1. Guangzhou Opera House
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An undisputed masterpiece from every possible angle, the Guangzhou Opera House in China is fully representative of the enormous progress the country has made in the field of contemporary design through recent years. A real statement piece both inside and out, the opera house’s design mixes elegance and opulence in equal measure. From the exterior, the glass and steel construction combination presents a stark, powerful image. Inside, those sharp angles and edges are contrasted beautifully with the smooth curves and subtle spotlights of Zaha Hadid’s mind-blowing 1,800 seat performance hall.