In a slideshow of stunning photos by renowned photographer Iwan Baan, The New York Times shows the latest example of what spending an estimated $6 billion a year on architectural splendors will buy you.
In case you haven't heard, the small country of Azerbaijan (pop. 9,590,159) is collecting architectural treasures from some of the world's most well regarded architects. "Azerbaijan’s leaders want to make their capital city a destination for the rich and fabulous," writes Maya Lau. "The latest example: the Heydar Aliyev Center designed by Zaha Hadid, for whom it offered the rare opportunity of nearly total design freedom."
In this slideshow, see the stunning results.
Read the full story: Who’s Winning the Architecture Arms Race?
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
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Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
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Philadelphia to invest $2 billion into upgrading city airports as PHL places last in customer satisfaction
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The LA housing policies making developers turn away from the city
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New density bill would require 7 California cities to establish regional transit hubs
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FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
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Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
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City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello