After revealing their designs for a stadium in Qiddiya City earlier this year, architecture firm Populous has released images for another FIFA-compliant stadium in Saudi Arabia. Aracmo Stadium is a new 47,000-seat venue that is scheduled to host games in the upcoming 2027 AFC Asian Cup and will be fully compliant with FIFA’s stadium requirements.

Located in Al Khobar, it's inspired by the city's position on the shores of the Arabian Gulf. This has translated into a façade of translucent overlapping sails forming a spiral motif. This form, reminiscent of flowing waves, allows light to penetrate the inside of the stadium via strategically placed openings. The renderings show how these openings give the stadium a glittering appearance, just hinting at the events occurring inside.

The spiral shapes continue within the venue, thanks to ramps and walkways that lead spectators to their seats. With a focus on inclusivity and visitor experience, all the seats are designed to have an uninterrupted view of the pitch. At the same time, a cooling system will keep players and patrons comfortable.

Aracmo Stadium, listed as a venue in the Saudi Arabia bid book for the 2034 World Cup, will sit at the heart of a mixed-use masterplan designed by Populous. All told, the stadium and its surroundings will take up approximately 800,000 square meters (roughly 8.6 million square feet) with a focus on community amenities. These include new sports facilities, retail areas, entertainment zones, and public realm spaces with an aim of providing an unparalleled sports and entertainment experience.

“The building’s open design invites the community to gather, celebrate, and create lasting memories, making it a symbol of Al Khobar’s rich heritage and vibrant future,” shares Shireen Hamdan, senior principal and general manager of Populous KSA. “The design will become iconic in the football world and will be synonymous with Saudi Arabia’s vision to further develop Al Khobar into a global sports destination, attracting visitors from around the world.”

Populous has revealed its design for Saudi Arabia's Aracmo Stadium, which will host games for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and will be FIFA-compliant.

The 47,000-seat stadium has a glittering design inspired by its location on the shores of the Arabian Gulf.

The venue will host sporting and entertainment events and is designed for the comfort of spectators.

Aracmo Stadium is just one of the structures being built as Saudi Arabia looks to host the 2034 World Cup.

Populous: Website | Facebook | Instagram

All images © Populous.

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READ: Glittering Design for Saudi Arabia’s New Stadium and Potential World Cup Venue

Shitennō-ji around 1880 (Photo: Kusakabe Kimbei – The New York Public Library Digital Collections via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Japan is home to some of the longest-running businesses in the world. But none have run longer than Kongō Gumi. This construction company was founded in 578 CE. At the time, Japan's Prince Shōtoku was looking to build a Buddhist temple, but as the country was mainly Shinto, there were no carpenters with that skill set. So, he called upon miyadaiku (carpenters with training in building Buddhist temples) from a Buddhist kingdom that is now Korea. One of these carpenters, Kongō Shigetsu, formed the company and the rest is history.

Not only did they construct that initial temple, Osaka's Shitennō-ji, but they were also responsible for building Osaka Castle. Both of these structures kept the family-run business busy, as they were destroyed by fires and other natural disasters several times and constantly needed reconstruction. They were also kept busy as Buddhism spread across the country, causing a boom in the construction of Buddhist temples. But that's not the only reason for Kongō Gumi's success.

Their workers were highly skilled, with apprentices having to work for 10 years to hone their craft. To be considered master carpenters, they would need to toil for yet another decade. The company also organized its workers into kumi, independent groups with specific skill sets who work together on projects. This tradition continues today and allows the workers to push each other and to share knowledge.

Kongō Gumi has also remained flexible in the face of challenges that will naturally occur during a 1,400-year business. During World War II, the company pivoted to building coffins as temple construction ground to a halt. They also showed a willingness to incorporate new technology while retaining traditional building methods. For instance, after the Meiji Restoration, they began incorporating concrete into their designs. Later, they would pioneer the use of CAD (computer-aided design) for temples.

Perhaps most importantly, they took the role of head carpenter, who was the head of the company, quite seriously. Tradition dictated that the eldest son be named head carpenter, but there were several times that Kongō Gumi took steps to preserve the company if that person wasn't up to the task. If there was no suitable male heir, they would search for a competent match and bring them in as a son-in-law to both maintain the family name and the company.

Once, a female family member was even brought in to run things. During the post-World War I Shōwa Depression, when the 37th leader died by suicide due to financial declines, his widow Yoshie was named head carpenter. She showed remarkable skill, expanding the company and lobbying the government to allow them to produce coffins to survive. She also separated managerial positions from carpentry positions, which helped the firm flourish.

Until 2006, Kongō Gumi operated as an independent entity. That year, it became a subsidiary of the Takamatsu Construction Group. This has allowed Kongō Gumi to tighten its business model while still using the traditional construction techniques that made it famous. According to a 2023 business profile, the company has 110 employees, up from 80 when it was acquired.

It still brings in about $38 million a year, which can fluctuate depending on when large temple projects arise (the company also takes on residential and office projects). While the Kongō family is no longer involved in management, there is still one family member with the title of sho daiku (head carpenter). As the daughter of the 40th head of the family, she is the 41st head carpenter.

Japanese construction company Kongō Gumi is the world's longest continuous-running business and was founded in 578 CE.

Kongō Yoshie, the 38th master carpenter of Kongō Gumi and employees, 1930. (Photo: 撮影者　不明 via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

The company recently turned 1,446 years old and upholds traditional methods for building Buddhist temples.

h/t: [Open Culture]

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While Portugal is located on the sea, that doesn't necessarily make it convenient for those living in the capital to get in a good swim. That's why two Lisbon-based architecture firms, X Atelier and Atelier Baum, have joined forces to create Loop Pool Tejo. This urban swimming pool transforms a dilapidated pier on the Tagus River into a much-needed refuge during hot summer days.

The firms were looking to provide an alternative to Lisbon's nearby beaches, which can take hours to reach due to traffic and the few overcrowded open-air pools in the city. The Tagus, the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula, is swimmable and wide enough to handle a large pool structure.

The project calls for the redevelopment of the Braço de Prata pier, transforming it into a link with the river. The circular pool takes on a sculptural form with two layers that gently slope up and down. These small slopes provide areas of shade below and a solarium and amphitheater above.

Loop Pool Tejo's unique design also has an entry point directly onto the water. This means the community will have new access to the waterway for activities like kayaking or paddleboarding. The highest point of the loop acts as a diving platform, which the firms say is intended to “promote a youthful and fun atmosphere.”

The firms note that shipping containers already located at the pier could easily be transformed into changing rooms and lockers in a conscious effort to reuse materials.

Self-filtering, the pool represents a new opportunity for the community to engage with its natural surroundings and to bring the river into focus as a community space. The firms have opened an Instagram account for Loop Pool Tejo to gather public feedback and will then present their findings to Lisbon City Hall in an effort to make the urban swimming pool a reality.

Two Lisbon-based architecture firms have proposed a contemporary urban swimming pool in place of a dilapidated pier.

Loop Pool Tejo will provide a much-needed swimming option in Lisbon and connect the community with the Tagus River.

The pool's sculptural form works on multiple levels, allowing for activities such as diving, paddle boarding, sunbathing, and swimming.

X Atelier: Website | Instagram
Atelier Baum: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by X Atelier.

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Cape Town-based artist Michael Chandler gave Miami boutique Cult Gaia a distinct look with a hand-painted ceramic tile mural covering the store's façade. Inspired by the owner's Persian heritage, the mural has Tree of Life theme and spans 1,800 tiles.

Chandler worked on this commission in his studio, Chandler House, mapping each tile so that they could be reassembled easily in Miami. The blue hue of the tiles hearkens back to the decoration of Persian mosques and is also reminiscent of the azulejos that decorate many structures in Portugal.

Once the mural theme was decided, Chandler was given creative reign over how the piece took shape. This led to a satisfying creative process that allowed Chandler to follow his artistic instincts.

“I really enjoyed watching the tree motif grow,” he tells My Modern Met. “I began with the thick tree trunk that originated from the ground, and then, with each tile, slowly thinned out and branched into the finest of branches at the tips of the mural.

“As I painted the tree, a range of birds, flowers and other forms emerged that I had no idea were inside me. It was a wonderful, and exciting process to see what would appear each day.”

Given that the final mural would only come together as a whole once in Miami, Chandler had the difficult job of ensuring that the composition would remain balanced. Now that the piece is installed, it's clear that Chandler's thoughtful choices have come together beautifully. The darker areas of the trunk anchor the mural but don't overwhelm the piece, and the animals scattered across its branches add interest without drawing too much focus.

Chandler applauds designers Jess and Jonathan Nahon of Sugarhouse Design and Architecture for thinking of his work and bringing him on board.

“I hope people who are working with spaces and design take away a little more courage to do things on this level of artistry,” he shares. “The world doesn’t need another gray building. Imagine more buildings were ‘artworks?’ What a wonderful world we would live in!”

Pleased to see his work in such a public setting where it can brighten someone's day, Chandler is excited about the direction his work is taking and hopes to continue pushing the creative possibilities of his work with ceramics.

Cape Town-based artist Michael Chandler gave Miami boutique Cult Gaia a distinct look with a ceramic tile mural covering the store's façade.

Chandler hand-painted 1,800 tiles for the Tree of Life-themed mural.

“I hope people who are working with spaces and design take away a little more courage to do things on this level of artistry.”

“The world doesn’t need another gray building.”

Michael Chandler: Website | Facebook | Instagram

All images by Kris Tamburello. My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Chandler House.

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Photo: Juan Navarro/Above Summit

Polly Pocket was one of the most iconic toys of the 90s. Its tiny size made it perfect for playing anywhere, while details of each set allowed kids to see themselves in fun situations, such as dressing up, camping, or hosting a sleepover with friends. Turning this dream into a life-sized reality, Airbnb has launched a Polly Pocket home that guests can book for a night this September.

The Polly Pocket Airbnb home is inspired by the ‘90s Slumber Party Fun compact. The vintage-themed, two-story house is full of nostalgic details, as well as packed with cleverly designed items to relive all your favorite playdates from yesteryear. Once you've explored every nook and cranny and did all your favorite activities, you'll retire to a charming tent to sleep under the stars. As if the design weren't cool enough, the whole structure glows in the dark.

Among the things to do at the Polly Pocket Airbnb home are getting ready at Polly’s vanity, stuffed with nostalgic hair and nail accessories of her favorite colors; raiding the fridge to have a picnic with every snack your 90s heart can dream of; try on all of her gummy-textured wardrobe to create fun outfits; make charm bracelets for you and your friends; and watch a movie with your friends in Polly's spacious living room.

The experience marks Polly Pocket's 35th anniversary. “I can’t wait for you to visit and help celebrate my birthday in my most epic compact ever,” Polly said in a statement. “Let’s have some serious slumber party fun in my hometown of Littleton, where we make the ordinary extraordinary. There’s adventure to be had from my closet full of nostalgic fashion fun to the surprises I’ve left hidden around the compact. The fun is endless!”

As a nod to her debut in 1989, guests can request to book one of three one-night stays occurring September 12 to 14 for four guests each, at $89 per person. The Polly Pocket home is located in Littleton, Massachusetts, so guests should be able to travel to and from there. For those unable to book the stay, they can also visit Polly Pocket for one of the 21 daytime experiences available for up to 12 guests from September 16 to October 6. If you're interested, make sure to submit your request at airbnb.com/pollypocket before 11:59 p.m. PT on August 28.

Airbnb has launched a life-sized Polly Pocket home that guests can book for a night this September.

Photo: Kelsey McClellan

Photo: Kelsey McClellan

Photo: Kelsey McClellan

The Polly Pocket Airbnb home is inspired by the ‘90s Slumber Party Fun compact, and is full of nostalgic details.

Photo: Kelsey McClellan

Photo: Elizabeth Renstrom

Photo: Kelsey McClellan

The experience marks Polly Pocket's 35th anniversary.

Photo: Juan Navarro/Above Summit

“I can’t wait for you to visit and help celebrate my birthday in my most epic compact ever,” Polly said in a statement.

Photo: Juan Navarro/Above Summit

Among the things to do at the Polly Pocket Airbnb home are getting ready at Polly’s vanity, stuffed with nostalgic hair and nail accessories of her favorite colors.

Photo: Kelsey McClellan

Once you've explored every nook and cranny and did all your favorite activities, you'll retire to a charming tent to sleep under the stars.

Photo: Juan Navarro/Above Summit

Photo: Juan Navarro/Above Summit

Photo: Kelsey McClellan

To book this experience, make sure to submit your request before 11:59 p.m. PT on August 28.

Photo: Elizabeth Renstrom

Airbnb: Website

All images via Airbnb.

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READ: Airbnb Unveils a Life-Sized ‘90s-Inspired Polly Pocket Home and You Can Book Your Stay Now

Aesthetically ornate and conceptually transcendent, the Gothic style has become one of the world's most distinctive architectural movements. Though it originated in the Middle Ages, the one-of-a-kind genre continues to captivate today, as evident in some of Europe's most beautiful buildings.

While the Gothic approach appears to be a novel form of architecture, its signature style has been shaped by different influences. Here, we explore the genre, looking closely at its rich history, defining features, and most well-known examples.

What is Gothic Architecture?

Gothic architecture is a European style of architecture that values height and exhibits an intricate and delicate aesthetic. Though its roots are French, the Gothic approach can be found in churches, cathedrals, and other similar buildings in Europe and beyond.

History

During the Middle Ages, a new style of architecture emerged in Europe. Initially referred to as Opus Francigenum, or “French Work,” this architectural genre dominated European tastes—namely, that of the Roman Catholic Church—until the Renaissance, when Italian writers created the word we know as “Gothic.”

The Gothic style evolved from Romanesque architecture, a medieval aesthetic characterized by arches, vaulted ceilings, and small stained glass windows.

Photo: Goldi64 via Wikimedia Commons (GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0)

Gothic architecture adopted and adapted these Romanesque elements to produce a new style of building that featured exaggerated arches, increased vaulting, and enlarged windows. In addition to reinterpreting these characteristics, however, Gothic architecture also abandoned one key feature of Romanesque architecture: thick walls. To construct taller, more delicate buildings with thinner walls, Gothic architects employed flying buttresses for support. These stone structures allowed architects to create sky-high cathedrals and churches that evoked ethereality and reached toward the heavens.

Classic Elements

Photo: Adrian Farwell via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

While the Gothic style can vary according to location, age, and type of building, it is often characterized by 5 key architectural elements: large stained glass windows, pointed arches, rib vaults, flying buttresses, and ornate decoration.

Large Stained Glass Windows

While stained glass windows are found in many places of worship, they are particularly prevalent in Gothic cathedrals. Featuring meticulously cut colored glass, these kaleidoscopic windows—which are typically either tall and arched ‘lancet' windows or round ‘rose' windows—are larger than those found in other types of churches. This allowed them to let in as much natural light as possible.

Photo: Jean-Christophe BENOIST via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

Gothic stained glass windows also frequently feature tracery, a decorative type of stone support, and detailed scenes from Biblical stories.

Photo: WikiImages

Pointed Arches

A primary feature of many religious structures, ample archways can be found in most Gothic churches and cathedrals. Rather than the wide, rounded arches characteristic of Romanesque buildings, however, architects working in the Gothic style adapted the tall, thin pointed arches found in Islamic architecture.

Photo: WikiImages

This silhouette accentuated each cathedral's height, symbolically pointed toward the sky and accommodated similarly-shaped vaulting.

Rib Vaults

To incorporate higher ceilings and taller windows into their designs, Gothic architects utilized a new method of structural support called rib vaulting. Typically covering the nave of a church, rib vaulting involves the use of intersecting barrel vaults—arches placed parallel to one another to support a rounded roof.

Photo: NakNakNak

In addition to showcasing a more decorative aesthetic than traditional barrel vaults, these crisscrossed constructions offer increased support for the sky-high buildings.

Flying Buttresses

On top of these advanced vaulting techniques, Gothic architects employed another unique method of structural support: flying buttresses. These projecting stone structures reinforced the buildings by redistributing the weight of the heavy roof to a lower, more solid level.

Photo: Rodney Bamford

Flying buttresses ensured the cathedrals' integrity so that architects did not need to sacrifice the thin walls and large windows distinctive of the Gothic style.

Ornate Decoration

A final feature found in Gothic architecture is the presence of ornate decorative elements. These include embellished colonnades and colonettes, sculptural moldings, statues of saints and historical figures, pinnacles and spires, and gargoyles, grotesque figures that double as water spouts.

Photo: pixajopari

Notable Buildings Built in the Gothic Style

Gothic buildings can be found in cities all over France and across Europe. Notable sites in France are Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral, Chartres Cathedral, the Basilica of Saint-Denis, Amiens Cathedral, and Reims Cathedral.

Basilica of Saint-Denis

Photo: Thomas Clouet via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

This medieval abbey church underwent a dramatic transformation that helped define Gothic architecture. Under the watchful eye of Abbot Suger, portions of the church were rebuilt in the mid-12th century. This included the west façade, where the old building was demolished to make way for a new, innovative piece of architecture that used cutting-edge techniques.

Vertical buttresses divided up the façade, while large window arches allowed for ornate sculptural decoration. This was a huge departure from Romanesque façades and is the reason why Saint-Denis is known as the first Gothic building.

Notre-Dame de Paris

Photo: Peter Haas via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

When most people think of Gothic architecture, Notre Dame is the first church that comes to mind. From its enormous rose windows to its flying buttresses and gargoyles, the cathedral exemplifies the Gothic style at its finest. Construction on the church began in 1163 and its plans were influenced by the revolutionary new architecture seen in Saint-Denis.

It was mostly completed by 1260 after flying buttresses were added to support the weight of the roof. Renovations and reconstruction have continued throughout the history of the church, which is one of Paris' most visited sites.  An unfortunate fire in 2019 destroyed the spire and much of the roof. Reconstruction is ongoing with the building now having been secured. Officials announced that the church is set to reopen to the public on December 8, 2024. The restoration period is scheduled to end on June 8, 2025, enabling the church to be fully prepared in time for the Feast of Pentecost.

Chartres Cathedral

Photo: guy_dugas

Due to the many fires that ravaged the building, Chartres Cathedral is an interesting mix of early and late Gothic. For instance, on the north façade, the right spire was created in a plainer, early Gothic style that contrasts heavily with the left spire built in the 16th century. That spire was created in a Flamboyant style, complete with ornate bar tracery and extra sculpture. Chartres has three façades which are filled with hundreds of sculptures that tell biblical narratives.

The Cathedral was spared both during the French Revolution and World War II thanks to the intervention of townspeople and an American colonel who pushed back against orders to destroy it.

Reims Cathedral

Photo: bodoklecksel via Wikimedia Commons (GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0)

A beautiful example of the High Gothic, the current iteration of Reims Cathedral was built when a fire destroyed the early Gothic structure. In its place went a church that took Gothic to its limits. The west façade has incredibly deep portals that allow for a complex sculptural program. This sculpture would have allowed illiterate churchgoers to visually see what they were unable to read. Above the central portal is a large rose window with thin tracery. The level above the rose window is reserved for the Gallery of Kings, which is made up of 56 statues that stand 15 feet high. The interior has innovative four-part rib vaults that allow for a more uniform appearance while increasing the height.

While Reims Cathedral was largely spared during the French Revolution, it underwent extensive damage in World War I after occupying German troops used it to house their wounded soldiers. Costly renovations in the 20th century have restored it to its former glory.

Amiens Cathedral

Photo: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

Built over the course of just 50 years—a relatively short time in Gothic architecture—the Amiens Cathedral is a wonderful example of the High Gothic. It represents the apex of trying to reach for the heavens and stands as France's largest cathedral. To put things in perspective, two Notre Dame Cathedrals could fit inside Amiens.

Construction began in 1220 after a fire destroyed the earlier Romanesque cathedral. The church is particularly known for the quality of its sculpture on the main façade.

Gothic Architecture in Europe

The Gothic style wasn't limited to just France. This type of ornate architecture spread across Europe, finding a foothold in Italy, Germany, Spain, and England. Though each country gave the style its own twist, international Gothic still retains the basic elements found in France.

Milan Cathedral

Photo: Marco Nürnberger via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

The long history of the Milan Cathedral spans nearly 600 years, with construction beginning in 1386 and finishing in 1965. It's a wonderful example of how Gothic architecture transformed outside of France. The building is most well-known for its façade, which has over 90 gargoyles, 135 spires, and about 3,400 sculptures.

Westminster Abbey

Photo: Jdforrester via Wikimedia Commons (GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC BY 1.0)

London's iconic Westminster Abbey took its current form under the eye of Henry III. He initiated construction in 1245 and had the abbey church built in an Anglo-French Gothic style. It includes all of the classic Gothic features, including flying buttresses, rib vaults, rose windows, and pointed arches.

The church, which has been the home to every English and British monarch since 1066 continues to play a culturally significant role in Britain.

St. Stephen's Cathedral

Photo: Bwag via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Located in Vienna, St. Stephen's Cathedral is a combination of Romanesque and Gothic styles. It features an impressive spire that dominates the skyline, but is most well-known for its colorful roof. Covered in 230,000 glazed tiles, the roof has a zig-zag pattern and a mosaic of a double-headed eagle. The cathedral also has 22 bells, 18 altars, and a massive stone pulpit that is a fine example of Gothic sculpture.

Seville Cathedral

Photo: Dubaduba~commonswiki via Wikimedia Commons (GNU Free Documentation License)

Spain's Seville Cathedral is not only the largest Gothic church in the world but the largest cathedral in the world. Completed in the early 16th century, it's known for its immense size, ornate tracery stonework, and the use of a former mosque minaret as a bell tower.

Legacy

As both beautiful examples of age-old architecture and places of worship, many Gothic cathedrals remain popular destinations for tourists and pilgrims alike.

Photo: 3dman_eu

Additionally, given the spaciousness and captivating aesthetic of these buildings, many contemporary artists utilize Gothic cathedrals as the sites for their work, including projection art, multimedia installations, and interactive light shows.

This article has been edited and updated.

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+ POOL Floating Filtration Research Platform and Rendering at Pier 35.
Left: + POOL water filtration unit demonstration project at Pier 35, 2024. Engineered by Arup.
Right: + POOL rendering at Pier 35. Designed by Family New York & Playlab, Inc . Image by Luxigon.

Rumors of a plus-shaped public pool coming to New York's waterways have been “floating” around for quite some time, but now the prototype has finally made a splash. Almost 15 years ago, non-profit organization +POOL envisioned a self-filtering floating pool on New York’s rivers that would allow everyone to access clean, swimmable water. Now, the small team of engineers have just secured a final location at Pier 35 on the East River, near Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

+POOL co-founder and architect Dong-Ping Wong and fellow designers, Archie Lee Coates IV, Jeffrey Franklin, and Oana Stanescu, first launched the idea for the floating pool on Kickstarter in 2015. They raised over $40,000 in just seven days, allowing them to test their filtration system at Brooklyn Bridge Park in Summer 2011. Since then, the team has expanded their project with a new Kickstarter campaign, additional funding, and further testing. The project is now in its final testing phase, meaning the +POOL could potentially open to the public by Summer 2025.

In 2017, +POOL launched a successful “Swim in the River” campaign, gathering over 10,000 signatures through an online petition advocating for safe river access. Hundreds of New Yorkers, ranging from 5 to 85 years old, wrote letters to the mayor backing +POOL. Their voices helped rally the support they needed to move forward.

Now, New York State and +POOL are collaborating to finance a three-month water filtration demonstration that kicked off earlier this month. A smaller, 2,000-square-foot pilot version of the pool has also been put in place, allowing the +POOL team to continue testing.

“Our prototype is in the water,” they say. “Today we are testing our Filtration Pilot so that tomorrow we can all swim freely in clean river water for the first time in a century.”

Once it's up and running, the 9,000-square-foot pool will filter a million gallons of New York City's river water each day. The pool will actually purify the water it's floating in, thanks to a unique system with three filtration layers and a final disinfection step, making the water completely safe to swim in.

The +POOL design not only helps clean up New York State's waters but also makes urban swimming accessible to everyone, no matter their age or background. There are sections for lap swimming, lounging, watersports, and kids’ activities. The configurations work on their own, can be combined to form an Olympic-length pool, or fully opened up into a massive 9,000-square-foot pool.

Check out renderings of the floating pool below, designed by by Family New York & Playlab, Inc, and find out more about the project on the +POOL website.

New York City’s self-filtering +POOL is almost ready to open at pier 35, near Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

+ POOL Rendering. Designed by Family New York & Playlab, Inc .

The project, now supported and funded by New York State, is currently in its final testing phase.

+ POOL Rendering. DDesigned by Family New York & Playlab, Inc . Image Family New York.

Once it’s up and running, the 9,000-square-foot pool will filter a million gallons of New York City's river water each day.

+ POOL Rendering at Pier 35. Designed by Family New York & Playlab, Inc . Image by Luxigon, 2021.

The innovative floating pool makes urban swimming accessible to all New Yorkers, no matter their background.

+ POOL Rendering. Designed by Family New York & Playlab, Inc . Image Family New York.

+ POOL Rendering. Designed by Family New York & Playlab, Inc . Image Family New York.

+ POOL: Website | Instagram | Facebook | X

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by + POOL.

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We all know you can find almost anything on Amazon, but did you know that includes a house? A look at the online shopping giant reveals that they actually have a fairly wide range of kits and prefabricated tiny homes for sale. What could be better than getting the tiny house of your dreams with free shipping?

From basic shipping container homes to rustic cabins, prices range from just $7,000 to more than $40,000, allowing you to select the kit that fits your budget. A quick search for “garden house” or “tiny home” will pull up most options, with these tiny dwellings perfect for guest houses or extra office space if you aren't looking to permanently downsize.

It's worth noting that many of the kits are sold through third-party vendors, and most will need you to get inventive when it comes to a bathroom and installing insulation—but isn't improvising part of the fun with a tiny home? You'll also want to check local building codes, as laws vary state by state about acceptable structures. Once you've done your research, it's just click and go.

Let's take a look at some of the best finds on Amazon so you can start living out your tiny house fantasies.

Barn Estate Group | $42,000+

Double Story Flat Pack House

Customers rave about this incredible two-story house, which comes in customizable 20-foot and 40-foot configurations. The kit comes with doors and windows and, thanks to its foldable nature, is easy to construct and move. The 40-foot model has room for three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom spread across two levels. It comes with essential amenities like a fully equipped bathroom and kitchen cabinets, ensuring a comfortable living experience. One customer writes, “I’ve never quite known life until I’ve owned this building. I feel like a landlord, farmer, and Minecraft advocate all in one little tornado-proof cube.”

CPD35 | $7,000

Shipping Container Home

On the other end of the spectrum, if you don't want to spend a lot and don't need much space, you can get this 40-foot basic container home for just $7,000. The one-bedroom tiny home with windows and doors comes pre-assembled for fast installation. If you have a little imagination and DIY know-how to fix up the interior, it's a great deal.

MZ-COS | $33,850

MZ-COS Two-Story Prefabricated Tiny House

If you just want to turn the key and go, this shipping container house may be for you. This two-story villa, comes with a fully equipped bathroom and kitchen cabinets. Composed of two 20-foot shipping containers, there is plenty of room for a flexible layout whether you are looking for extra bedrooms or a small office space.

Allwood | $11,190

Allwood Arlanda XL

This small, contemporary home is the perfect solution if you are looking for a sleek, modern design. The 227-square-foot (193-square-foot interior floor area) tiny home works as a guest house, home office, or vacation getaway. Large windows flood the space with light, and this is an easy DIY project to assemble. The downside? With just one large open area, there's no bathroom, so think wisely about how you'd use it and where you'd go to freshen up. On the bright side, this little home can be yours for just over $11,o00. And it does come with an interior wall, so you can carve out a private sleeping area or create a bathroom space by adding subfloor plumbing.

S.E.Q. | $28,500

Two-Story Prefab Container House

The 20-foot expandable design has enough space for two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Pre-installed electrical and plumbing are just some of the perks of purchasing this prefabricated home. It comes equipped with all windows and a door, as well as bathroom cabinets, a water heater, a toilet, a sink, a mirror, and a shower area. The kitchen is also equipped with cabinets and set up with both hot and cold water pipes.

Allwood | $9,750

Allwood Sommersby Garden House

This tiny house kit has a decidedly mid-century modern vibe. At 174 square feet, it's small but simple, with a completely open floor plan. While this means you have to figure out the bathroom situation, it still makes an ideal guest house or hangout space. With windows covering almost the entire facade, light floods the space, giving it an indoor/outdoor feel. And, at under $10,000, it's a great option if you're sticking to a budget.

Allwood | $9,400

Allwood Kit Cabin Chloe

How small can you go? At just over 100 square feet, the Chloe cabin is tiny but full of charm. Windows on three walls allow plenty of light to come through, and it takes two adults just 9 hours to put together the home. The downside? There's not much space for full-time living, but at $9,400 it's a great option for a party of one.

Allwood | $11,990

Allwood Claudia Garden House

Think of the Claudia Garden House as the bigger sister to the Chloe Cabin Kit. Boasting 209 square feet, the Nordic wood structure is meant as a pool house or a guest house, or for those looking for a little separation between their home and office. Like Chloe, it doesn’t take long to assemble this tiny home—two adults can do it in one full day of work. You'll have to pay a little more for this kit and spend nearly $12,000.

EMONIA | $17,499+

Foldable Expandable Container Tiny Home

This prefab tiny home comes in varying sizes. It's available as a simple shed, but also as a tiny house with one to three bedrooms. Whether you go for the smaller, 20-foot model with one bedroom or the biggest, 40-foot model with three bedrooms, they're all designed to be weather proof with its wood-imitating exterior. There are also L-shaped cabinets, a water heater, toilet, sink, mirror, a private shower area, and prefabricated U.S. standard electrical and plumbing systems inside the container house

Millennial Homes | $26,990+

Modern Luxury Home with Pitch Roof

If you yearn for a traditional house design, this might be the tiny home for you. This brown-white tiny house comes in 20-foot, 30-foot, and 40-foot models. They each come with a premium kitchen style with an L-shaped cabinet including a sink and pre-installed plumbing hook-ups, ready for immediate use. They are also pre-installed with lighting, electrical wirings, U.S. standard sockets, and utility hook-ups.

Generic | $12,999

One Bedroom Container Home

If you are single or a couple looking for a small container home, look no further. This 20-foot one-bedroom tiny home might fit the bill. It is wired for electricity, has a galvanized security door, and sliding UPVC profiled windows with double glass for added security and insulation. The roof is also insulated to keep you cozy, and the interior has space for a small kitchen and separate bathroom.

Hashmi Home | $19,998+

Luxury Three-Bedroom Container Home

This container home has a spacious setup with room for two or three bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom, and a kitchen. It comes wired for electricity and with basic plumbing. Available in 20-foot, 30-foot, and 40-foot models, you'll easily be able to find something to meet your needs.

Allwood | $49,990

Allwood Avalon Cabin Kit

Looking for a tiny home with a porch? The Avalon by Allwood features a 540-square-foot space that's divided like a conventional home. The plan allows for a bedroom, living room, kitchen, bath, and office. There's even a deck and sleeping loft. At a cool $49,990, it’s not the cheapest option available, but considering you can make this a comfortable home, it’s a steal.

All images via Amazon.

This article has been edited and updated. Prices were accurate at time of publishing.

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To complement the global innovations on display at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kengo Kuma and Associates has created a stunning design for the Qatar Pavilion. Inspired by Japanese joinery and traditional boats used in Qatar, it is one of the most striking national pavilion designs to be made public.

The elegant pavilion rises in a form that recalls the dhow. Historically, this traditional sailboat was used as a trade vessel in Qatar. By incorporating the shape of its sails, the design pays homage to Qatar's strategic position on the sea. In a beautiful show of unity, the wood structure is a nod to Japanese tradition and reinforces the links between these two nations.

Construction on the nearly 13,000-square-foot pavilion began in April. The interior will house exhibitions that highlight Qatar's progress toward the goals outlined in Qatar National Vision 2030 and investment opportunities as it diversifies its economy.

Expo 2025 will take place over six months and bring together people and innovations from around the globe. The event is estimated to have around 500 participants from 150 countries, who will display the best their countries have to offer under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”

Kengo Kuma and Associates has revealed its design for the Qatar Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.

The elegant design is influenced by the shape of the dhow, a sailing vessel commonly used in the Indian Ocean.

The wood structure also incorporates traditional Japanese joinery.

Kengo Kuma and Associates: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Kengo Kuma and Associates.

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READ: Kengo Kuma’s Design for Qatar Pavilion Influenced by Traditional Ships

Throughout history, people have fabricated shelters that fit their surroundings. With a universal set of criteria in mind—including access to tools, availability of materials, and type of climate—individuals from all over the world constantly reinterpret, reimagine, and redefine the concept of home.

To many of us, a home is a four-walled fixture on a permanent foundation. But to others, it is a snowy sanctuary, a hidden cave, or even a floating boat. Here, we explore these different types of houses in order to understand how and why such a wide range of shelters exist across the globe.

Let's take a tour of different types of houses around the world.

Cave Homes (Matmata, Tunisia) 

Photo: Ansgar Walk (photo taken by de:Benutzer:wotan) via Wikimeda Commons (GFDL, CC BY-SA 2.0 DE)

In Matmata, Tunisia, cave homes—ancient abodes that have been carved out of sandstone—keep people comfortable all year long. Situated around a central pit and connected by a network of passageways, these one-of-a-kind properties provide protection from the North African sun and desert winds.

Today, many cave homes around the world have been turned into unique cave hotels for tourists to stay in.

Rondavels/Round Homes (Lesotho, South Africa)

Photo: Rich Tracy via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

In South Africa, rondavels—rounded, single-cell huts—are favored for their ability to be built from natural, locally sourced materials. Like igloos, rondavels were traditionally used as temporary hunting lodgings.

Today, round houses are built and bought by people interested in saving both space and energy.

Stilt Houses (Vietnam, Southeast Asia)

Photo: Jos Dielis via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

In Southeast Asia, where heavy rain is prevalent, you can find communities of stilt houses. These wooden houses are raised up on planks in order to protect their inhabitants and their possessions from flooding. They're also designed to sit just high enough to keep safe from invading vermin—namely, snakes and insects. Additionally, their roofs are sloped, in order to allow rainwater to easily stream down without damaging the property.

Though they're primarily built in Southeast Asia today, stilt houses are also present in the western hemisphere where homes are faced with hurricane damage. These traditional houses are thought to have first been used (in the West) by indigenous tribes of the Americas.

Yurts (Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia)

Photo: I, Ondřej Žváček via Wikimedia Commons (GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC BY 2.5)

Yurts or gers—portable tents traditionally composed of animal skins—have been used by Central Asian nomads for centuries. While, in the past, these structures were intended as temporary shelters, contemporary construction methods and access to new materials such as canvas have allowed them to be used as permanent housing.

Underground Houses (Coober Pedy, Australia)

Photo: Nachoman-au via Wikimedia Commons (GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 )

In addition to being the “opal capital of the world,” Coober Pedy, a South Australian town, is renowned for its “dugouts,” special shelters built beneath the Earth's surface.

According to Smithsonian Magazine, these unique underground homes act as an oasis from the outback's heat (summer temperatures can reach a sweltering 113 degrees Fahrenheit) and occasional dust storms. For this reason, half of the town's residents—as well as a museum, a church, and even a hotel—have opted for this underground lifestyle.

Igloos (Baffin Island, Canada)

Photo: Ansgar Walk via Wikimedia Commons (GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC BY 2.5)

Though not as prevalent as they once were, igloos are used by outdoors enthusiasts as temporary shelters. Skillfully constructed out of insulating, compressed snow, the icy accommodations keep dwellers warm by blocking harsh winds and housing a small fire.

Today, igloos—which are deeply connected to Inuit history and culture—can be found in Baffin Island, Canada, and other snowy, North American locations.

“Honai” Homes (Indonesia)

Honai is the traditional house of the mountainous community in central Papua, Indonesia. The main, rounded body of the simple abodes are hand-built from wooden plank, and the interior walls are insulated with woven bamboo. The straw roofs can often be substituted with reeds or palm leaves. A typical honai home is approximately 4-6 meters in diameter and 5-7 meters in height. Despite their small size, they are usually occupied by 5-10 people.

Hanok Houses (Korea)

A hanok is a traditional Korean house that originates from the 14th century during the Joseon Dynasty. Culturally, architects would have considered the positioning and style of the house in relation to its surroundings, the land, and even the seasons. The ideal hanok house is built with a mountain in the back and a river in front.

Built from locally sourced materials, they consist of tiled roofs, wooden beams, and flooring built in the Ondol style, allowing the floors to be heated by smoke during winter and cooled in the summer. One of the most distinguishing features of the hanok home is the slightly curved roof line, sometimes revealing ornate designs on the underside.

Cape Dutch Architecture (South Africa)

Primarily found in the Western Cape of South Africa, Cape Dutch-style homes were built to resemble the townhouses of Amsterdam. They appear in locations where the Dutch settled during the 17th century, but many are still used in historical towns such as Stellenbosch, Paarl, Swellendam, Tulbagh, and Graaff-Reinet.

They are characterized by ornate rounded gables, whitewashed walls, wooden shutters, and thatched roofs.

Tiny Houses (Portland, Oregon) 

Photo: Tammy (Weekend with Dee) via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Today, many aspiring homeowners are foregoing standard-sized housing for less spacious alternatives. Communities dedicated to tiny homes have popped up across the United States, with Portland, Oregon, at its epicenter.

Easy to erect and relatively inexpensive, these small houses are perfect for people interested in downsizing.

Victorian and Edwardian Houses (San Francisco, California) 

Photo: Tobias Kleinlercher via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

In addition to its hilly geography, San Francisco is known for its Victorian and Edwardian houses. Featuring bay windows and ornate decoration, most of these colorful dwellings were built in the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Today, they can be found all over the city.

Adobe Buildings (Acoma, New Mexico)

Photo: Beyond My Ken (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons (GFDL or CC BY-SA 4.0)

Situated on a mesa, Acoma Pueblo is a historic site in New Mexico. The Acoma people have lived on the site for 2,000 years and began to build ladder-accessible homes out of adobe bricks and dried mud back in the 17th century.

Today, roughly 300 of these mudbrick homes exist in Acoma.

“Gingerbread” Cottages (Martha's Vineyard, USA)

Photo: Michele Schaffer (DSCF0625) via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Charmingly named after the quaint Christmas candy tradition, the gingerbread houses of Martha's Vineyard look like they're straight from a sugary-sweet storybook.

According to Around The World L, these wooden, traditional homes popped up in the late 19th century. Since then, they have creatively been characterized as “Carpenter’s Gothic” due to their ornate decoration.

Canal Boats (London, United Kingdom)

Photo: Oast House Archive via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

While, like the rest of the world, most Londoners live in homes built on land, some have found that life on the canal floats their boats—literally!

Regent's Canal—a waterway that spans nearly nine miles of the city—is home to a community of canal boats. A less expensive alternative to London's pricey flats and homes, houseboats are becoming an increasingly popular way to live and work in the capital. But before you pick up and move into one of these “narrowboats,” make sure you're on board with the nomadic lifestyle; local law states that canal-dwellers cannot “remain in the same neighborhood for more than 14 days.”

Trulli (Alberobello, Italy)

Photo: Berthold Werner via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Trulli are traditional stone houses with conical roofs that can be found in the Apulia region of Southern Italy. Their charming size, white color (derived from limestone), and uniquely arched entrances make them a popular attraction among visitors.

Over 1,500 trulli populate the town of Alberobello. Historically, they were used as housing by agricultural laborers or temporary field shelters. Now, luxury trulli in Italy are highly sought after in the real estate market as charming vacation homes.

This article has been edited and updated.

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READ: 15 Different Types of Houses Found in Countries Around the World