The Pearl Qatar development (artificial island in Arabian, or Persian Gulf) under construction in northern Doha, with its eastern part (Viva Bahriyah/Viva Centrale) in the center. View from a window of a plane from Doha, Qatar to Houston, TX, March 16, 2010.
Sewage outlet (ground water from construction sites) on Corniche (seafront promenade). Doha, Qatar, February 12, 2010
Group of workers on construction of Qatar Petroleum (QP) Building West Bay sitting at sunset after a shift. Doha, Qatar, February 8, 2014
Exhibition and Convention Center (under construction) in West Bay from Al Dafna Roundabout. Doha, Qatar, November 22, 2013
Abandoned construction west from Ezdan Hotel in West Bay, view from a window of Room 1-2244. Doha, Qatar, September 12, 2014
Al Jassimiya (under construction) and Burj Qatar (yellow lighted, phallic) towers in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, January 20, 2012
Workers sleeping in a temporary accommodation in a partially constructed building at Sikkat Ibn Al Rabei near Al Dawakhil Street, Najma area. Doha, Qatar, June 7, 2013
Construction of a mosque near Church of Annunciation in Nazareth. The Middle East, March 16, 2002
Al Bidda and Burj Qatar (Sheikh Saoud Bin Mohammed Bin Ali Al Thani) towers (under construction) of West Bay from Sheraton Park at sunrise. Doha, Qatar, January 17, 2010
Abdullah Bin Thani Street towards construction site of Musheireb Project in Musheirib area. Doha, Qatar, March 28, 2014
Stone construction for bird trapping(?) on the plateau of a tabletop hill in Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya) Reserve near Abu Samra. Southern Qatar, April 1, 2016
Construction site in West Bay north from Sheraton Roundabout. Doha, Qatar, April 16, 2011
Administration Building (under construction) in Education City, Rayyan area. Doha, Qatar, March 3, 2013
Workers on construction of QP Building sitting after a shift on Al Adaid Street in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, February 1, 2014
Lakhta Center construction project. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 8, 2018
Partially constructed and abandoned buildings with cranes in Porto Arabia in Pearl Qatar Development at sunrise. Doha, Qatar, March 30, 2013
Construction spot Al Khor Cemetery in mist. North from Al Khor, Qatar, February 6, 2016
Leonard P. Zakim/Bunker Hill Suspension Bridge (south side), view from a construction site behind Fleet Center. Boston, Massachusetts, May 30, 2004
Construction of a super-tall skyscraper Dubai Towers - Doha, view from Corniche. Doha, Qatar, February 4, 2011
Construction spot in TAMU Holistic Garden in Texas A and M University. College Station, Texas, June 17, 2012
Stone constructions in area of Bienkovsky Mansion in Zakhodskoe, 50 miles north from Saint Petersburg. Leningrad Region, Russia, August 7, 2016
Lakhta Center construction project and Sobakina Flats from Yakhtenny Bridge. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 8, 2018
Shangri-La Hotel (under construction) in West Bay at sunrise in fog, view from Al Wahda Street. Doha, Qatar, February 16, 2010
Construction equipment in TAMU Holistic Garden in Texas A and M University. College Station, Texas, June 17, 2012
Workers crowding on construction of Qatar Petroleum (QP) District Project in West Bay from a window of Room 1-2244 of Ezdan Hotel. Doha, Qatar, February 3, 2015
Workers crowding at exit of construction of Qatar Petroleum (QP) District Project in West Bay from a window of Room 1-2244 of Ezdan Hotel. Doha, Qatar, February 3, 2015
Construction of Convention Center behind City Center Mall. Doha, Qatar, January 27, 2012
Mysterious construction in a yard at 5 Lenina Street. Vyborg, Russia, February 14, 2013
Workers on construction of QP Building resting after a shift on Al Adaid Street in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, February 1, 2014
Workers on construction of QP Building waiting a bus after a shift on Al Adaid Street in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, February 1, 2014
Leonard P. Zakim/Bunker Hill Suspension Bridge (south side), view from a construction site behind Fleet Center. Boston, Massachusetts, May 30, 2004
Unidentified construction, may be for melting of copper near the Timna cliffs in western Timna Park. White sand is result of erosion of the cliffs. The Middle East, April 25, 2001
Group of workers on construction of Qatar Petroleum (QP) Building West Bay sitting after a shift. Doha, Qatar, February 8, 2014
Construction workers, view from a tourist bus. Pskov, Russia, August 8, 2004
A road under construction through chalk stone 2 miles north-east from BGU. Beer-Sheva, the Middle East, May 12, 2000
Construction of Mitchell Physics Buildings (TAMU project No. 2-2974) on campus of Texas A and M University, view from Chemical Engineering building. College Station, Texas, January 18, 2008
Foundation of Al Quds Endowment Tower (under construction) which will become the tallest building in Qatar from a window of room 1908 of Somerset West Bay hotel at morning. Doha, Qatar, January 16, 2010
Beach Tower and construction area from 19th floor of Somerset West Bay hotel. Doha, Qatar, January 27, 2010
Construction of Arwa, Convention Center, Al Baker and RG buildings in Diplomatic District of West Bay. Doha, Qatar, February 10, 2011
Construction on a small street parallel to Conference Centre Street in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, November 22, 2013
Workers going from construction of Qatar Petroleum (QP) District Project in West Bay from a window of Room 1-2244 of Ezdan Hotel. Doha, Qatar, February 1, 2015
Construction of a labor camp(?) from a window of Room 1-2244 of Ezdan Hotel. Doha, Qatar, February 17, 2016
Gathering of workers on construction of Qatar Petroleum (QP) District Project in West Bay from a window of Room 1-2244 of Ezdan Hotel. Doha, Qatar, January 31, 2015
Mitchell Physics Buildings under construction on campus of Texas A and M University, view from Chemical Engineering building. College Station, Texas, March 18, 2008
Workers on construction of QP Building gathering under a giant portrait of emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Ezdan Tower in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, February 1, 2014
An old construction site north from North Peters Street in Bywater. New Orleans, Louisiana, May 22, 2005.
Construction of National Museum, near Corniche, view from a window of a bus No. 76. Doha, Qatar, January 24, 2014
Rolls of some construction material in a village of Al Mashrab in area of Ras Laffan Farms. Northern Qatar, October 18, 2014
Workers standing in lines on construction of Qatar Petroleum (QP) District Project in West Bay from a window of Room 1-2244 of Ezdan Hotel. Doha, Qatar, February 3, 2015
Construction of Al Quds Endowment Tower from 19th floor of Somerset West Bay hotel. Doha, Qatar, January 27, 2010
Construction area of Doha Convention Center in a backyard of City Center Mall, with Rotana Hotel in background. Doha, Qatar, February 19, 2011
Barwa Financial Center, under construction. Doha, Qatar, January 27, 2012
Historical concrete pavilion remained from a construction and engineering exhibition in 1908 on Kamennyi Ostrov. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 16, 2011
Mysterious giant construction in Education City. Doha, Qatar, April 11, 2014
Al Khor Cemetery, under construction. North from Al Khor, Qatar, December 5, 2014
South entrance gate of Dar Al Salam Compound in Abu Hamour area, under construction. Doha, Qatar, March 21, 2012
Construction at Al Maymoun Street near Al Hasan Bin Ali Street, Musheirib area. Doha, Qatar, April 27, 2013
View of a construction site from a gym hall on 30-th floor of Dareen Tower in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, February 1, 2014
View of a construction site from Al Najada Street in Musheirib area. Doha, Qatar, March 14, 2014
Abandoned construction from a window of Room 1-2244 of Ezdan Hotel. Doha, Qatar, February 1, 2015
Construction of Convention Center in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, February 23, 2013
Unidentified construction in Celery Bog Park. West Lafayette, Indiana, May 9, 1999.
Construction of Conference Center in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, March 2, 2013
Workers on construction of QP Building after a shift on Al Adaid Street in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, February 1, 2014
View of a construction site from Abdullah Bin Thani Street in Musheirib area. Doha, Qatar, March 14, 2014
Danger warning sign on a construction site near W Hotel in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, February 12, 2010
Reflection of construction sites in Aamal Tower in West Bay, view from a balcony of Room 2303 of ASAS Tower West. Doha, Qatar, March 25, 2011
Workers exiting from construction of Qatar Petroleum (QP) District Project in West Bay from a window of Room 1-2244 of Ezdan Hotel. Doha, Qatar, February 1, 2015
A construction in Westport Harbor, view from a bridge. Wesport, Massachusetts, May 19, 2004
Reflections of construction fences in a concave side of Aamal Tower in West Bay, view from a balcony of Room 2303 of ASAS Tower West. Doha, Qatar, February 12, 2011
Danger sign on a construction site near W Hotel in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, January 22, 2010
Construction of a tall skyscraper Dubai Towers - Doha, view from Corniche. Doha, Qatar, April 9, 2011
Musheirib construction project from Al Najada Street. Doha, Qatar, January 31, 2014
Musheirib construction project from ruins near Al Najada Street. Doha, Qatar, January 31, 2014
Doha Convention Center (under construction) in West Bay in fog. Doha, Qatar, February 15, 2014
Construction site from Umm Wishad Street in Musheirib area. Doha, Qatar, March 14, 2014
Construction charts at Al Aasim Street in Najada area. Doha, Qatar, March 28, 2014
Workers loading buses near construction of Qatar Petroleum (QP) District Project in West Bay from a window of Room 1-2244 of Ezdan Hotel. Doha, Qatar, February 1, 2015
Construction of Qatar Petroleum (QP) District Project in West Bay from a window of Room 1-2244 of Ezdan Hotel. Doha, Qatar, February 1, 2015
Evening view of construction of Qatar Petroleum (QP) District Project in West Bay from a window of Room 1-2244 of Ezdan Hotel. Doha, Qatar, February 1, 2015
Workers gathering on construction of Qatar Petroleum (QP) District Project in West Bay from a window of Room 1-2244 of Ezdan Hotel. Doha, Qatar, February 3, 2015
Construction junkyard from a window of Room 1-2244 of Ezdan Hotel. Doha, Qatar, July 31, 2015
Messy construction site from a window of Room 1-2244 of Ezdan Hotel. Doha, Qatar, August 21, 2015
Iron construction of Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge from Smolnaya Embankment. Saint Petersburg, Russia, December 19, 2016
Dumping site of construction and demolition debris in a forest near Okhta River in Toksovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 16, 2021
A view from the gun deck of the Moncrieff gun pit, with the "shaft" construction visible as a two-level system: the Gun Deck (Top), the Crew Floor (Bottom), Mechanism Traces. Coastal Fort "Reef", Kronstadt, Russia, September 27, 2025
The expanding scale of the "Alley of Heroes," with construction machinery visible in the left background clearing land for new burial plots, confirming the site s active status. The foreground displays a dense cluster of polished granite monuments flanked by diverse military insignia, including the St. Andrew[CloseCurlyQuote]s flag of the Navy and a unit banner for a Motorized Rifle formation, reflecting the hybrid force structure composed of regular troops, mobilized personnel, and specialized units. Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025
Rebuilding of the Forest Building (Russian: Lesnoy Korpus) in a major reconstruction project at the historic Sestroretsk Resort (Sestroretsky Kurort). The original Sestroretsk Resort was a famous health spa complex founded in 1898 by engineer Peter Avenarius. It featured several grand wooden structures, including a massive Kursaal (concert hall), a mud bath facility, and the Forest Building. The resort was a hub for St. Petersburg s elite and intelligentsia in the early 20th century. The original Forest Building was a beautiful wooden hotel and sanatorium building constructed in the early 1900s. It was a key part of the ensemble but was destroyed during World War II. The new structure faithfully replicates the "Northern Art Nouveau" style of the original resort architecture, characterized by its complex roofline, spires, towers, and wooden detailing that harmonizes with the surrounding pine forest and dunes. The exterior appears nearly complete, showing the elaborate wooden facade, the large central dome, and the corner towers with their needle-like spires. The scaffolding indicates that finishing work is still in progress. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 9, 2025
Marble Bridge (also known as the Palladian Bridge or Siberian Marble Gallery) in Catherine Park. Built in 1772-1774 by the architect Vasily Neelov, it is modeled after the famous Palladian Bridge at Wilton House in England (designed by Inigo Jones and Roger Morris). The bridge is constructed entirely from Ural marble (hence "Siberian"). It features a covered Ionic colonnade resting on a rusticated arch base. It spans a narrow channel connecting the Great Pond with the smaller neighboring ponds (Swan Islands). Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Pyramid Pavilion, located in a quiet, shady corner of Catherine Park in Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin). It was originally built in 1770-1772 by the architect Vasily Neyelov and later reconstructed by Charles Cameron in 1782-1783. The pavilion was designed to resemble an ancient Egyptian mausoleum, reflecting the Romantic era s fascination with antiquity and melancholy ruins. It is constructed of brick and faced with trimmed granite. Buried behind the pyramid are three of the Empress s favorite Italian greyhounds: Tom Anderson, Zemira, and Duchesse. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Devil s Bridge (Chertov Most), also known as the Cascade, located near the Upper Ponds in Catherine Park. It is constructed from rough-hewn limestone and granite blocks (tufa) to resemble a natural rock formation or an ancient grotto. The "bridge" actually functions as a decorative cascade or dam between the ponds. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Kitchen Ruin (Kukhnya-Ruina) which is one of the most historically fascinating and visually authentic follies in Catherine Park. Built between 1785 and 1786, it was designed by the Italian architect Giacomo Quarenghi. It was constructed specifically to serve as a "service pavilion" (a kitchen) for the nearby Concert Hall. Quarenghi incorporated authentic ancient Roman fragments into its brick walls. These include broken columns, capitals, cornices, and friezes with carved garlands, which were brought to Russia from Italy. The headless statue in the niche is a prominent feature, emphasizing the theme of lost time and the decay of empires. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
View of a late-Soviet brick residential quarter (kirpichnaya khrushchevka) deeply integrated with the mature nature of the Vyborgsky district, captured at the beautiful but fleeting peak of autumn. View from this window providing a glimpse into Soviet-era urban planning, specifically the residential design of the 1960s. The beige brick buildings visible in the frame are classic examples of "Khrushchevka" (Series 1-528). Unlike the cheaper concrete panel blocks (panelki), these are constructed from silicate brick, which was considered a "premium" material for mass housing at the time. They are easily identified by their 5-story height, hipped roofs (often replaced with metal sheeting), and specific balcony arrangements. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 11, 2025
Graceful, humpbacked silhouette of the bridge, designed to arch elegantly over the narrow waterway connecting the ponds. The bridge s single, shallow arch is constructed from dark iron, supported by massive granite abutments on either bank. Delicate lattice pattern of the wrought-iron railing is clearly visible against the backdrop of the forest. Sergievka Park, Old Peterhof, west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 13, 2025
Saint Petersburg State Forestry University (often referred to historically as the Forestry Academy or Lesotekhnicheskaya Akademiya). Established in 1803 by decree of Emperor Alexander I as the Practical Forestry School in Tsarskoye Selo. In 1811, it was moved to its current location in the Vyborgsky District of Saint Petersburg, occupying the site of an old English dairy farm. The classical white building shown in the photo is the Main Educational Building. Originally constructed as four separate corps between 1826 and 1833 by architects I.F. Lucchini and A. Nellinger, these were later united into a single complex with a central courtyard in the late 1830s. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025
A building at 5 lit. B Engelsa Prospect which is a surviving historical service corps of the Orlovo-Novosiltsevskaya Almshouse complex. This small brick structure was originally built as one of the auxiliary buildings (likely for staff or utility purposes) for the larger almshouse institution. The main complex, located at Engelsa 1-5, was a major philanthropic center established in the 1830s. The complex was designed by the renowned architect Iosif Charlemagne (Joseph-Maria Charlemagne-Baudet) in the late Classicist style. It was constructed between 1834 and 1841. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025
Temple of Friendship in Pavlovsk Park. Built by Charles Cameron between 1780 and 1784, it was the very first building constructed in the park. It was officially dedicated to Empress Catherine the Great by her son Paul (the future Emperor) and his wife Maria Feodorovna as a gesture of thanks for gifting them the Pavlovsk lands. However, it was also a politically savvy move to rename it the "Temple of Friendship" to honor the visit of Joseph II, the Holy Roman Emperor, framing it as a symbol of enlightened European alliance. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 15, 2025
This is the No~elasilma ("Eye of the Needle") Gate, a reconstructed section of the medieval urban fabric located at the end of Niguliste Street. Originally, this area was a densely built-up part of the Old Town, near the historic Harju Gate. However, the neighborhood was largely destroyed during the March 1944 Soviet bombing, which leveled about 20% of Tallinn s buildings, particularly in the Harju and Niguliste street areas. The ruins stood for decades before the area was cleared and later redeveloped as a green space and memorial. The No~elasilma Gate itself was reconstructed in 2006-2007 as part of an effort to restore the medieval street network and mark the historical boundary of the former churchyard. The structure consists of two limestone walls with arched openings, mimicking the narrow passageways typical of the medieval city. Looking through the gate, you see the cobblestones of Niguliste Street. In the background stands a distinct corner tower with a red tiled roof, part of the residential block that survived or was restored after the war. The modern apartment buildings on the left (Harju Street area) are post-war constructions, filling the void left by the bombing. The gate now serves as a poignant reminder of the city s lost layers and its resilience. Estonia, October 16, 2025
The truck in this close-up is a Soviet-era GAZ-51 (or possibly its four-wheel-drive variant, the GAZ-63), which has been repurposed into a striking, semi-ruined art installation in Tallinn s Old Town. The distinct rounded hood, vertical grille slats, and cab shape identify it as a GAZ-51, one of the most widely produced trucks in the Soviet Union from 1946 to 1975. It was a workhorse of Estonian agriculture and industry during the Soviet occupation. The truck is in a state of deliberate decay, with peeling blue paint revealing rust, missing headlights, and a weather-beaten interior. This "ruined" aesthetic allows it to blend into the surrounding greenery, symbolizing the passage of time. The door features a stylized graffiti tag of a dragonfly, adding a layer of modern urban art to the vintage industrial canvas. A large, green, pipe-like structure (resembling a telescopic boom, grain auger, or water cannon) is mounted on the back. This industrial attachment gives the truck a fantastical, almost "Mad Max" or steampunk appearance, repurposing a utility vehicle into a whimsical sculpture. There is a local story that the owner of this specific plot of land (which is private, unlike the surrounding city-owned park) placed the truck and other objects (like manure heaps or potato patches in previous years) as a form of protest or disruption because the city would not grant permission to construct a new building on the site. Estonia, October 16, 2025
A weathered, wooden gate at Tolli Street 8 (Tolli tn 8) in the Old Town of Tallinn. This short, historic street runs north from Pikk Street towards the harbor area. Its name (meaning "Customs") reflects its historical connection to trade and taxation near the old port. The gate likely leads to a private courtyard or garden behind one of the historic residential properties. The wooden gate is visibly aged, with uneven planks and temporary reinforcements, suggesting it is awaiting restoration or is part of a less polished corner of the Old Town. This "shabby chic" aesthetic contrasts with the meticulously renovated facades on nearby Pikk Street. The flanking limestone walls are covered in peeling plaster and graffiti, revealing the raw stone construction typical of Tallinn s medieval infrastructure. The presence of graffiti and the unkempt nature of the gate offer a glimpse into the "lived-in" reality of the city, distinct from the purely tourist-focused attractions. The autumn leaves visible above the gate add a touch of seasonal color to the otherwise gritty scene. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
A wooden double door set within a limestone portal at approximately Pikk 67 in Tallinn s Old Town. The door is framed by a round-arched limestone portal, a common feature in Tallinn s medieval Hanseatic architecture. The rough-hewn stone blocks (voussoirs) forming the arch are clearly visible where the plaster has fallen away, revealing the underlying construction technique. The surrounding wall features peeling stucco in shades of ochre and grey, exposing the limestone masonry beneath. This texture speaks to the building s age and the ongoing challenge of maintaining historic structures in the local climate. The door itself is made of diagonal wooden planks, a traditional style for utility or courtyard entrances in the Old Town. It appears to be a secondary entrance rather than a main portal for a wealthy merchant s house. The juxtaposition of the medieval stone arch with modern urban graffiti creates a stark contrast between the city s protected history and contemporary urban challenges. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
Old Passenger Terminal of Tallinn Airport. Built between 1945 and 1954 (opened in 1955), this building is a classic example of Stalinist architecture. Its symmetrical facade, rusticated ground floor, and the distinctive control tower with a viewing gallery reflect the monumental style favored in the Soviet Union during that period. An earlier Art Deco/Functionalist terminal was designed in 1938 by the architect Arthur Ju"rvetson, but construction was halted by World War II. The post-war redesign incorporated the Soviet aesthetic. This building served as the main passenger terminal until 1980, when a new, larger terminal (the current one) was built for the Moscow Olympics sailing regatta held in Tallinn. Today, this historic building has been repurposed for VIP services and administrative offices. It stands separately from the modern glass-and-steel terminal but remains an integral part of the airport s history, visible to passengers taxiing on the runway. View from a window of an airplane from Tallinn to Helsinki. Estonia, October 17, 2025
