Pink is the color of the year 2023, and there are many buildings that embraced this vibrant color long before the success of Hollywood.
From an Indian palace to a small venue in France, pink architecture is spreading all over the world.
And to celebrate the release of the movie Barbie,
we’re taking a trip to some of the most impressive pink architecture around the world.
Hawa Mahal (Jaipur, India)
Built in 1799, this red and pink sandstone palace is located on the edge of the City Palace complex in Jaipur, India.
Designed by architect Lal Chand Austad, the five-storey east facade is shaped like a honeycomb and rises to a height of about 50 feet.
Its finely carved facade features inlaid panels, gilding,
fluted columns and floral decorations making it one of the finest works of Rajput architecture.
The 953 windows of the palace – also known as the Palace of Winds – allowed the women of Jaipur’s court to observe the vibrant life unfolding in the surrounding streets without being seen.
La Murala Roja (Calb, Spain)
A contemporary castle, Hotel Muralla Roja is one of the masterpieces of Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill.
The building was built in 1973, and the building includes 50 apartments.
The building is located atop Calpe’s coastal cliffs in the Spanish province of Alicante,
overlooking El Peñon de Ifach, a steep, 1,073-foot-tall rock.
The contemporary, pastel-coloured maze is inspired by Arab and Mediterranean architecture.
This deep pink geometric and graphic work also contrasts with the blue of the Mediterranean Sea and the often clear skies of southern Spain.
La Maison Rose (Paris, France)
Maison Rose, located on the corner of rue des Saules and rue de l’Abreuvoir in Paris,
was purchased in 1850 by the Spanish painter Ramon Pichot, a friend of Picasso.
Later, restaurateur Beatrice Miolano purchased the property in 1948, and her grandson still owns the establishment today.
The small house was a haven for artists in the 1950s and was a typical French restaurant in the heart of Montmartre.
Its picturesque appearance, Maurice Utrillo used it as the subject of a number of his paintings, and has attracted visitors from all over the world ever since.
Five Cats Entertainment Center (Beijing, China)
The interior courtyard of the eight-storey Five Cats Entertainment Centre, in Beijing’s Chaoyang district, has been painted a garish pink.
Its stadium has been frequently used as a location for photo shoots, and the shopping center of which it is part extends over 12 acres.
Immersive and interactive, the mall looks like an outpost from the world of Barbie.
Cooperative Business Bank (Ljubljana, Slovenia)
The Cooperative Business Bank Building is one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau architecture in Slovenia’s capital, drawing inspiration from the country’s traditional architecture while its decorative details reflect artistic influences.
The bank facade was designed in 1921 by architect Ivan Vornik and painted by his wife,
artist Helena Vornik, and all five floors of the bank facade are richly decorated.
Rho Quy Parish Church, Kontum Province, Vietnam
Ro Koi Parish Church was officially opened in 2022. Located in the country’s Sa Thay region, it blends traditional and contemporary elements.
Newly painted in pink and yellow, this unusual Catholic church echoes elements of another gorgeous pink building in Vietnam, the 1876 Sacred Heart Church in Ho Chi Minh City.
Matisse Museum, Nice, France
This museum opened in 1963 – in a late 17th century building,
with its stunning terracotta facade, dedicated to the French artist Henri Matisse.
Located in the Jardin des Arènes de Cimiez, it collects his works, from his artistic beginnings to his final works.
Making it one of the most important collections focusing on the famous French artist in the world.
Sculptures, drawings, prints, personal documents and paintings are found in the villa.
Between 1987 and 1993, architect Jean-François Boudin supervised the addition of a new wing, which raised the total area of the museum to more than 30,000 square feet.
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