Have you ever seen a building that made you do a double take? Or one that just made you scratch your head in confusion? We’ve rounded up 15 of the world’s strangest buildings for your viewing pleasure.
From a building that looks like a giant toilet to one that looks like a giant manta ray, these buildings are sure to amaze and perplex you. So take a look and see for yourself just how weird the world of architecture can be!
The Crooked House (Sopot, Poland)
Sopot, Poland is home to one of the strangest buildings in the world – The Crooked House (Krzywy Domek). This building is said to be inspired by the fairytale houses of Hansel and Gretel, and it certainly looks like something out of a storybook!
The Crooked House is actually a shopping center and restaurant, and it’s definitely a unique place to visit. If you’re ever in Sopot, be sure to check out this strange and wonderful building!
The Basket Building (Ohio, USA)
The Basket Building is a strange and unique building located in Ohio, USA. This building was originally built in the early 1900s as a storage facility for the Longaberger Company, which is a local company that produces baskets and other home decor items.
The building is seven stories tall and is shaped like a giant basket! The building has been featured in many magazines and newspapers, and is a popular tourist destination. The Basket Building is definitely one of the strangest and most unique buildings in the world!
The Cube House (Rotterdam, Netherlands)
The Cube House is a group of unique buildings that have been designed in the shape of cubes. The houses are located in the Kop van Zuid district of Rotterdam and were designed by Dutch architect, Piet Blom.
The houses are built on top of each other and are supported by stilts. The stilts allow for each house to have its own private garden. The houses are also connected to each other by bridges, which gives the impression that they are floating in the air.
The Cube House have become a tourist attraction in Rotterdam and have been featured in many films and TV shows. If you are ever in the area, they are definitely worth a visit!
The Stone House (Portugal)
The Stone House located in Fafe, Portugal, is an incredible and unique structure built in 1972 by engineer Guimaraes using four giant stones he discovered nearby. It has become known as the “Castle of Stone” and has become an iconic structure, admired all over the world.
The Stone House located in Fafe, acts as a quaint museum and tourist attraction. However, it was originally built as a rural retreat for a family and only became open to the public after they decided to move out. Visitors should always be aware that it is still private property and should check that it is open before arriving.
The Lotus Temple (Delhi, India)
The Lotus Temple in Delhi, India is one of the strangest buildings in the world. It’s an odd mix of traditional Indian architecture and modern, futuristic design. The result is a unique and eye-catching structure that’s sure to stand out in any cityscape.
The Lotus Temple was built in 1986 and is currently the largest Baha’i house of worship in the world. The lotus flower is a symbol of the Baha’i faith, and the temple’s design is meant to represent the unfolding of a lotus blossom.
The building is made up of 27 free-standing marble petals arranged in nine concentric circles. These petals create a series of arches that support the temple’s central dome. The Lotus Temple is open to people of all faiths, and it’s a popular tourist destination in Delhi. Visitors can explore the temple’s beautiful gardens and take in the stunning views from the top of the central dome.
The Gherkin (London, England)
The Gherkin, also known as 30 St Mary Axe, is a skyscraper in London’s financial district. It was completed in December 2003 and has become one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
The building’s distinctive shape has made it a popular target for photographers and its height has made it a popular vantage point for views of the city. The Gherkin was designed by Norman Foster and is owned by Swiss Re. It has 41 floors and is 180 metres (591 ft) tall.
The building has a steel frame with a double-skin facade of glass and stainless steel. The outer skin is curved and the inner skin is straight, giving the building its distinctive shape. The building is divided into three zones: a public zone on the ground floor, a transition zone on the floors above, and a private zone on the upper floors.
The Atomium (Brussels, Belgium)
The Atomium is a strange and wonderful sight in Brussels, Belgium. This building, which was constructed for the 1958 World’s Fair, is made up of nine giant spheres connected by tubes. It’s an incredible sight, and it’s definitely one of the strangest buildings in the world.
The Atomium was designed by architect André Waterkeyn. It’s made of steel and aluminum, and it stands 102 meters tall. The nine spheres are each 18 meters in diameter, and they’re connected by 20 meter long tubes. The spheres represent atoms, and the whole structure is meant to represent an iron crystal.
The Atomium is open to the public, and it’s a popular tourist destination. There are escalators and elevators inside that take visitors to the top, where there are incredible views of Brussels. There are also a few restaurants inside, and it’s a popular place to host events.
The Casa da Musica (Porto, Portugal)
There’s no shortage of strange buildings around the world. But the Casa da Musica in Porto, Portugal might just take the cake. Designed by world-renowned architect Rem Koolhaas, the building is an absolute behemoth. It’s massive, angular, and just downright strange.
But despite its strange appearance, the Casa da Musica is one of the most popular buildings in Portugal. It’s a concert hall, and it’s home to the Orquestra Nacional do Porto. The building has been praised for its acoustics and its architecture. It’s definitely a sight to behold. And if you’re ever in Porto, it’s definitely worth a visit.
The Dancing House (Prague, Czech Republic)
The Dancing House, also known as the Fred and Ginger House, is a building in Prague designed by Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić in collaboration with Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry on a vacant riverfront plot. The building was designed in 1992 and completed in 1996.
The building’s deconstructed style is a departure from the traditional architecture of Prague, which is dominated by Neo-Classical and Baroque buildings. The Dancing House is one of the city’s most controversial buildings, and has been nicknamed “Fred and Ginger” after the American dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
The building’s design is based on the concept of two dancers, a man and a woman, tango-ing on a small square dance floor. The two dancers are represented by two glass-enclosed towers, one curved and one angular, which are connected at the top by a bridge. The bridge is supported by a steel frame, which also forms the building’s external skeleton.
The Farnsworth House (Plano, Illinois, USA)
Designed by famed architect Mies van der Rohe, the Farnsworth House is one of the most iconic examples of modernist architecture. But it’s also one of the strangest buildings in the world.
Situated in a remote rural area of Illinois, the Farnsworth House is a completely isolated structure, surrounded by nothing but farmland. It’s also incredibly minimalist in design, with a stark rectangular shape and large expanses of glass.
But the most unusual thing about the Farnsworth House is its construction. The entire structure is supported by just eight slender columns, giving it the appearance of floating above the ground.
Despite its strange appearance, the Farnsworth House is widely considered to be a masterpiece of modern architecture. It’s been featured in numerous films and TV shows, and is now a popular tourist destination.
The Flintstones House (Malibu, California, USA)
The Flintstones House is one of the strangest buildings in the world. Located in Malibu, California, USA, this house is made entirely out of stone. That’s right, the entire house is made out of stone, from the foundation to the roof.
The Flintstones House was designed by architect William Nicholson and built in 1976. It was inspired by the television show The Flintstones, which was popular at the time. The house is three stories tall and has a total of four bedrooms and four bathrooms.
The Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao, Spain)
Designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain is one of the most unique and interesting buildings in the world. The museum’s exterior is covered in titanium panels that reflect the light and create a constantly changing appearance.
The interior of the museum is just as fascinating, with a series of interconnected galleries that showcase a variety of modern and contemporary art.
The La Pedrera (Barcelona, Spain)
Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera, is one of the most iconic buildings in Barcelona, Spain. It was designed by renowned architect Antoni Gaudi and completed in 1910.
The building is distinguished by its undulating stone facade and wrought-iron balconies, and it is considered a masterpiece of modern architecture. Its unique design has made it a popular tourist attraction, and it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Trellick Tower (London, England)
When it comes to strange buildings, the Trellick Tower in London is up there. This bizarre building was designed by Hungarian architect Erno Goldfinger and completed in 1963. It’s located in the posh neighborhood of Mayfair, and it’s definitely one of the most eye-catching buildings in the area.
The building is made up of two towers that are connected by a skybridge. The towers are made of concrete and glass, and they’re covered in strange geometric patterns. The overall effect is pretty eerie, and it’s no wonder that the building has been used in a number of horror movies over the years.
The Igloo Village (Kirchberg, Austria)
Kirchberg, Austria is home to the Igloo Village, a collection of strange and unique buildings that look like they belong in a different world. The village is made up of dozens of igloos, each one different from the next. Some of the igloos are decorated with colorful lights, while others are more simple and understated.
The Igloo Village is a popular tourist destination, and it’s easy to see why. The village is unlike anything else in the world, and it’s a great place to enjoy the winter scenery. If you’re looking for a unique and memorable experience, the Igloo Village is definitely worth a visit.
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