Humans have been building shelters for thousands of years. But did you know architecture was once an Olympic sport, or that there exists a wonder of the world that took over 2,000 years to build?
Click start to play today’s Word Search, where you can spot various architectural elements.
Here are interesting but somewhat bizarre facts from the world of architecture that may surprise you:
1. Architecture, an Olympic sport
For the first four decades of the modern Olympic games, 151 medals were awarded to people who were masters of the arts – from painting and sculpture, to literature and architecture. The founder of the International Olympic Committee, a Frenchman named Pierre de Coubertin, considered art to be an essential aspect of the competition. However, there was one key caveat – every submission had to be related to sports.
2. Islamic architecture was ahead of its time
Girih decoration – geometric patterns used in Islamic architecture and handicraft – originated from Syrian Roman knotwork patterns in the second century, and the artform flourished in the 15th century. In 2007, researchers found that Penrose tiling, which mathematician and physicist Sir Roger Penrose created in the 1970s by experimenting with a set of five differently shaped tiles, also shared many mathematical properties with the ancient Islamic artwork.
3. Empire State Building’s revenue
The Empire State Building in New York, US, is one of the most well-known skyscrapers in the world. But despite the fact that its 102-story structure holds 85 floors of office space, its biggest moneymaker is the view from its observation decks. According to US-based website Architecture Daily, in 2015, the building’s office space leases netted $104 million (Dh382 million), while its two observation decks generated $111 million (Dh407 million).
4. The saga of the Great Wall of China
The concept of creating a single, unified wall to protect China from invaders came about around the third century BC, when the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, decided to connect various fortifications around the country. Construction continued through the ages and it took over 2,600 years for the structure to be completed.
Which structure or architectural marvel stands out for you the most? Play today’s Word Search and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.
