23 Famous Works of Architecture Seen from Outer Space

When observing skyscrapers and monumental public sculptures , we often have to crane our heads back in order to see the full scale of the object. But what do these structures look like from above—that is, some 100 miles above the ground? New satellite images captured by DigitalGlobe have the answer. Since its founding in 1992, the Colorado-based company has been a vendor of space imagery and geospatial content. DigitalGlobe isn’t the only firm pursuing this endeavor—there are several others that operate commercial imaging satellites—yet, according to Kevin Bullock, DigitalGlobe’s director of business development, what sets the company apart is “the unique types of technology we use to acquire highly accurate and high-definition imagery.” By using a powerful satellite named the WorldView-3, which was manufactured by Ball Aerospace, DigitalGlobe has been able to capture some of the most breathtaking images of the earth ever shot, many of which include such architectural gems as the palm-tree-inspired AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort in Malaysia and snake-shaped stadium of Chifeng City in China.

The time-lapse images in this article were provided by DigitalGlobe , the world’s leading provider of high-resolution Earth imagery, data, and analysis. With the most sophisticated commercial satellite constellation in orbit, DigitalGlobe creates the world’s smartest images, to give its customers confidence when making critical decisions. Unmatched imagery quality, global coverage, and actionable analytics make DigitalGlobe a trusted partner worldwide.

Aldar Properties Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, UAE, by the New York–based firm MZ Architects.

Amsterdam Centraal Station in the Netherlands by architect Pierre Cuypers.

Atomium in Brussels, created by architect André Waterkeyn.

AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort in Lalang, Malaysia.

Bahrain Financial Harbor Towers in Manama, Bahrain, by the Washington, D.C.–based firm AJ Architects.

Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, by architect Pierre Fakhoury.

Chifeng City Stadium in Chifeng, China.

City of Arts and Science in Valencia, Spain, by architect Santiago Calatrava.

Eden Project in Bodelva, England, by architect Nicholas Grimshaw.

Eon Free Zone, Pune, India, by Form4 Architecture.

Gate to the East in Suzhou, China, by U.K.–based firm RMJM.

A series of high rises in Hefei, China.

King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by architect Zaha Hadid.

Montreal Biosphère in Canada.

Longaberger Basket Co. in Newark, New Jersey.

Lotus Temple in New Delhi by Fariborz Sahba.

Louvre Abu Dhabi, UAE, by Jean Nouvel.

Marina Bay Sands in Singapore by Moshe Safdie.

New Century Global Center in Sichuan, China. With 18 million square feet of floor space, it is the largest building on the planet.

Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, by architect César Pelli.

Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea, by Baikdoosan Architects & Engineers.

Shanghai Tower in China by Gensler.

Strait International Conference and Exhibition Center in Fuzhou, China.