If you’re planning on hitting the road this Memorial Day weekend (last year, 31 million people did), then the thought of stopping for gas is probably a bit of a buzz kill. While we can’t do anything about the prices at the pump, we would like to point out that it can be an aesthetically pleasing experience; in fact, over the years some of the world’s most famous architects — from Mies van der Roh to Norman Foster — have built what we consider to be beautiful gas stations. Click through to check out 10 of our favorite examples, and leave your own suggestions in the comments.
Esso Station in Nun’s Island, Montreal, Quebec – Design by Mies van der Roh
Photo credit: Bas Kegge
The R.W. Lindholm Service Station in Cloquet, Minnesota – Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
© Minnesota Historical Society
The Teapot Dome Service Station in Zillah, Washington – Designed by Jack Ainsworth
Photo courtesy of National Park Service
United Oil Gasoline Station in Los Angeles, California – Designed by Kanner Architect
Image via ArchDaily
Skovshoved Gas Station in Copenhagen, Denmark – Designed by Arne Jacobsen
Image via
Helios House in Los Angeles, California – Designed by Office dA, Johnston Marklee, BIG Architecture
Image via Architizer
Repsol Service Stations in Spain – Designed by Foster + Partners
The Jack Colker Union 96 Gas Station in Los Angeles, California – Designed by Gin Wong Associates
Shell Station in Strandvagen, Sweden – Designed by Peter Celsing
Photo credit: Hagen Stier
NP Gas Station in Madrid, Spain – Designed by Moneo-Brock
Photo via ArchDaily
