A home is usually associated with comfort. A four-sided brick wall with a simple roof on top. However, every few centuries a human comes along and decides to change this narrative. Let’s explore some architectural geniuses who were bent on designing not just houses but masterpieces.
Krzywy Domek – SOPOT, POLAND
Nothing screams truly European like an irregularly shaped building. The krzywy domek was designed by Szotyńscy & Zaleski. The duo hails from Poland. It is said the Krzywy domek was inspired by fairytale illustrations and artistic illustrations of Jan Marcin Szancerand Per Dahlberg.
SPHERICAL TREE HOUSES – QUALICUM, BRITISH COLUMBIA
These treehouses are regarded as one of the most unique accommodation spaces in the world. They are handcrafted spheres that lay in the midst of ropes supported by trees or “a unicorn in a field of horses” as some would say.
222 HOUSE – PEMBROKESHIRE, WALES
Built by a firm called Future Systems in 1994, this house mirrors what the firm represents “the future.” It adopts a unique design as it is built into the ground, in order to merge with the landscape of the area. A benefit of its design concept allows it to shield the home from wind, and save energy.
THE LEAF HOUSE – ANGRA DOS REIS, BRAZIL
This unique house was created by Mareines and Patalano Architecture. The building was inspired by Brazil’s Indian architecture which suits the hot and humid climate it has. The roof of the building resembles a giant flower with six petals, integrating seamlessly with the surroundings. This allows for the free flow of wind from the beach to all parts of the building.
AIRPLANE HOUSE – MIZIARA, LEBANON
What do you think living inside an airplane would feel like? A Lebanese couple built a replica of the Airbus A380 in Miziara, Lebanon. Miziara has a huge collection of buildings with unique historical designs so it’s no surprise that this exists there.
THE CROCODILE HOUSE – COTE D’IVOIRE ABIDJAN
Thierry Atta’s masterful creation, inspired by his apprenticeship under artist Moussa Kalo, brings forth the Crocodile House in Abidjan. A massive smiling crocodile hollowed out to house livable spaces within its reptilian body, stands as a testament to art’s transformative power. Windows and amenities are cleverly integrated, making it both a functional abode and a striking work of art.
THE MUSHROOM HOUSE – PERINTON, NEW YORK
For a building constructed between 1970 and 1972, it looks like an ultramodern creation, and like it’s straight out of a Disney fairytale. This whimsically odd creation is no ordinary abode, it’s a mushroom house. The exterior mirrors the cap of a mushroom, and it’s wonderful to look at.
UPSIDE DOWN HOUSE – TRASSENHEIDE, GERMANY
Imagine walking through a neighborhood and suddenly stumbling upon a house that looks like it’s defying gravity. Say hello to the Upside Down House! This mind-boggling creation was born out of pure “let’s do something different” vibes, courtesy of Klaudiusz Golos and Sebastion Mikuciuk. The World Stands on its Head is the official name of this head-spinning project, where even the rooms inside are playing tricks on your senses – everything’s upside down!
BEER CAN HOUSE – HOUSTON, TEXAS
In 1968, John Milkovisch decided to turn his love for beer into a unique architectural masterpiece. Picture this: beer cans glinting in the sunlight like garlands, beer bottles transformed into walls casting colorful shadows, and stacks of bottles repurposed into fences.
THE NAUTILUS – MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
Architect Javier Senosiain took inspiration from the wonders of the ocean to craft this shell-shaped wonder. Embracing the concept of “Bio-Architecture,” this house brings organic forms into the architectural spotlight, creating harmony with nature. It’s like living inside a giant, seashell-shaped hug!
TWISTED HOUSE – INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
Hold on to your hats as we twist our way to Indianapolis, Indiana, where a cedar wood sculpture takes center stage. Depicting a tall house bent on its side, it’s not just a house; it’s a visual delight that interacts with the forest floor.
THE PICKLE BARREL HOUSE – GRAND MARIAS, MICHIGAN
Let’s journey back in time to 1926 in Grand Marais, Michigan, where cartoonist William Donahey decided that regular cabins were just too ordinary. Enter the Pickle Barrel House – a two-story cabin built from, you guessed it, two barrels.
CRAZY HOUSE – DALAT, VIETNAM
A surreal hotel that looks like it jumped straight out of a fantasy novel, it’s not just a place to stay; it’s an immersive experience. Every nook and cranny challenges traditional architectural norms which makes it a playground for everyone’s imagination.
THE HELIDOME – COSSWILLER, FRANCE
Hold on tight as we ascend to Cossywiller, France, where the Helidome defies gravity and embraces the sun. Designed as a giant three-dimensional sundial, this bio-climatic solar house is set on a fixed angle, dancing with the sun’s movements. It’s not just a house; it’s a celestial timekeeper.
AUTO RESIDENCE – SALZBURG, AUSTRIA
The Auto Residence, built with an energy-efficient system, is not just about sustainability – it’s also about looking as crazy as its facade. Why settle for a regular house when you can have one that looks like it belongs on a racetrack?
TOILET SHAPED HOUSE – SUWON, KOREA
This is not just a house, it is the largest toilet sculpture in Korea. This building represents more than what it looks like. It was built by Sim Jae-duck, former Mayor of Suwon, who was born in a toilet at his grandparent’s house, which influenced his lifelong focus on promoting healthy latrines. It is not just a giant toilet, it is “a house to satisfy anxiety.”
CUBE HOUSES – ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
Next stop, Rotterdam, where architect Piet Blom decided that houses don’t have to be boxy – they can be cubes! Kubuswoningen, or Cube Houses, is a cluster of innovative homes designed in 1984. You can actually stay in one of these tilted cube rooms because why not make your stay as quirky as your surroundings?
THE BUBBLE HOUSE – CANNES, FRANCE
Who said bubbles are just for baths? This building was designed by the diploma-less rebel, Antti Lovag, in 1975, this sprawling residence covers over 1200 square meters. Each of its 10 suites was decorated by a different artist, turning the Bubble House into a living, breathing art gallery.
THE STEEL HOUSE – RANSOM CANYON, TEXAS
This remarkable piece of architecture created by Robert Bruno shows that art has no bounds even in the realm of building construction. This house was constructed between 1973 and 1996, and it contains more tons of steel than you can find in any regular-sized house.
THE WINCHESTER MYSTERY HOUSE – SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA
Have you ever heard of an architectural ghostbuster? This Queen Anne-style Victorian mansion is not your average haunted house. Constructed haphazardly, with doors that lead to nowhere, windows peeking into other rooms, and staircases that defy logic, it’s a labyrinthine masterpiece.
