Architecture has always been a means of expressing creativity and innovation. Some buildings are known for their unique designs that stand out from the rest. Here are ten such buildings that are the most unusual in the world. From the Basket Building in Ohio, the Dancing House in Prague, the Crooked House in Poland, to the Piano House in China, Upside Down House in Poland, the Bubble House in France, Habitat 67 in Canada, the Hundertwasser House in Austria, the Stone House in Portugal, and the Forest Spiral in Germany. These buildings are architectural marvels that are unique and awe-inspiring. They prove that a building can be more than just a place to live or work, but a work of art that captivates, motivates and amazes people.
The 10 Most Unusual Buildings in the World
From towering skyscrapers to historic landmarks, architecture has always been an important aspect of human innovation and creativity. However, there are some buildings that stand out from the rest due to their unique designs and striking appearances. Here are the ten most unusual buildings in the world.
1. The Basket Building, USA
Located in Newark, Ohio, the Basket Building is a seven-story structure that is shaped like an enormous picnic basket. It was built in 1997 by Dave Longaberger, the founder of Longaberger Basket Company, as the company’s headquarters. The basket was originally painted with Longaberger’s signature logo and completed with two handles on the roof. It was later sold, and the handles were removed in 2016.
2. The Dancing House, Czech Republic
Also known as the Fred and Ginger building, the Dancing House in Prague, Czech Republic, was designed by architects Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry. The building’s contemporary design stands in stark contrast to the Baroque, Gothic, and Art Nouveau buildings that surround it. The building resembles a pair of dancers, with the glass and steel structures representing their bodies.
3. The Crooked House, Poland
The Crooked House, also known as Krzywy Domek, is located in Sopot, Poland. The building was designed by architects Szotyńscy & Zaleski in 2004, and it was inspired by the works of Per Dahlberg, a Swedish artist. The Crooked House was intended to be a shopping center, and it features a crooked appearance with seemingly wavy walls and roofs.
4. The Piano House, China
The Piano House in Huainan, China, was built in 2007 and designed by architectural students at the Hefei University of Technology. The building is shaped like a grand piano, and there is a violin-shaped entrance that leads to a staircase. The building’s outside walls are painted with musical notes and symbols, and the space inside is used as a community center and music school.
5. Upside Down House, Poland
Upside Down House, or Dom Do Gory Nogami, is located in the village of Szymbark, Poland. The house was built in 2007 and designed by Daniel Czapiewski, a Polish businessman. The unique feature of this building is that everything inside is upside down. The house is a two-story structure with the roof resting on the ground.
6. The Bubble House, France
The Bubble House, or Palais Bulles, is located in Cannes, France. The building is a series of bubble-shaped structures designed by Hungarian architect Antti Lovag. The house was commissioned by French fashion designer Pierre Cardin in 1975 and completed in 1984. The bubble theme extends into the interior, with curved walls and furniture to match.
7. The Habitat 67, Canada
The Habitat 67 in Montreal, Canada, was designed by Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie in 1967. The building was initially designed as a housing complex for the 1967 World Expo, but it has since been repurposed into a luxury condominium complex. The cubist structure features 354 identical concrete forms arranged in various combinations.
8. Hundertwasser House, Austria
The Hundertwasser House in Vienna, Austria, is an apartment building designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The building features a patchwork of colorful tiles, undulating floors, and trees growing out of its balconies. Hundertwasser was known for his incorporation of natural forms and imperfect shapes into his buildings, and this structure is one of his most famed works.
9. The Stone House, Portugal
The Stone House, also known as Casa do Penedo or “House of Stone,” is located in Fafe, Portugal. The house was built between four large boulders, using the rocks as walls and the boulders themselves as interior components of the house, such as the fireplace and beds. The house serves as a private vacation home and is a popular tourist spot.
10. The Forest Spiral, Germany
The Waldspirale, or Forest Spiral, in Darmstadt, Germany, is an apartment building designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The building’s exterior features a vibrant color scheme and organic forms, with curving structures and asymmetrical columns. The building also features a large, tree-lined courtyard and a rooftop garden.
These ten unusual buildings showcase the creativity and innovation of architects and designers around the world. They serve as a reminder that buildings can be more than just places to live or work – they can be works of art that inspire, delight, and surprise us.