Kosmos

Commissioned to design the Lego House in Billund, Denmark, star architect Bjarke Ingels was clearly inspired by his client’s product – except that his work is not made of plastic. The 12 000-square-meter adventure center next door to the headquarters of the world’s largest toy manufacturer took four years to complete. Roughly 25 million real lego bricks make up the exhibits inside the building.

  legohouse.com

Google, the Smart car, the iMac, Hong Kong International Airport and the cult film The Big Lebowski all turn 20 this year. Flying high in the charts in 1998: “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy” by The Offspring, “Frozen” by Madonna and “Big Big World” by Emilia.

Before they conquered Beijing in 1644, the rulers of the Qing dynasty had already created a miniature version of the Forbidden City in the country’s northeast. Although twelve times smaller, its inimitable design com­bined elements from Manchuria, Mongolia and China. In addition, the buildings that make up the Shenyang Imperial Palace, now a museum, are based on nomads’ yurts.

en.sypm.org.cn

In the past ten years, the number of visitors to Frankfurt has increased by 68 percent. In October, even more people will be arriving for the Frankfurt Book Fair. So it’s a good idea to plan ahead for your visit to this lively city: As the name suggests, the Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport is just minutes from the airport. Its casual atmosphere makes it perfect for leaf­ing through those books you just bought.

frankfurtairport.place.hyatt.com