8 buildings opened by Queen Elizabeth II during her reign

Coventry Cathedral, by Basil Spence (Coventry, England - 1962)

(DeFacto/CASACOR)

During her 70-year reign , the longest in history, Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated several important buildings throughout the United Kingdom and Australia. Over the years, the style of architecture changed dramatically: the Queen debuted modernist buildings designed by Basil Spence and Frederick Gibberd , brutalist structures by Powell & Moya and Denys Lasdun , and high-tech creations by Richard Rogers and Norman Foster. So, below, to honor her legacy, we have selected 8 buildings officially inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II . Check it out!

The Queen's Building, by Frederick Gibberd (Heathrow, England - 1955)

The Queen's Building, por Frederick Gibberd (Heathrow, Inglaterra- 1955)

(Thomas Nugent/CASACOR)

The Queen opened the central passenger terminal at London airport designed by English architect Frederick Gibbard in 1955. "We can proudly say that [the airport] is among the world's leading airports ," she said at the opening. The Queens Building would later be incorporated into Terminal 2 at the renowned Heathrow airport and was demolished in 2009 to make way for the terminal designed by Foster + Partners.

Coventry Cathedral, by Basil Spence (Coventry, England - 1962)

(DeFacto/CASACOR)

The Commonwealth Institute building was designed in 1962 by Robert Matthew and Stirrat Johnson Marshall of RMJM to house a permanent exhibition. The modernist concrete building, set under a hyperbolic copper-covered roof, was converted into the Design Museum by OMA and John Pawson in 2016. The exterior of the building has been preserved.

Sydney Opera House, by Jørn Utzon (Sydney, Australia - 1973)

(Divulgação/CASACOR)

One million people reportedly attended the official opening of the Sydney Opera House in 1973, where the Queen described the historic building as a " splendid achievement of engineering and architecture ". Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and engineer Ove Arup , the now iconic building was completed 14 years after construction began and is a key example of engineer-led late modernism .

Museum of London, by Powell & Moya (London- 1976)

The Museum of London , opened in 1976 by Queen Elizabeth II, is the world's largest collection of urban history , tracing the social history of London from prehistory to modern times. Architects Philip Powell and Hidalgo Moya took what was an innovative approach to museum design at the time, arranging the galleries so that there was only one route through the exhibits .

Lloyd's Building, by Richard Rogers (London - 1986)

(Divulgação/CASACOR)

In 1986, the Queen opened the Lloyd's Building, designed by architect Richard Rogers . An early example of high-tech architecture , the radical addition to the City of London was designed with all its building services and lifts outside to create a clear spaces inside. "The building is undoubtedly a landmark both in the city's skyline and in the history of Lloyd's," the Queen said.

Stansted Airport, by Foster + Partners (Stansted, England - 1991)

(Ken Kirkwood/CASACOR)

Designed by Foster + Partners to challenge "all the rules of airport terminal design ", the terminal building at Stansted Airport was officially opened by the Queen in 1991. The building is a key example of the high-tech style of architecture that first emerged in the UK in the late 1970s.

Great Court at the British Museum, by Foster + Partners (London- 2000)

Great Court no British Museum, por Foster + Partners (Londres- 2000)

(Divulgação/CASACOR)

Officially called the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court , the British Museum's central courtyard has been covered with a tessellated glass roof created by architecture studio Foster + Partners in collaboration with engineering studio Buro Happold. The court was redesigned as part of a museum renovation that added 40% more space to the institution and was opened by the Queen in 2000.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge, by WilkinsonEyre (Newcastle, England- 2002)

Gateshead Millennium Bridge, por WilkinsonEyre (Newcastle, Inglaterra- 2002)

(Divulgação/CASACOR)

Designed by architecture studio WilkinsonEyre to connect Newcastle and Gateshead, the Millennium Bridge has a distinctive shape formed by two connected arches that rotate to allow boats to pass through. The bridge was officially opened by the Queen in May 2002 and won the Stirling Prize, the UK's most significant architectural award, in October of that year. Source: Dezeen

The Queen's Building, by Frederick Gibberd (Heathrow, England - 1955)

Coventry Cathedral, by Basil Spence (Coventry, England - 1962)

Sydney Opera House, by Jørn Utzon (Sydney, Australia - 1973)

Museum of London, by Powell & Moya (London- 1976)

Lloyd's Building, by Richard Rogers (London - 1986)

Stansted Airport, by Foster + Partners (Stansted, England - 1991)

Great Court at the British Museum, by Foster + Partners (London- 2000)

Gateshead Millennium Bridge, by WilkinsonEyre (Newcastle, England- 2002)

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