In the course of our daily reporting, we often uncover unusual projects, places, or connections that don't make the final cut. Instead of keeping it to ourselves, we're pleased to share our weekly Architrivia.

The unorthodox designs of French architect Jean Nouvel often provoke strong reactions. The Pritzker Prize-winning architect has left his mark on cities around the world in imaginative and daring ways, perhaps no more so than in Barcelona. Climbing to a height of 144 metres and spanning 35 levels, Torre Agbar became an instant landmark for the Spanish city when it was completed in 2004. 

Torre Agbar by night, image by Flickr user Jimmy Baikovicius via Creative Commons

Nouvel wanted to think outside the box. He rejected the typical rectilinear designs of North American office skyscrapers, instead opting for a cylindrical tower with a rounded top. Because its tenant was a water services company, Nouvel decided to recreate the image of a geyser erupting from the depths of the sea. The building is a vivid spectacle day and night. Its multicoloured facade is amplified when the sun sets and thousands of LED devices illuminate the structure's envelope.