If you’re familiar with the TV series ‘How I Met Your Mother’, you’ll recall the recurring theme of character doppelgangers throughout the show. These lookalikes often presented contrasting versions of the original characters. Similarly, architecture doppelgangers exist in the world around us.

Just as humans have doppelgangers, so does art. While every artistic creation is known to draw inspiration from another, sometimes intentionally or coincidentally, some art pieces have an uncanny resemblance. In any case, spotting a doppelganger can be fun.

Let’s explore some of the famous architectural lookalikes worldwide and the stories behind them.

Eiffel Tower and Tokyo Tower

Undoubtedly, the conversation about architectural similarities worldwide cannot start without mentioning the Eiffel Tower and the Tokyo Tower.

The Eiffel Tower stands as one of the most recognizable structures in Paris and has come to symbolize France. After 107 other designs were submitted, Gustave Eiffel’s design was chosen for the construction of the fabled tower, which began on January 8, 1887.

The Tokyo Tower, a landmark for the global city where it’s located, is just as easily recognizable as the Eiffel Tower is for Paris. The communications tower was constructed using the Eiffel Tower as a model by Japanese architect Tach? Nait?, who is regarded as a pioneer of earthquake-resistant construction. Today, the red and white steel tower not only illuminates the night sky but also transmits programming for over 20 radio stations.

The Palazzo Pitti in Florence and The Residenz Palace in Munich

In the mid-15th century, an ambitious merchant named Luca Pitti envisioned a palace that would symbolize his wealth and influence, rivalling all others in Florence. In 1458, architect Filippo Brunelleschi brought Pitti’s dreams to reality with a design featuring rough-hewn stone blocks on its fa?ade, giving it a fortress-like appearance typical of Florentine nobility homes. Unfortunately, construction came to an abrupt halt in the 1460s due to financial difficulties. Decades later, around 1549, Eleonora of Toledo saw potential in the unfinished palace. She resumed construction, and it went on to become a symbol of Medici power and elegance.

Meanwhile, in Munich, the earliest parts of a royal palace on the site of the Residenz date back to the 14th century, with several monarchs constructing new wings, courtyards, and expansions over the ages. Rebuilt during the reign of King Ludwig I (1825?1848), the K?nigsbau, also known as the King’s Building, closely mimics the Medici palace. This similarity is no mystery, as Ludwig I specifically instructed his court architect, Leo von Klenze, to design it based on the Florentine palace. Another model that Klenze studied was the Palazzo Rucellai, also in Florence.

The Taj Mahal, Agra, India and Bibi Ka Maqbara, Aurangabad, India

One is a symbol of love and the other of ambition. The Taj Mahal (1631-54) was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz. It still shines bright with its white marble fa?ade and is considered one of the top tourist attractions in India.

Although the Taj Mahal has many buildings that look alike globally, with architects trying to mirror its excellence, none are as legendary as the original. The closest lookalike can be considered the Bibi Ka Maqbara.

When Aurangzeb started building the Bibi Ka Maqbara, he was the governor of the Deccan region. Mughal tradition held that the heir who demonstrated the most aptitude would inherit the kingdom, rather than the firstborn. As a result, Aurangzeb used the construction of the Bibi Ka Maqbara as a means of expressing his desire to rule over his two brothers as emperor.

The Palace of Versailles and the Sch?nbrunn Palace in Vienna

A striking similarity exists in both appearance and the stories behind these two iconic building twins. The Palace of Versailles, located just outside Paris, was originally envisioned by Louis XIII as a hunting lodge where he could escape the pressures of court life. Later, his son Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, expanded and embellished the palace with the help of great artists like architect Louis Le Vau, painter Charles Le Brun, and landscape architect Andr? Le N?tre. By 1682, Versailles had become the seat of the French government, attracting visitors with its opulent Hall of Mirrors.

In Vienna, the story of Sch?nbrunn Palace begins with a similar humble origin?a hunting lodge. It underwent a transformation during the reign of Maria Theresa in the 18th century. Under her direction, the palace blossomed into a magnificent summer residence for the rulers of the Habsburg Empire, adorned with opulent rooms and surrounded by exquisite gardens.

Empire State Building, USA and Reynolds Building, North Carolina, USA

The 1,250-foot Empire State Building won the title of ‘World’s Tallest Building’ in 1931 and held it for an impressive 41 years. The Art Deco skyscraper featured an innovative and modern design.

However, the spectacular skyscraper isn’t entirely original. Historical accounts claim that the architects, Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, based the upper structure of their masterpiece on another of their designs: the considerably smaller Reynolds Building in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, completed in 1929. Conversely, the base is essentially a replica of the Cincinnati Carew Tower.

The Ronchamp Chapel, France and the Chinese copy in Zhengzhou

As we talk about architectural replicas around the globe, some examples tend to be controversial due to rights violations. Paul Gauguin, a well-known French post-impressionist, once stated, “Art is either plagiarism or revolution,” and it’s unlikely that this copy would fall into the latter group. Well-known architect Le Corbusier’s original Ronchamp Chapel may truly be considered a work of innovative architecture. 

The Christian Chapel was nearly identical to the original, down to the unusual floor design and sloping roof. It received a mixed response, while some appreciated the mimicking ability of the architect, some critics argued it added nothing to the original design. As a result, it was demolished after the Corbusier Foundation sued them. 

Sources

• https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/13-most-impressive-architectural-twins-around-the-world/
• https://rmjm.com/the-five-best-architectural-imitations-ever/
• https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2020/08/why-every-city-feels-same-now/615556/
• https://www.ixigo.com/did-you-know-about-these-doppelgangers-of-famous-architectural-pieces-story-1131772