Architecture Trivia

100+ Best Architecture Trivia Questions & Answers

Mike Oberman

Updated: April 29th, 2025

Explore the fascinating world of architecture with these mind-bending trivia questions! From iconic buildings to famous architects, challenge yourself and uncover the secrets of the architectural universe.

General Architecture Trivia

Question: Which famous cathedral got a glow-up from William of Sens after the old one caught fire?

Answer: Canterbury

Question: In Gothic architecture, what magical row lets the sunlight flood in like it’s on a VIP list?

Answer: Windows

Question: What's the fancy name for that bar splitting your window down the middle like a stubborn sibling?

Answer: Mullion

Question: Which iconic statue is basically a giant green lady sent as a birthday gift from France to the U.S. (talk about overachieving friends)?

Answer: Statue of Liberty

Question: Walter Gropius founded the Bauhaus movement in which century — right when jazz was popping and flapper dresses ruled?

Answer: 20th

Question: Which legendary architect gave the Guggenheim Museum its signature swirl (basically the world's fanciest cinnamon roll)?

Answer: Wright

Question: Thomas Archer put his stamp on which British Cathedral — think “classy, bold, and totally selfie-worthy today”?

Answer: Birmingham

Modern Architecture Trivia

Question: Which wild, wavy museum in Bilbao looks like a metal flower and was dreamed up by which architect?

Answer: Frank Gehry

Question: Which world-famous opera house in Sydney looks like a bunch of giant seashells having a party — and who designed it?

Answer: Jørn Utzon

Question: This city’s got islands shaped like palm trees because "normal beaches" were too boring — name the futuristic city!

Answer: Dubai

Question: Which famous architect turned the Louvre's entrance into a giant glass pyramid that feels straight out of The Mummy?

Answer: I.M. Pei

Question: Which futuristic city is home to the sail-shaped hotel that looks ready to set sail on a luxury cruise?

Answer: Dubai

Question: Which architect gave London the sky-high Shard, basically a giant glass dagger pointing at the clouds?

Answer: Renzo Piano

Question: Who made Los Angeles even cooler with the Walt Disney Concert Hall that looks like metal sheets dancing in the breeze?

Answer: Frank Gehry

Question: Which brilliant mind imagined Barcelona’s most famous "drip castle" (aka the Sagrada Familia)?

Answer: Antoni Gaudí

Question: Which Brazilian architect created a cathedral that looks like a spaceship about to beam someone up?

Answer: Oscar Niemeyer

Question: Which architect dreamed up Montreal’s ultra-funky Habitat 67 that looks like a Lego city for grownups?

Answer: Moshe Safdie

Question: Which architect made Prague’s Dancing House look like two funky partners mid–cha-cha slide?

Answer: Frank Gehry

Question: Which dream team designed the Smithsonian’s newest treasure—the National Museum of African American History and Culture?

Answer: Freelon Group, Adjaye Associates, and Davis Brody Bond

Question: Which architect thought, “Why build a boring office when you can build giant pants?” and gave us the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing?

Answer: Rem Koolhaas

Question: Which superstar architect designed the swooping, futuristic Heydar Aliyev Center that looks like it’s melting (in the coolest way)?

Answer: Zaha Hadid

Question: Which bold mind helped Seattle’s library break all the boring-book-building rules with a crazy cool glass design?

Answer: Rem Koolhaas

Question: Which iconic Paris museum looks like it wore its insides outside — and which dynamic duo designed it?

Answer: Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers (Piano & Rogers)

Question: Which famous London bridge lets pedestrians cross the Thames with a sleek sci-fi vibe, thanks to which architect?

Answer: Norman Foster

Question: Which Barcelona architect made a house look like a dream where dragons, skulls, and colors come to life?

Answer: Antoni Gaudí

Question: Which architect gave the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) a sleek makeover that even New Yorkers said, “Yup, that’s fresh”?

Answer: Yoshio Taniguchi

Question: This city’s temple looks like a giant blooming lotus flower — where in the world is it?

Answer: New Delhi

Architects & their Works Trivia

Question: In what U.S. state can you find Frank Lloyd Wright’s legendary house that's basically chilling on a waterfall?

Answer: Pennsylvania

Question: Erik Gunnar Asplund, master of clean lines and cool vibes, was born in which country?

Answer: Sweden

Question: Before building mind-bending stuff around the world, which country did Frank Gehry call home?

Answer: Canada

Question: Who’s the brain behind St. Paul’s Cathedral in London — basically the OG “boss of domes”?

Answer: Christopher Wren

Question: Zaha Hadid, the queen of futuristic curves, was born in which country that's hotter than her building designs?

Answer: Iraq

Question: Who masterminded the Millennium Dome in London — proving once and for all that "giant white tents" can be iconic?

Answer: Rogers

Question: Which legendary artist decided that painting wasn't enough and went ahead to design the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica too?

Answer: Michelangelo

Architectural Styles & Elements Trivia

Question: Chandigarh’s bold and blocky buildings are poster children for which no-nonsense architectural style?

Answer: Brutalism

Question: Which epic building in Istanbul mixes domes, drama, and divine vibes, all wrapped in a Byzantine bow?

Answer: Byzantine

Question: Lincoln Cathedral's sky-high spires and spooky gargoyles are part of which pointy, dramatic style?

Answer: Gothic

Question: Which of these sounds like a fancy wine but is actually a Roman architectural order with chill vibes and no frills?

Answer: Tuscan

Question: Which iconic Berlin building shows off a giant glass dome that’s basically the perfect Insta shot from any angle?

Answer: Reichstag

Question: If someone says “Duomo” in Florence, what kind of jaw-dropping building are they talking about?

Answer: Cathedral

Architectural Terms Trivia

Question: In what part of a building would you find the architrave — basically the “eyebrows” sitting on top of columns?

Answer: Roof

Question: Chevron moulding is the fashion statement of ancient walls — what’s its signature runway-ready shape?

Answer: Zig Zag

Question: What leafy little design — often seen on fancy columns — makes architecture feel like a walk through a garden?

Answer: Leaf

Question: Which building material sounds like a trendy baby name but is actually made from sun-dried clay and straw?

Answer: Adobe

Question: What’s the name of the elegant, lacy stone patterns you often see dressing up Gothic windows like they’re headed to prom?

Answer: Tracery

Question: Which fancy upper-storey window sticks out like it’s trying to photobomb the street below, all while hanging on a bracket?

Answer: Oriel

Landmarks & Buildings Trivia

Question: In which city can you spiral your way through the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Guggenheim Museum like you’re inside a modern art cinnamon roll?

Answer: New York

Question: In which city does the Cenotaph stand tall — a solemn reminder where silence speaks louder than words?

Answer: London

Question: Which Chicago skyscraper got a new name in 2009 — but locals still call it by its original (because nostalgia is stronger than rebranding)?

Answer: Sears Tower

Question: Which city had to rebuild almost everything after WWII, losing 85% of its buildings — but never its soul?

Answer: Warsaw

Question: Now more famous for housing escape artists and movie villains, where did the first lighthouse on America’s west coast shine its light?

Answer: Alcatraz

Miscellaneous Architecture Trivia

Question: In which century did Robert Adam live, bringing fancy designs and grand vibes to British architecture?

Answer: 18th

Question: Which famous London landmark is said to collapse if its royal ravens ever fly away?

Answer: Tower of London

Question: Which English cathedral shows off the tallest spire and stands proudly over the London skyline?

Answer: St. Paul's London

Question: What memorial did Edward I set up in 1291 to honor his queen, a medieval love story carved in stone?

Answer: Charing Cross

Question: The 40-story Chase Tower rises tallest in which hot and sunny US city where cacti and skyscrapers meet?

Answer: Phoenix

Question: Which city claims the Bank of America Tower as its tallest building and a proud symbol of Florida flair?

Answer: Jacksonville