Icon of Modernism: World's Most Awe-inspiring Glass Buildings

Crystal Palace, London, 1851 It was constructed in Hyde Park for the Great exhibition, later moved to Sydenham and destroyed by a fire in 1936.

Large Tropical house, Berlin, 1907 Built in 1907, the enormous tropical home has a cantilevered hall. It is located in the Berlin-Dahlem Botanical Garden. The lighter construction without double glazing is inspired by Dutch and Russian greenhouses.

Louvre Pyramid, Paris, 1989 The Louvre was smaller and less cheerful in the early 1980s than it is now. The original building's entrances were no longer adequate due to a rush.

The Dancing House, Prague, 1996 Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunic came up with the design. The connection of the glass front with a dancer leaning against her partner in a pleated dress gave rise to the moniker "dancing house".

Reichstag Dome, Berlin, 1999 Norman Forster worked with specialised engineers to build the Reichstag dome, which was built in 1999.

The Great Glass House, Carmarthenshire, 2000 The Great Greenhouse is tucked away in the Carmarthenshire National Botanic Garden in Wales. It was created by Forster and a partner and constructed in 2000.

ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum, Aarhus, 2004 Schmidt, Hammer & Lassen created the architecture for the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, which was completed in 2004. Itself is a synthesis of building and art.

30 St Mary Axe, London, 2004 Ken Shuttleworth and Norman Forster created the 41-story skyscraper 30 St Mary Axe in London for Swiss Re.

National Grand Theater of China, Beijing, 2007 The National Performing Arts Center is located in Beijing. It was designed by architect Paul Andreu and built-in 2007.

Sheesh Mahal, Jaipur, 1799 Often called the “Glass Palace”, this magnificent piece of architecture is one of the most beautiful palaces in the state of Rajasthan, and one of Jaipur’s most beautiful landmarks.