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Star Wars Architecture on Earth: 10 Buildings From a Galaxy Not so Far Away
Read today’s standout story redefining design at Parametric Architecture!
Yagmur Baydır
May 11, 2025
✨ Editor’s Pick ✨
Star Wars Architecture on Earth: 10 Buildings From a Galaxy Not so Far Away
Every year on May 4th, fans across the globe celebrate Star Wars Day with lightsabers and a shared passion for a galaxy far, far away. But
beyond its starships and alien species, one of the saga’s most underrated design elements is its architecture and urban design.
From the sterile corridors of the Death Star to the temple ruins of Ahch-To, Star Wars architecture packs a punch with its futurism in ways that feel both alien and strangely familiar. And as it turns out, our own planet is home to buildings that wouldn’t look out of place in the Star Wars universe. Who is behind these otherworldly buildings? Some of the world’s best architects of course! Scroll down to find our list.
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Warm regards,
Team PA
1. Bruder Klaus Field Chapel – Mechernich, Germany
On screen: Ahch-To Jedi Temple © Star Wars
Real life: Bruder Klaus Field Chapel © Aldo Amoretti, Courtesy of Atelier Peter Zumthor and Partner
2. Apple Park – Cupertino, USA
On screen: Mothma Estate © Star Wars
Real life: Apple Park © Forter + Partners
3. London’s Futuristic Skyscrapers – United Kingdom
On screen: The dystopian city of Coruscant © Star Wars
Real life: Aerial view of London © CITY AM
4. RAK Convention Center – Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
On screen: Starkiller Base © Star Wars
RAK Convention Center © OMA
5. Baháʼí Temple – Santiago, Chile
On screen: Ahch-To where Luke Skywalker retreated © Star Wars
Baháʼí Temple © Hariri Pontarini Architects
 Parametric Intelligence 2.0 - Studio Tim FuThis 4-session workshop demonstrates how Studio Tim Fu uses AI and parametric design to transform architectural concepts into real-world designs. The workshop is scheduled for May 17,18 & 24, 25, 2025. |  Blueprints in Motion: From Maya to Unreal EngineThis workshop teaches participants how to create interactive, real-time parametric design systems using Maya, Grasshopper, and Unreal Engine. The workshop is scheduled for Jun 21 & 22, 2025. |
6. La Muralla Roja – Calpe, Spain
On screen: The desert landscape of Tatooine © Star Wars
Real life: La Muralla Roja © Ricardo Bofill
7. MOCAPE – Shenzhen, China
On screen: The futuristic architecture of Canto Bight © Star Wars
Real life: MOCAPE © Coop Himmelb(l)au
8. Dongdaemun Design Plaza – Seoul, South Korea
On screen: Alien pods at Kamino © Star Wars, Wookipedia
Real life: Dongdaemun Design Plaza © Virgile Simon Bertrand Follow, ZHA
9. Milwaukee Art Museum – Milwaukee, USA
On screen: Alderaanian architecture © Star Wars
Real life: Milwaukee Art Museum
10. Dominus Winery – Napa Valley, USA
On screen: Jedi ruins © Star Wars
Real life: Dominus Winery © Herzog & de Meuron
 Artefacts of Growth: Biomorphic Structures in Cinema 4DThis workshop teaches architects and designers to create organic, parametric designs and renderings using Cinema 4D and Corona Renderer. The workshop is scheduled for Jun 21 & 22, 2025. |  Scripting Forms: Grasshopper3D & BlenderThis workshop focuses on creating and applying design languages using Rhino Grasshopper and Blender 3D Geometry Nodes. The workshop is scheduled for Jun 14 & 15, 2025. |