You might think that Florida’s most beautiful buildings are located in a big city like Miami, but according to architects, one of the most beautiful buildings in the world is right here in Central Florida. It was placed among famous buildings such as the Parthenon and the Empire State Building on Travel and Leisure’s list of 22 Most Beautiful Buildings in The World (originally published by BusinessInsider) and has won many awards. Can you guess which building it is?
Florida Polytechnic University’s Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) building has been recognized as an iconic piece of American architecture.
The building serves as the center of the school's campus and has won dozens of awards for its innovative design. This makes sense considering that FPU is the state's first and only public polytechnic university, with a focus on STEM education and constant innovation.
The building (and the rest of FPU's campus) was designed by world-renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The IST building serves as the main laboratory and classroom space for FPU students.
The roof actually has more than 90 robotic louvers (the structure you see on top of the building's base) that follow the path of the sun, changing the shape of the building as the day goes on.
Inside the dome, the arches cast elegant shadows on the pathways, and everything inside and out has a very sleek and modern feel. If you want to see the IST building for yourself, visitors are welcome to check it out. FPU is located at 4700 Research Way in Lakeland.
While you're in Lakeland, which is located in Polk County about halfway between Tampa and Orlando, you can also visit the largest collection of architect Frank Lloyd Wright's work at Florida Southern College, only a short drive from FPU.
