Architecture shapes the world around us. If I mention Paris, the first thing that likely comes to mind is the image of the Eiffel Tower. However, imagine if, instead of a tower, Paris's landscape was dominated by a huge guillotine. I bet our selfies would look quite different, huh? We'd have to cut some people out of the picture—okay, never mind. Many famous landmarks almost looked very different than they do today, so let's take a trip down history lane and explore them.
What American city is so loved that it had to be named twice? It's New York, New York, of course. The New York City skyline is made up of many iconic structures, the most symbolic being the Statue of Liberty. Many people don't know that the Statue was originally copper-colored but turned green due to patina oxidation of the copper. More surprisingly, it was almost modeled after an Egyptian woman. Historians say that Lady Liberty's sculptor was fascinated by Egyptian monuments. However, this design was never realized due to its high cost.
One of the world's most significant buildings, its neoclassical design with large frontal pillars and a green lawn is widely recognized. President George Washington held a competition to design the presidential residence, with several fascinating proposals. Thomas Jefferson submitted a simple yet classic design, while James Diamond suggested an entrance with two mirrored spiral staircases. The most famous rejected design was Philip Hart's, which featured a three-story building with two front balconies, making it appear almost excessive. Ultimately, Washington chose James Hoban's design, modeled after Dublin's House of Parliament, and in 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt gave it the nickname "The White House."
It's difficult to picture London without the iconic Tower Bridge. Opened in 1894, it took over eight years, 70,000 tons of concrete, and 432 workers to build. The monument works as a drawbridge, halting traffic whenever a large ship needs to pass through the Thames. Horace Jones proposed the winning design, but many alternatives were rejected. One proposal featured an arch connecting both towers, while F.J. Palmer's figure-eight model aimed to prevent pedestrian and vehicle flow disruption by creating a loop system. However, its complex engineering led the city to reject it.
Paris is by far the world's most visited city. Tourists flock to gaze at the Eiffel Tower while enjoying a delicious croissant in a beret. Imagine Paris without the Eiffel Tower, though—over 700 designs were submitted, and the winner was Gustave Eiffel's tower design. Among the rejected concepts were a monstrous lighthouse and even a giant guillotine. Yes, a designer suggested a guillotine to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. French engineer Jean E. Frey proposed a 980-foot lighthouse with lights so bright the entire city could read newspapers at night. This design even included a spiraling ramp for cars to reach the top and a 2,000-seat restaurant for diners to enjoy breathtaking views.
Moving across the Atlantic, did you know that Benjamin Franklin once suggested the US national bird should be a turkey? In 1792, Thomas Jefferson held a competition to decide on the US Capitol Building's design. An amateur architect named James Diamond submitted a design with a bird perched on top of the dome. Though it was meant to represent a bald eagle, it didn't quite resemble one. Ultimately, William Thornton's grand neoclassical design won, impressing President Washington with its grandeur and elegance.
Returning to Paris, another iconic monument almost looked very different: the Arc de Triomphe. Commissioned by Napoleon to celebrate France's victories, it was inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus. However, architect Charles Ribart proposed the "Elephant Triumphal." This bizarre design featured a massive elephant with a spiral staircase inside, extravagant decor, a garden, and even a drainage system that allowed water to spout from the elephant's trunk.
Down under in Sydney, the skyline almost looked entirely different. In 1956, Sydney held an international competition for its new Opera House design. Danish architect Jørn Utzon won with his now-famous sculptural design. However, the second-place entry by the Philadelphia Cooperative Group was a brutalist nautilus shell-inspired structure with full-height windows and a folded concrete roof. It resembled a vertical dish rack more than a concert hall.
Finally, back in Washington, D.C., the Lincoln Memorial almost took the shape of a pyramid. The design competition came down to John Russell Pope and Henry Bacon. Congress ultimately selected Bacon's neoclassical design, but Pope's sketches included bold concepts like a 250-foot Greek Parthenon and a colossal Mesopotamian ziggurat.
These alternative landmark designs remind us how creativity shapes our world, even when ideas don't make it past the drawing board. It's fascinating to imagine how these cities might have looked if history had taken a slightly different turn.