Here at London Roofing Group, as we strive to deliver the best roofing services for our clients, we never stop learning and improving our craft. One of the things that we do in order to achieve that is by studying these wonderful masterpieces.
Here are 6 iconic roofs in the world that will definitely inspire you.
Taj Mahal, India
In keeping with our roofing theme, the name literally means “crown of the palace”. Located in Uttar Pradesh, India construction of the Taj Mahal was started in 1632 and completed 21 years later. It is a tomb for the favourite wife of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The project employed 20,000 artisans and cost a fortune! The crowning glory of the UNESCO heritage site is the enormous domed roof often referred to as an onion dome which has beautiful pillars leading up to it and spaces to allow shafts of light to flood inside. The roof terrace offers views of the stunning sculptured gardens and acres of grounds including a mosque.
Sydney Opera House, Australia
Opened in 1973 by the Queen of England the Sydney Opera House has enjoyed nearly half a century as one of the very most iconic buildings in the southern hemisphere. In 2007 it was declared a UNESCO world heritage site.
The roof structure is totally unique and each section different to the others. In fact it is so complex that it inspired Danish architect Jørn Utzon to turn to computer power for help – one of the very first uses of computers in construction - to calculate the unimaginable forces that the structure would have to withstand to stay up!
The roofing design was then tested in wind tunnels at the University of Southampton, England to ensure it could hold up under heavy winds.
The British Museum, London 
The huge geometric glass roof, covering an area of two acres, increased the size of the British Museum by a massive 40%. Designed by Lord Foster and completed in 2000 the £100 million project covers the entire central quadrangle with 3,312 panes of glass each different from each other. As the largest covered public square in Europe this London roofing project has created a spectacular but serene space right in the heart of central London with the famous reading room at its epicentre.
A spokesman from London Roofing Group told us ”This project is a great inspiration for all of us in this industry especially in the city of London”.
La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona 
Possibly the greatest construction project in the modern era this immense undertaking is even more impressive due to being funded entirely by private donations. Began in 1882 by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the basilica is a unique fusion of gothic and art nouveau styles.
The project was reported to have only reached its half-way stage in 2010.
The roofing itself, once completed, will tell a remarkable story from the bible. To complete the elaborate roof design there must be constructed 18 spires in increasing heights representing the 12 apostles, the 4 evangelists, the virgin Mary and tallest of them all of course, Jesus Christ.
Computer power has helped to increase the speed of construction and now completion is predicted in the 2030s.
The Grand Palace, Bangkok 
Begun in 1782 the Grand Palace is actually not a single building but a number of buildings spread out over an area of the centre of Bankok. Part of its charm undoubtedly comes from its organic development over many decades and the fact that different buildings were influenced by different monarchs. The varied roofs are the most decorative elements and are truest to its eastern heritage with the rest of the buildings being somewhat more influenced by western styles. Steep pitching, imperious golden cladding topped with sharp steeples these buildings are incredibly popular with tourist visitors and provide a romantic eastern skyline and a spectacular frame for sunsets.
St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow
Built in the mid 1500s it is considered part of the Byzantine tradition but with no parallel or similar building in existence it was designed to look like the flames of a fire to celebrate the taking of new lands to the south by Ivan the Terrible.
Strange and unexpected it sits within the UNESCO world heritage site around the Kremlin and is often confused for the Kremlin itself due to its frequent use as a backdrop by western news agencies.
The beautiful roof is certainly the most recognisable aspect of the design – 8 colourful “onion domes” sit around the central spire.
In the communist revolution the building was confiscated from the Orthodox Church and remains even today as property of the state and used as a historical museum.
This list was curated by the Milton Keynes Roofing and Roofing Beaconsfield team.
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