Episode 1/26

@ Cuter Scooter
Nida Spide and Hoppy now know where to find Fantastic Buildings, as they have been given a free map! Before unfolding it, they read the cover:
Quirk
Whether climbing up ladders or slithering down snakes, your pet is in for a fantastic tour of all that is quirky in architecture and style! Whether it's a house on its head, a twisted spiral of a building or more staid iconic design, your pet will have a hard time choosing which one would be the best to live in!
Cuter Scooter
This fun mode of transport with its simple design makes it so easy and fun to hop on board and vroom off to wherever your fancy takes you! Its distinctive red colour makes it easy to spot when you return from the shops all ready to go back home.

Episode 2/26

@ Beacon of Glass Lights
While Nida Spide paused to drink in the view, Athena started scrabbling in her rucksack for her portable, foldable camping chair. “What are you doing with that, Athena?” asked Nida Spide. “We’ll need to get going in a minute or we’ll be left behind!”
Beacon of Glass Lights
Do we underestimate the role that colour plays in architecture? Most buildings are neutral in colour and designed to blend in with other equally colourless structures. A design which doesn’t fit in with this standard is very refreshing and lifts the spirits! The coloured glass panels of this facade create an amazing and unique design.

Episode 3/26

@ A different Slant on Things
“Let’s pose with one of us each side of this attraction and I’ll set the self-timer to take a shot,” said Nida Spide to Soxy. “It’ll be a fab souvenir of our time here!”
A different Slant on Things
This is an eye-catching building that lets in a lot of natural light. Its angular blocks are complementary colours, providing the maximum contrast between the orange and blue.

Episode 4/26

@ Lotus Temple
“Gosh, what do you make of this one, Nida Spide?” asked Maybelle.
Nida Spide considered the matter. “Well, it's very striking, I'll say that for it! she replied.
Lotus Temple
This temple in New Delhi, India uses the design of the sacred lotus, nelumbo nucifera, an aquatic plant that plays a central role in the art of Indian religions.

Episode 5/26

@ Zen Interior
“This design is very ... interesting, isn't it, Nida Spide?” asked Baile Átha Cliath.
“Yes, yes, I was just thinking that—it's ... interesting... yes," replied Nida Spide.
Zen Interior
A traditional Japanese interior with a calming view over a still pond.

Episode 6/26

@ Parapluies Joyeux
Nida Spide opened her rucksack to change her hat. Tester 3 could see Nida Spide had a large, floppy sunhat, a balaclava, a rain hat, a woolly bobble hat, a beanie, a deerstalker hat and a swimming cap! “Did you bring a fez too?” Tester 3 asked Nida Spide.
Parapluies Joyeux
Even on the rainiest and greyest day these colourful umbrellas will give a lift to the spirits!

Episode 7/26

@ Utterly Shutterly
“What have you got in your tote bag, BERT?” asked Nida Spide. “It looks very full!” “I’ve come prepared for anything, Nida Spide,” responded BERT. “There’s deck shoes, snowshoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, flippers, walking boots, Wellington boots—you name it, I’ve got it!”
Utterly Shutterly
Strong colour contrasts give these shutters maximum impact against the background wall.

Episode 8/26

@ Seaside Delight
"This leg of the tour has certainly opened my eyes to the different kinds of architecture all over the world, Nida Spide," remarked Wawatay. "We shouldn't get set in our ways just because it's the only way we've seen it done."
Seaside Delight
These darling terraced cottages painted in shell pink with adorable bay windows are the perfect place to stay during your holiday at the seaside! Take a walk along the promenade and admire the snail-shell street lamps.

Episode 9/26

@ Top Class Glass
Nida Spide is enjoying Fantastic Buildings when Lars comes along. "Look! A special prize!" says Lars. Nida Spide looks down and sees something valuable. Lars generously lets Nida Spide keep it!
Flagstone Patio
Smooth irregular-shaped gray stones make geometric patterns in this lovely flagstone patio.
Top Class Glass
Glass is the top choice for the facades of iconic high-rise buildings! Not only is it super-stylish but it maximises natural daylight which is beneficial for employee health productivity.

Episode 10/26

@ Balcony Alchemy
“Do you think the people who wanted this building told the architect what to build, Nida Spide?” asked Mimi.
Nida Spide pondered the matter while surveying the structure in question. “Well, why would you hire an architect and then tell him what to build?” she queried.
"I think that's very profound, Nida Spide. Why indeed?" said Mimi.
Balcony Alchemy
These darling curved balconies adorn the classically arched windows of this canal dwelling which is painted coral, beautifully toning with the red brick of the ground floor below.

Episode 11/26

@ Cobble Wobble
“It's a pity we can't carry out the tour on one of those scooters, Nida Spide” remarked LILJE.
“Yes, that would be awesome, but we'll get good exercise under our own steam.” replied Nida Spide.
Cobble Wobble
Paving with cobblestones, or setts as here, which are regularly sized, flatter cobbles, allows a road to be heavily used all year long. There is the added advantage of immediately draining water, and not getting muddy in wet weather or dusty in dry weather. Shod horses are also able to get better traction on stone cobbles or setts than tarmac or asphalt. The fact that carriage wheels, horse hooves and even modern automobiles make a lot of noise when rolling over cobblestone paving has the paradoxical advantage of warning pedestrians of their approach. In England in former times, the custom was to spread straw over the cobbles outside the house of a sick or dying person to dampen the sound of carriage wheels going over them.

Episode 12/26

@ Interior Chic
"When we get back I'm going to go to the library and see if Mrs Eucalyptus can recommend a book about architecture," said Nemo. "I've realised how little I know about it."
Nida Spide thought about this. "Good scheme!" she said. "Although—some of these ones we've seen so far, you know, what heading would they come under?"
Interior Chic
This colourful interior is modern and ultra-stylish! Despite the strong hues and bold floor, the overall effect is uncluttered and relaxing.

Episode 13/26

@ Elevated Entrance
"It's amazing the difference colour makes to a design, isn't it?" remarked Nida Spide.
"It certainly is! We're certainly seeing a lot of different colours in use on this tour!" replied Marty Mole.
Elevated Entrance
This old-fashioned exterior exudes charm! Steps are not merely the entrance to our houses. In warm, sunny weather we sit on them, watching the world go by, chatting with neighbours, or simply sipping a cold, iced drink. Front steps are the first welcome that guests receive to our house. They need to be sturdy and in good condition, but they don't have to be boring! They should be just as attractive as the rest of our home's exterior. But the aesthetics of front steps are often overlooked by homeowners, possibly because they're so functional.

Episode 14/26

@ Show Window
"When we get back I'm going to go to the library and see if Mrs Eucalyptus can recommend a book about architecture," said Petunia. "I've realised how little I know about it."
Nida Spide thought about this. "Good scheme!" she said. "Although—some of these ones we've seen so far, you know, what heading would they come under?"
Show Window
Such über-stylish windows, with an attractive brown and orange stripe design to the walls.

Episode 15/26

@ Little Boxes
“This design is very ... interesting, isn't it, Nida Spide?” asked Poppy.
“Yes, yes, I was just thinking that—it's ... interesting... yes," replied Nida Spide.
Little Boxes
Little boxes on the hillside
Little boxes made of ticky tacky
Little boxes, Little boxes, Little boxes all the same
There's a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same
And the people in the houses all go to the university
And they all get put in boxes, little boxes all the same
And there's doctors and there's lawyers
And business executives
And they're all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same
And they all play on the golf course and drink their martini dry
And they all have pretty children and the children go to school
And the children go to summer camp
And then to the university
And they all get put in boxes, and they all come out the same
And the boys go into business and marry and raise a family
And they all get put in boxes, little boxes all the same
[Malvina Reynolds, 1962]

Episode 16/26

@ Silver Sails
"It's amazing the difference colour makes to a design, isn't it?" remarked Nida Spide.
"It certainly is! We're certainly seeing a lot of different colours in use on this tour!" replied Mousey.
Silver Sails
The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, CA. It opened in 2003.

Episode 17/26

@ A New Twist on Things
Nida Spide is admiring some Fantastic Buildings when Trix comes along. "Look! Another special prize!" says Trix. Nida Spide looks down and sees it. Trix generously lets Nida Spide keep it!
Cobblestone Patio
Rounded gray-blue stones make a bumpy surface in this lovely cobblestone patio.
A New Twist on Things
Moscow International Business Centre. Still under construction, this site contains some of the tallest buildings in Europe. The site is located 2½ miles from Red Square. Before construction began, the site was an industrial zone, where most of the buildings were old factories that had been closed or abandoned.

Episode 18/26

@ Jenga Stack
“It's a good job we don't have to climb all these ladders in real life, isn't it, Nida Spide?” remarked Symphony.
“Yes, that would be quite tiring," replied Nida Spide. "But it would be fun to slide down all the snakes!"
Jenga Stack
Yikes! This building looks like a stack of coasters piled on top of each other and that one false move could send tumbling!

Episode 19/26

@ Topsy Turvy House
"It's amazing the difference colour makes to a design, isn't it?" remarked Nida Spide.
"It certainly is! We're certainly seeing a lot of different colours in use on this tour!" replied Snipsnap.
Topsy Turvy House
Inverted houses are becoming all the rage! The wooden structure promises visitors a zero-gravity illusion experienced in a safe and family-friendly environment. Take photos of yourself walking on the ceiling, rotate by 180° and post on Petbook!

Episode 20/26

@ Yellow Stick Road
Nida Spide and HOot were entranced at reaching this stopping place and eagerly posed for a picture standing on either side of the new attraction they had just seen!
Yellow Stick Road
This contemporary and stylish yellow staircase lets you look up the stairwell right up to the sky above.

Episode 21/26

@ Stair Pair
“Let’s pose with one of us each side of this attraction and I’ll set the self-timer to take a shot,” said Nida Spide to Dizzy. “It’ll be a fab souvenir of our time here!”
Stair Pair
Two smart terraced houses with ornate fanlights situated in a residential square. Would you take the yellow door or the blue door?

Episode 22/26

@ Red Telephone Box
Nida Spide opened her rucksack to change her hat. Sebastian could see Nida Spide had a large, floppy sunhat, a balaclava, a rain hat, a woolly bobble hat, a beanie, a deerstalker hat and a swimming cap! “Did you bring a fez too?” Sebastian asked Nida Spide.
Red Telephone Box
Britain's iconic red telephone box was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the winning design of a competition in 1924. The telephone box underwent several redesigns in subsequent years.

Episode 23/26

@ Candy Coloured Houses
Nida Spide and Garnet swapped notes on the amazing places they had seen so far.
"Have you seen one you'd like as your own house, Nida Spide?"
"Not yet, but they're all incredible in their own way!" said Nida Spide.
Candy Coloured Houses
A park of delicious candy coloured house facades.

Episode 24/26

@ Geometric Gentility
“Do you think all the other architects are kicking themselves for not thinking of this first, Nida Spide?” asked Sadie.
Geometric Gentility
An apartment block characterised by clean, angular lines and white colour. Residents bring some individuality to their dwellings by growing shrubs on their balconies.

Episode 25/26

@ Stepwell Stairways
Nida Spide is considering the merits of another Fantastic Building when Sweetie comes along. "Wow! That completes the set!" says Sweetie. Nida Spide is amazed to have collected all three items!
Brick Road (close-up)
Dark gray bricks make a durable road for light traffic (no motor vehicles allowed). If we allowed vehicles we'd have to charge a toll to earn revenue for maintenance.
Stepwell Stairways
A stepwell in Jaipur, India. Jaipur is the capital of India’s Rajasthan state. Stepwells are wells or ponds in which the water is reached by descending a set of steps to the water level. They are most common in western India.

Episode 26/26

@ Quirk
Nida Spide has seen enough buildings to plan her own town, and is tired out. Duchess agrees it is time to go home and discuss which building they would most like to live in!
Quirk
Whether climbing up ladders or slithering down snakes, your pet is in for a fantastic tour of all that is quirky in architecture and style! Whether it's a house on its head, a twisted spiral of a building or more staid iconic design, your pet will have a hard time choosing which one would be the best to live in!
Nida Spide has completed the quest! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can take part in "Fantastic Buildings"!