The Reichstag to the US Capitol: eight of the world's most impressive governmental buildings

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

Taken from the new book Roads Reflections: Government, see pictures from eight of the world's greatest governmental buildings

Reichstag Building, Berlin, Germany

Paul Wallot (1894); Norman Foster, 1999

Dem Deutschen Volke – ‘To the German People’. This famous inscription, added to the Reichstag’s façade in 1916, has survived many tumultuous times. Devastated by a 1933 arson attack, Wallot’s original High Renaissance building stood idle for a long period after the Second World War, during which it suffered extensive damage. Partial renovation was carried out mid-century, but it wasn’t until the 1990s, with the reunification of Germany, that the Reichstag was reinstated as the seat of government. Foster’s subsequent reconstruction included the insertion of a new dome that provides light and ventilation to the debating chamber, but, more significantly, allows the public to watch democracy in progress below.

Parliament House, Canberra, Australia

Romaldo Giurgola (1988)

In 1901, the Australian colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia, and in 1909 Canberra was chosen as the site for the new capital. A temporary building was erected in 1927, and in 1978 plans were announced to construct a permanent parliament. This new complex, built entirely from materials sourced in Australia, is one of the largest buildings in the southern hemisphere and attracts approximately 1 million visitors per year. Postmodern in style, the deceptively simple structure is enhanced by clever landscaping, nods to national history, art and culture, and of course the iconic steel flagpole, which towers at 81 metres tall, a landmark for the city of Canberra.

Old Royal Palace, Athens, Greece

Friedrich von Gärtner (1843)

The Old Royal Palace, originally built for King Otto, became home to the Hellenic Parliament in 1935. The palace is austere but imposing, Gärtner’s neoclassical design combining functionality with elements of the Ancient Greek aesthetic. In 1924, Greece transitioned from monarchy to republic; the building was abandoned by the royal family and five years later the government decided to move the parliament and senate into the building. The palace was converted under the direction of Andreas Kriezis, and although the monarchy was reinstated in 1935, the parliament has remained there since.

Palace of Parliament, Bucharest, Romania

Anca Petrescu (2005)

Spanning a colossal 340,000 square metres, the leviathan Palace of Parliament – originally, and somewhat ironically, named Casa Poporului (‘House of the People’) – was built during one of the darkest periods of Romania’s history: the reign of tyrannical Communist dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu. Construction began in 1983 with 20,000 labourers, work going on twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week, while standards of living plummeted to an all-time low. It was almost complete when the revolution began in 1989 and Ceauşescu was overthrown and executed. In time, the people have come to appreciate the palace, which today houses the parliament and the Museum of Contemporary Art – but more than half of it remains unoccupied.

Government House of Baku, Baku, Azerbaijan

Lev Rudnev and VO Munts (1952)

Azerbaijan lies in an enviable position between Europe and Asia, in an area rich with natural resources. Thus, for centuries, empires have fought for its occupation, including the Greeks, the Romans, the Mongols, and the Russians. It was under Russian control, in 1934, that plans to build Government House (then ‘Baku Soviet Palace’) were announced. Construction began two years later, and lasted until 1952. This colossal Stalinist edifice was designed to accommodate 5,500 people and it is the most popular tourist attraction in the country. Since 1991, when Azerbaijan gained independence, it has housed numerous state ministries.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Tokyo, Japan

Kenzō Tange (1990)

Also known as Tokyo City Hall, this domineering structure is home to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Located in Shinjuku, it comprises three buildings, each occupying a city block; the tallest of these stands at a towering forty-eight storeys, and splits in two on the thirty-third floor, which offers a futuristic take on the Gothic cathedral. The architect’s concept was inspired by a computer chip, and although the external textured finish is inspired by traditional Japanese architecture, the overall design is decidedly European, reflecting the post-modern propensities of 1980s architecture.

National Capitol Building, Havana, Cuba

Raúl Otero and Eugenio Rayneri Piedra (1929)

‘El Capitolio’ was commissioned by President Gerardo Machado after his 1925 election, and it was the seat of government until the Cuban Revolution ended in 1959, when the Communist regime was established. For a time it housed the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, but in 2013 the government announced its plans to restore the Capitol to its former glory and make it home to the National Assembly. The restoration project, which is expected to take around five years, will see this former paragon of extravagance become home to Cuba’s Communist parliament.

United States Capitol, Washington DC, USA

William Thornton (1800)

The cast-iron dome of the Capitol, the seat of the United States Congress, is arguably the most recognisable man-made landmark in the USA. At its pinnacle, giving the Capitol a total height of 88 metres, stands the ‘Statue of Freedom’, which, together with the overall neoclassical approach, reflects the ancient ideals of governance for the people, by the people. This design was selected by President George Washington, who laid the cornerstone in 1793, but construction was slow, owing to funding difficulties and the War of 1812, and over time involved eleven different architects. Today, the Capitol covers approximately 16,200 square metres and is one of the world’s most popular federal buildings, with 3-5 million global visitors annually.

• Roads Reflections: Government, a stunning illustrated book which takes readers on a photographical journey of the world’s most impressive governmental buildings in 43 countries, brings together 134 spectacular and unique photographs from more than 100 individual photographers from across the globe. Find out more and buy online.

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Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/art/architecture-and-design/art536467-road-reflections-government-photography-baku-reichstag