "Soaring 150 feet into the air against a Rocky Mountain backdrop, the United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel in Colorado Springs is a National Historic Landmark and one of Colorado’s most-visited manmade attractions. It was designed by Walter Netsch Jr. of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the architectural firm responsible for the planning and design of the entire academy, and is a recipient of the American Institute of Architects’ Twenty-Five-Year Award. Construction of the Cadet Chapel began in 1959 and was completed in 1962. It was dedicated in 1963."- https://artandtheology.org/2020/08/10/cadet-chapel-of-the-united-states-air-force-academy/